Lives of the Saints

Leavetaking of the Nativity of our Lord

Leavetaking of the Nativity of our Lord

Materials for the Leavetaking of the Nativity are taken from the service of the Feast day itself in the Menaion. The Scripture readings at Liturgy, however, are of the day, not of the Feast. The Prokeimenon, Alleluia verses, and Communion hymn are all of the Feast.

Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome

Venerable Melania the Younger of Rome

Saint Melania was born in Rome into a devout Christian family. Her parents, people of property and wealth, hoped that their daughter would marry and have children who would inherit their wealth. At fourteen years of age Melania was married to the illustrious youth Apinianus. From the very…

Venerable Cyriacus of Bisericani, Romania

Saint Kyriakos of Bisericani is one of Romania’s greatest ascetics, and in his life he resembled the great Fathers of the Egyptian desert. He lived in Bisericani Monastery at the beginning of the XVII century, which then had more than a hundred monks. Longing for a life of solitude, Saint…

Venerable Cyriacus of Tazlau, Romania

Although few people who honor the Saints are familiar with Saint Kyriakos (Chiriac) of Tazlău, his was a life of exceptional holiness. Believers from the surrounding area have maintained their respect for this chosen vessel, passing his name down from father to son. Saint Kyriakos was born into a…

Venerable Sabiana, Abbess of the Samtskhe Monastery

Venerable Sabiana, Abbess of the Samtskhe Monastery

The nuns of Georgian monasteries have historically been outstanding in their diligence. God entrusted them with the special duties of ceaseless prayer, fasting, needlework, and the raising of orphans. Nuns have been regarded as vessels of sanctity and wisdom, and even royalty would kneel before…

“Unfading Flower” Icon of the Mother of God at Ardatov

There is an Icon of the Mother of God with this name in Moscow, in the Dormition church of the Mogil'tsy. Another "Unfading Flower" Icon is in the third-class Ardatov women's monastery of the Protection, in the city of Ardatov, 50 versts from Arzamas. The Unfading Flower Icon shows the Mother of…