Lives of the Saints

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

Today the Church remembers the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council under the holy Patriarch Tarasius (February 25). The Synod of 787, the second to meet at Nicea, refuted the Iconoclast heresy during the reign of Empress Irene and her son Constantine VI. The Council decreed that the…

Martyr Charitina of Amisos

Martyr Charitina of Amisos

Saint Charitina (Charitίnē) was from Amisos (Amisós) in Pontus and lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Orphaned at a young age, she became the servant of a noble Roman Christian named Claudianus, or Claudius, who brought her up as his own daughter. The young girl was very…

Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Moscow

Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Moscow

The celebration of a special Feast Day to honor Saints Peter, Alexei, and Jonah, Metropolitans and Wonderworkers of All Russia, was established by Patriarch Job on October 5, 1596. In 1875, Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, proposed that Saint Philip be included with the others. Saint…

Venerable Damian the Healer, Jeremiah, and Matthew, Clairvoyants, of the Kiev Caves

Venerable Damian the Healer, Jeremiah, and Matthew, Clairvoyants, of the Kiev Caves

Saints Damian the Presbyter and Healer, Jeremiah and Matthew, Clairvoyants of the Kiev Caves, Near Caves, were described by Saint Nestor the Chronicler (October 27). Saint Damian (+1071) remembered the Baptism of Rus (in year 988). The zealous imitator of Saint Theodosius (May 3) was gentle,…

Saint Charitina, Princess of Lithuania

Saint Charitina, Princess of Lithuania, nun of Novgorod, pursued asceticism in a Novgorod women’s monastery in honor of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, built on Sinich hill. Having resolved to dedicate her life to the Lord, she became a nun. For her virtuous life she was made Abbess of the…

Hieromartyr Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria

Hieromartyr Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria

Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, was the son of wealthy pagan parents. He converted to Christianity at a mature age, and became a pupil of Origen. Later, he was appointed as the head of Alexandria’s Catechetical School, and then became Bishop of Alexandria in the year 247. Saint…

Martyr Memelchtha of Persia

Martyr Memelchtha of Persia

The Martyr Memelchtha of Persia was, before her conversion to the Christian Faith, a pagan priestess of the goddess Artemis. The saint’s sister convinced her to accept Baptism. When the pagans saw Memelchtha in her white baptismal robe, they stoned her. The saint suffered in the year 344.…

Saint Gregory of Chandzoe, Georgia

Saint Gregory of Chandzoe, Georgia

Our Holy Father Gregory of Khandzta was raised in the court of the Kartlian ruler Nerse. His family was part of the Meskhetian aristocracy. He received an education befitting his family’s noble rank and displayed a special aptitude for the sciences and theology. The youth chosen by God was…

Venerable Eudokimos of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos

Nothing is known about the life and deeds of Venerable Eudokimos (Eudókimos) of Vatopedi. On October 5, 1840,1 the monks of the Athonite Monastery of Vatopedi were renovating the burial vault for the brethren. Suddenly, the roof collapsed, covering one of the corners of the vault. The monks began…

Righteous Methodia of Kimolos

Righteous Methodia of Kimolos

Saint Methodίa was born on the island of Kίmolos on November 10, 1865, to devout parents. Her father's name was Jacob Sardēs, and her mother's name was Maria. They had three sons and five daughters, the second of whom was called Irene. From childhood the Saint was drawn to divine things and…

Venerable Fathers and Mothers of the Klarjeti Wilderness

Venerable Fathers and Mothers of the Klarjeti Wilderness

For centuries the region of Tao-Klarjeti in southwestern Georgia was known for its holiness, unity and spiritual strength. The cultural life and faith of Kartli were nearly extinguished by the Arab-Muslim domination from the 8th to 10th centuries. Tao-Klarjeti, however, which had been emptied by a…