Lives of the Saints

Conception of the Honorable Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

Conception of the Honorable Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

The holy Prophet Malachi prophesied that before the Messiah’s birth His Forerunner would appear, and would indicate His coming. The Jews therefore in awaiting the Messiah also awaited the appearance of His Forerunner. In a city of the hills of Judea in the land of Palestine lived the…

Saints Xanthippi and Polyxeni of Spain

Saints Xanthippi and Polyxeni of Spain

The righteous women Xanthippi (Xanthίppē) and Polyxeni (Polyxénē) were sisters by birth and lived in Spain at the time of the Holy Apostles. They were among the first to hear the divine teaching of Christ the Savior from the Holy Apostle Paul, when he preached in their land (Romans 15:28).…

Virgin Martyr Irais (Rhais) of Alexandria

Virgin Martyr Irais (Rhais) of Alexandria

The Holy Martyr Iraida lived at Alexandria. Once, she went to a well to draw water and saw a ship at the shore. On board were a large number of men, women, clergy and monks, all fettered in chains for their confession of the Christian Faith. Casting aside her water pitcher, the saint voluntarily…

Martyrs Andrew, John, and John’s children: Peter and Antonius, of Syracuse, martyred in Africa

The Holy Martyrs Andrew and John, and John’s children Peter and Antoninus, suffered in the ninth century in the time of the cruel African ruler Ibrahim. After the capture and destruction of the Sicilian city of Syracuse, Ibrahim captured and brought to Africa Saint John and his two children,…

Icon of the Mother of God of Slovenka

The Slovenka Icon of the Mother of God manifested itself on September 23, 1635 at the village of Slovenka, Kostroma district. A certain hunter while hunting by chance discovered a small rickety church, overgrown with moss. He went inside and saw that all the church utensils had rotted with time,…