Lives of the Saints

HOLY PASCHA: The Resurrection of Our Lord

HOLY PASCHA: The Resurrection of Our Lord

Pascha (Easter) Enjoy ye all the feast of faith; receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.(Sermon of Saint John Chrysostom, read at Paschal Matins) The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the center of the Christian faith. Saint Paul says that if Christ is not raised from the dead,…

Great Martyr Irene

Great Martyr Irene

The holy Great Martyr Irene was born in the city of Magedon in Persia during the fourth century. She was the daughter of Licinius, the pagan ruler of a certain small kingdom, and his wife Licinia, and at birth her parents named her Penelope. Penelope was very beautiful, and her father kept her…

Uncovering of the relics of Venerable James, Abbot of Zhelezny Bor

Saint James of Zhelezny Bor. Today we celebrate the Uncovering of the Relics of the Kostroma Wonderworker. See his Life under April 11, the day of his repose.

New Martyr Ephraim

New Martyr Ephraim

The holy New Martyr and wonderworker Ephraim was born in Greece on September 14, 1384. His father died when the saint was young, and his pious mother was left to care for seven children by herself. When Ephraim reached the age of fourteen, the all-good God directed his steps to a monastery on the…

Inexhastible Chalice Icon of the Mother of God

Inexhastible Chalice Icon of the Mother of God

According to the iconographic models, the Inexhaustible Chalice Icon of the Mother of God belongs to the Orans type -the Mother of God is depicted with her hands upraised, before her is the Divine Infant standing in the chalice. This is the Communion Chalice – an inexhaustible source of…