Lives of the Saints

Martyr Gorazd of Prague, Bohemia and Moravo-Cilezsk

Martyr Gorazd of Prague, Bohemia and Moravo-Cilezsk

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” [John 10:11]. “O Lord, make this man also, who has been proclaimed a steward of the episcopal grace, to be an imitator of You, the true Shepherd, Who laid down Your life for Your sheep....” [Prayer of…

Hieromartyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch, and those with him

Hieromartyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch, and those with him

The Hieromartyr Babylas and with him the three youths Urban, Prilidian, Epolonius and their mother Christodoula died as martyrs under the emperor Decius (249-251). During his stay in their city of Antioch, the emperor arranged for a large festival in honor of the pagan gods. At the same time,…

Holy Prophet and God-seer Moses

Holy Prophet and God-seer Moses

The Holy Prophet and God-Seer Moses was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Abram and Jochabed (Exodus 6:20). His life is described in the Bible (Exodus 2 through Deuteronomy 34:12). Moses was born in Egypt around 1689 B.C. When Pharaoh ordered all male children of the Hebrew slaves to be killed…

Uncovering of the relics of Saint Joasaph, Bishop of Belgorod

Uncovering of the relics of Saint Joasaph, Bishop of Belgorod

Saint Joasaph was born at Proluka, in the former Poltava governance, on September 8, 1705, the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. He was descended from the old and venerable Little Russian (Ukrainian) lineage of the Gorlenkovi. At Baptism he was named Joachim. In 1712, his father…

Martyr Hermione, daughter of Saint Philip the Deacon

Martyr Hermione, daughter of Saint Philip the Deacon

The Holy Virgin Martyr Hermione (Ἑρμιόνη) was one of the four daughters of Saint Philip the Deacon (October 11). She had the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:8), and devoted herself to apostolic labors. Desiring to see the Holy Apostle John the Theologian, Hermione and her sister Eutykhida…

Martyr Babylas of Nicomedia and 84 children with him

Martyr Babylas of Nicomedia and 84 children with him

The Martyr Babylas and 84 disciples with him suffered in the city of Nicomedia for confessing Christianity during the reign of the emperor Maximian (284-305). The emperor, who was then in Nicomedia, renewed the persecution against Christians. Like many other believers, Saint Babylas was denounced…

Martyrs Theodore, Mianus, Julian, Kion, and Centurionus, of Nicomedia

The Holy Martyrs Theodore, Mianus (Ammianus), Julian and Kion (Oceanus) lived during the reign of Maximian (284-305)and were from the village of Quandababa (near Nicomedia). For confessing faith in Christ they were arrested and given over to torture. At first their bodies were torn with sharp iron…

“Unburnt Bush” Icon of the Mother of God

“Unburnt Bush” Icon of the Mother of God

One of the Old Testament prototypes pointing to the Mother of God is the Unburnt Bush - the Bush which Moses saw on Mount Horeb. It was on fire, but was not consumed (Exodus 3:2). This Bush signifies the Mother of God's sinless conception of Christ when the Holy Spirit came upon her and she was…

Second finding of the relics of Saint Metrophanes, Bishop of Voronezh

The Second finding of the relics of Saint Metrophanes of Voronezh took place in 1989. On March 22, 1998 Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow gave his blessing for the celebration of this Feast.

Venerable Simeon the Wonderworker

Venerable Simeon the Wonderworker

Saint Simeon was raised at Davit-Gareji Monastery. He labored as a simple monk until he reached an advanced age, and was chosen to be abbot. Outstanding in virtue and humility, Saint Simeon was endowed by the Lord with the ability to work miracles. Once Saint Simeon became deathly ill and lay…