Lives of the Saints

Bright Thursday

Bright Thursday

On Bright Thursday the Gospel reading is John 3:1-15, which mentions the Pharisee Νikόdēmos who came by night to speak to Christ. The Lord told him that a man could not see the Kingdom of God unless he were born again. Νikόdēmos, taking Him much too literally, could not understand how such a…

Saint Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Eutychius, Archbishop of Constantinople, was born in a village called “Divine” in the province of Phrygia. His father Alexander was a soldier, and his mother Synesia was the daughter of the priest Hesychius of Augustopolis. Saint Eutychius received the first rudiments of his…

Saint Methodius, Equal of the Apostles, Archbishop of Moravia, Enlightener of the Slavs

Saint Methodius, Equal of the Apostles, Archbishop of Moravia, Enlightener of the Slavs

Saint Methodius, Archbishop of Moravia, died on April 6 in the year 885. His Life is found on May 11, when he is commemorated with Saint Cyril, Teacher of the Slavs.

Saint Platonis of Nisibis, Syria

Saint Platonis of Nisibis, Syria

At first Saint Platonis (Platonίs) was a deaconess, but later she withdrew into the Nisibian desert, where she founded a women’s monastery. The Rule of her monastery was known for its strictness. The sisters partook of food only once a day. When they were not praying, they spent their time in…

120 Martyrs of Persia

The Holy 120 Martyrs suffered under the Persian emperor Sapor. They were taken into captivity during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Constantios (337-361). They were consigned to the flames after firmly confessing their faith (c.344-347). Saint Shandulios (November 3) concealed their relics from…

Martyrs Jeremiah and Presbyter Archilias

The Holy Martyrs Jeremiah and the Priest Archilius (Alchimius) suffered martyrdom in the third century. Saint Gregory Dialogus (March 12) mentions them.

Venerable Gregory the Byzantine

Venerable Gregory the Byzantine

Saint Gregory was a native of Constantinople, and pursued an ascetic life on Mt. Athos in the Lavra of Saint Athanasius (July 5). He was the spiritual guide of Saint Gregory Palamas (November 14).

Monastic Martyr Gennadios of Dionysiou on Mount Athos

Saint Gennadios (Gennádios) was a monk in the Holy Monastery of Dionysiou on Mount Athos. One day, the Igoumen of the Monastery sent him to accompany the monks Boniface and Eudokimos (Eudókimos) to Constantinople so they could become martyrs. When they arrived the two monks were afraid to suffer…