Lives of the Saints

Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Saint Joachim, the son of Barpathir, was of the tribe of Judah, and was a descendant of King David, to whom God had revealed that the Savior of the world would be born from his seed. Saint Anna was the daughter of Matthan the priest, who was of the tribe of Levi. Saint Anna’s family came from…

Martyr Severian of Sebaste

Martyr Severian of Sebaste

The Holy Martyr Severian (+ 320) suffered for Christ in Armenian Sebaste during the governorship of Licius, when Christians were persecuted under the emperor Licinius. Even before his martyr’s deed, Saint Severian had shown sincere compassion for 40 Christian soldiers, suffering for…

Venerable Joseph, Abbot of Volokolamsk, Volotsk

Venerable Joseph, Abbot of Volokolamsk, Volotsk

Saint Joseph of Volokolamsk, in the world John Sanin, was born on November 14, 1440 (1439 according to another source) in the village of Yazvisch-Pokrov, not far from the city of Volokolamsk. He was born into a pious family with his father named John (in monasticism Joannicius) and his mother…

Uncovering of the relics of Saint Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov

Uncovering of the relics of Saint Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov

Today we commemorate the glorification of Saint Theodosius on September 9, 1896, and the uncovering of his holy relics. Saint Theodosius is also commemorated on February 5.

Venerable Theophanes the Confessor and Faster of Mount Diabenos

Saint Theophanes, Confessor and Faster, was born into a family of pagans. In his youth Theophanes came to believe in Christ, was baptized and secretly left his pagan parents to go to Mount Dabis to an Elder, who had lived there in asceticism for seventy-five years. The ascetic taught the young man…

Blessed Nikḗtas the Hidden of Constantinople

Blessed Nikḗtas the Hidden of Constantinople

Saint Nikḗtas the Hidden lived at Constantinople and occupied the position of “chartolarium” (“letter-writer”). They call him “the Hidden,” because living in the world amid the bustle of the city, with secret exploits of faith, he attained spiritual perfection…

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Third Ecumenical Council

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Third Ecumenical Council

The Third Ecumenical Council was convened in the year 431 in the city of Ephesus (Asia Minor) during the reign of the emperor Theodosius the Younger (408-450). The Council was convened to investigate without further delay, the false teachings of Patriarch Nestorius of Constantinople (428-431).…

Saint Ciaran of Clonmacnoise

Saint Ciaran (Kieran), who has been described as a lamp shining with the light of knowledge, was born in 512 and raised in Connacht, Ireland. His father was a builder of chariots. He was one of eight children, at least two of whom also embraced the religious life. Saint Ciaran had a special…