Lives of the Saints

33 Holy Martyrs of Melitene

The holy martyr Hieron was born in the city of Tiana in great Cappadocia. Raised by a pious mother, he was a kindly and good Christian. The co-ruling emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (284-305) sent a large military detachment headed by Lysias to Cappadocia to eradicate Christianity there,…

Venerable Lazarus, Wonderworker of Mount Galesius Near Ephesus

Saint Lazarus the Wonderworker of Mt Galesius near Ephesus was born in Lydia, in the city of Magnesium. An educated young man who loved God, Lazarus became a monk at the monastery of Saint Savva, the founder of great ascetic piety in Palestine. He spent ten years within the walls of the monastery,…

Finding of the relics of Venerable Cyril, Abbot of Novoezersk, Vologda

Finding of the relics of Venerable Cyril, Abbot of Novoezersk, Vologda

Saint Cyril the wonderworker of New Lake reposed on February 4, 1532. In May 1648, during the reign of Alexei Mihailovich, a popular rebellion against Moscow broke out among some of those who were members of the Tsar's retinue. Peter Trahanitov, the head of the artillery, the Deacon Eleazar, and…

Martyrs Melasippus, Karina, their son, Antoninus, and forty children converted by their martyrdom, at Ancyra

Martyrs Melasippus, Karina, their son, Antoninus, and forty children converted by their martyrdom, at Ancyra

The Martyrs Melasippus and Karina and their son Antoninus, and 40 children converted by their martyrdom at Ancyra suffered during the reign of the emperor Julian the Apostate in the city of Ancyra in Phrygia in the year 363. The holy Martyrs Melasippus and Karina, lacerated by iron hooks and…

Martyrs Auctus, Taurion, and Thessalonica, at Amphipolis, in Macedonia

Saints Auctus and Taurion suffered martyrdom with Saint Thessalonica, the daughter of a pagan priest. When the impious father learned that his daughter had become a Christian, he ruthlessly beat her and threw her out of the house, with no means of providing for herself. Saints Auctus and Taurion…

“Joyful” Icon of the Mother of God

“Joyful” Icon of the Mother of God

The “Joyful” (Взыграние) Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos appeared near Moscow on November 7, 1795. Nothing is known of the Icon's history, except that many miracles have taken place before it. For many years, the Icon was one of the symbols of the Saint Nicholas - Ugresh Monastery…

Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra

Saint Theodotus was an innkeeper. When seven virgins who lived near Corinth were drowned in a lake, he buried their bodies under the cover of night. For this reason, he was tortured and beheaded.