Lives of the Saints

Saint Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople

Saint Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople

Saint Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople, was chosen to the patriarchal throne after the death of Patriarch Alexander (+ 340), when the Arian heresy had again flared up. Many of the Arians were present at the Council which selected the new Archbishop of Constantinople. They revolted…

Venerable Barlaam, Abbot of Khutyn, Novgorod

Venerable Barlaam, Abbot of Khutyn, Novgorod

Saint Barlaam of Khutyn lived in the XII century, and was the son of a noble Novgorodian and spent his childhood in Novgorod. In his youth, retiring to the Lisich Monastery near the city, Barlaam was tonsured as a monk. Then he settled on a secluded hill above Volkhov, in an area called Khutyn, 10…

Venerable Luke the Steward of the Kiev Caves

Venerable Luke the Steward of the Kiev Caves

Saint Luke labored in asceticism at the Kiev Caves Monastery (Near Caves) in the XIII century, where he fulfilled the obedience of Steward. Nothing is known about his life before he came to the Kiev Caves Lavra. In Ode 7 of the Canon for the Holy Fathers of the Near Caves, Saint Luke is praised as…

Repose of Saint Herman, Archbishop of Kazan

Repose of Saint Herman, Archbishop of Kazan

Saint Herman, Archbishop of Kazan, lived during the sixteenth century. He was born in the city of Staritsa, and was descended from the old boyar nobility of the Polevi. In his youth Gregory (his baptismal name) was tonsured at the Joseph-Volokolamsk monastery under Igumen Gurias, who later became…

Venerable Luke of Sicily

Venerable Luke of Sicily

Saint Luke of Sicily was a native of the Sicilian city of Tauromenium. In his youth he left his parents and fiancée and went into the wilderness, where he spent many years in fasting and prayer. He lived the ascetic life at Mount Aetna. Towards the end of his life Saint Luke, because of a…

Holy Virgin Martyr Manatho

Saint Manathó (Μαναθῶ) suffered for Christ during the reign of Emperor Maximianus (286 – 305). She was arrested with other martyrs and endured many torments because she was a Christian. Later she was led through the city naked and was mocked. Finally, she was burnt alive. In Greek usage…