Lives of the Saints

Prophet Isaiah

Prophet Isaiah

The Holy Prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Christ, and was of royal lineage. Isaiah’s father Amos raised his son in the fear of God and in the law of the Lord. Having attained the age of maturity, the Prophet Isaiah entered into marriage with a pious prophetess (Is 8:3) and…

Martyr Christopher of Lycia, and, with him, the Martyrs Callinika and Aquilina

Martyr Christopher of Lycia, and, with him, the Martyrs Callinika and Aquilina

The Holy Martyr Christopher lived during the third century and suffered about the year 250, during the reign of the emperor Decius (249-251). There are various accounts of his life and miracles, and he is widely venerated throughout the world. Saint Christopher is especially venerated in Italy,…

Translation of the relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra to Bari

Translation of the relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra to Bari

The Transfer of the Relics of Saint Nicholas to Bari in Italy. His Life is found under December 6. In the eleventh century the Byzantine Empire was going through some terrible times. The Turks put an end to its influence in Asia Minor, they destroyed cities and villages, they murdered the…

Repose of Venerable Shio the Anchorite of Georgia

Repose of Venerable Shio the Anchorite of Georgia

An Antiochian by birth, Saint Shio of Mgvime was among the Thirteen Syrian Fathers who preached the Christian Faith in Georgia. His parents were pious nobles who provided their son with a sound education. When the twenty-year-old Shio heard about the great ascetic labors of Saint John of Zedazeni…

Venerable Joseph of Optina

Saint Joseph of Optina was born on November 2, 1837 in the village of Gorodishcha in the province of Kharkov. His name in the world was John Litovkin, and his parents Euthymius and Maria were simple but pious people. They were generous to the poor, and often lent money to those in need even when…