Second Day of the Nativity of our Lord
On the day after the Nativity of Christ we celebrate the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos, and come together to give her glory and praise. This is the second day of the three day Winter Pascha.
Lives of the Saints
Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God
The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos: On the second day of the feast, the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated. Combining the hymns of the Nativity with those celebrating the Mother of God, the Church points to Mary as the one through whom the Incarnation was made possible. His…
Hieromartyr Euthymius the Bishop of Sardis
The Hieromartyr Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis, during the period of the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitos (780-797) and the empress Irene (797-802), was chosen Bishop of Sardis because of his virtuous life. He was also present at the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787), at which…
Venerable Constantine of Synnada
Saint Constantine of Synada, a native of the city of Synada and of Jewish descent. From his youth he was drawn to the Christian Faith. Careful study of the teachings of Christ set his heart aflame, and he left his parents to become a monk. He was baptized with the name Constantine and received…
Venerable Evarestus of the Studion Monastery
Saint Evarestus, a native of Galatia, was the son of illustrious parents. From his youth he longed for the monastic life, and in particular he loved to read the books of St Ephraim the Syrian. He went to the Studion monastery, pursuing asceticism in strict fasting, vigil and prayer, and wearing…
Venerable Nicodemus of Tishmana, Macedonia
No information available at this time
Hieromartyr Constantine the Russian of Lavra of Mt Athos
No information available at this time
Icon of the Mother of God of “Vilna”
The Vilensk-Ostrobramsk Icon “The Three Joys” is possibly of western origin, since it depicts the Mother of God, Christ, and St Joseph together. Normally, St Joseph is not depicted in close proximity with the Virgin and Child, since he was not Christ’s earthly father. In the icon…
Icon of the Mother of God “the Three Joys”
The Vilensk-Ostrobramsk Icon “The Three Joys” is possibly of western origin, since it depicts the Mother of God, Christ, and St Joseph together. Normally, St Joseph is not depicted in close proximity with the Virgin and Child, since he was not Christ’s earthly father. In the icon…
Icon of the Mother of God “the Blessed Womb”
There are at least four distinct types of the “Blessed Womb” Icon. The Barlov Icon is a variant of the Hodigitria Icon. It appeared on December 26, 1392, and it is in the Annunciation Catherdral in Moscow. The second example is similar to the “Milk-Giver” Icon (January 12),…
Venerable Isaac II of Optina
Saint Isaac II (Bobrikov) died as a martyr on December 26, 1938. The Moscow Patriarchate authorized local veneration of the Optina Elders on June 13,1996, glorifying them for universal veneration on August 7, 2000.