Lives of the Saints

Venerable Niketas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion

Venerable Niketas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion

Saint Niketas (Nikḗtas) the Confessor was born in Bithynian Caesarea (northwest Asia Minor) of a pious family. His mother died eight days after his birth, and his father Philaretos became a monk. The child remained in the care of his grandmother, who raised him in a true Christian spirit. From…

Holy Virgin Martyr Theodosίa of Tyre

Holy Virgin Martyr Theodosίa of Tyre

Saint Theodosίa of Tyre lived during the III and IV centuries. Once, during a persecution against Christians, which had already lasted for five years, the seventeen-year-old Theodosίa visited some condemned Christian prisoners in the Praetorium at Caesarea in Palestine. It was the day of Holy…

Saint Illyricus of Mount Myrsinon in the Peloponnesus

Saint Illyricus of Mount Myrsinon in the Peloponnesus

Saint Illyricus the Wonderworker devoted himself to ascetic struggles on Mount Myrsinon in the Peloponnesus. The dates of his birth and death are unknown.

Martyrs Elpidephorus, Dius, Bithonius, and Galycus

The Holy Martyrs Elpidephorus, Dius, Bithonius, and Galycus suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ. They cut off the head of Saint Elpidephorus with a sword, Saint Dius was executed by stoning, Saint Bithonius was drowned in the sea, and Saint Galycus was condemned to be eaten by wild beasts.

“Unfading Flower” Icon of the Mother of God

“Unfading Flower” Icon of the Mother of God

The "Unfading Flower" Icon depicts the Theotokos holding her Divine Son on her right arm, and in her left hand is a bouquet of white lilies. The lilies symbolize the unfading flower of virginity and purity of the Mother of God, to whom the Church sings: “You are the root of virginity and the…