On the Sunday closest to January 25, the Church commemorates the Synaxis of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, remembering all those Orthodox Christians who suffered for Christ at the hands of the godless Soviets during the years of persecution. These include the royal Passion Bearers…
Saint John Chrysostom, the great ecumenical teacher and hierarch, died in the city of Comana in the year 407 on his way to a place of exile. He had been condemned by the intrigues of the empress Eudoxia because of his daring denunciation of the vices of those ruling over Constantinople. The…
This holy ascetic is not mentioned in the Synaxaristes nor in the Menaion. His Church Service, however, is found in the Laurentian Codex E 152 f. 332 a and Γ 12f. 82 β. In his Service he is praised as one who "appeared as a most ascetical spirit-bearer, ascending a tall pillar, as a steadfast…
Saint Markianḗ was the wife of Emperor Justin I the Elder (reigned 518 - 527). She was distinguished for her piety, her ascetical life, and her philanthropy. Her righteous death was peaceful, and she was buried in the church of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople.
Saint Askiot reigned in Georgia in the IX century. This pious ruler built many churches as well as several monasteries. He was killed by Arabs in the church of the castle at Artanugi, Georgia, which he had built. In the Georgian Synaxaria it is also referred to as Kouropalatis.