At the end of Chapter 8 in Gospel of Saint John, the Savior was disputing with the Pharisees in the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. He told them, "Your father Abraham was glad that he should see my day; and he saw it and rejoiced" (John 8:56). The Jews said that Jesus was not even fifty…
The Icon of the Mother of God “Of the Passion” The icon received its name because on either side of the Mother of God are two angels with the implements of the Lord’s suffering: the Cross, the lance, and the sponge. There was a certain pious woman, Katherine, who began to suffer…
The Hieromartyr Timothy, Bishop of Prusa (Bithynia), received from the Lord the gift of wonderworking because of his purity and sanctity of life. At Prusa he converted many pagans to the faith in Christ. The emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363), upon hearing about Saint Timothy, had him locked up…
Venerable Silvanus the Schemamonk, of the Kiev Far Caves
The Holy Schemamonk Silvanus of the Kiev Caves labored in asceticism in the Far Caves during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. One time, by the power of his prayer, he held fast to the spot robbers, who had come into the monastery garden, and for three days they were not able to move. When…
Finding of the relics of Saint Basil, Bishop of Ryazan
The Uncovering and Transfer of the Holy Relics of Saint Basil, Bishop of Ryazan (July 3), was done by Archbishop Theodoret of Ryazan (1605-1617). It pleased Divine Providence during the Time of Troubles to glorify Saint Basil. The uncovering of his relics and their transfer into the…
Saint John, Metropolitan of Tobolsk and All Siberia, the Wonderwonder, in the world was named John Maximovitch, and he was born in the city of Nezhino in 1651. His father Maxim Vasil’evich and mother Euphrosynē had seven sons, of which John was the eldest. Upon his completion of the…
Martyr Alexander and Virgin Martyr Antonina at Constantinople
The Holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina the Virgin. Saint Antonina was from the city of Krodamos (Asia Minor). She was arrested for being a Christian, and was brought before the governor Festus. He urged her to worship the pagan gods, promising to make her a priestess of the goddess Artemis. But…
Saint Kanides was born during the reign of Emperor Theodosios the Great (ca. 379). He was the son of godly parents, Theodotos and Theophano, who lived in Cappadocia. According to Tradition, the Saint’s mother did not eat any fatty foods during the nine months when she was pregnant; and even…
Venerable Theophanes and Saint Pansemne of Antioch
Saint Theophanes of Antioch was the son of pagans. At a youthful age he entered into marriage, but after three years his wife died. Saint Theophanes then came to believe in Christ and accepted Baptism. He gave up everything and began to live beyond the city in a manner of self-denial. He zealously…
Saint Bassianus, Bishop of Lodi,1 was a friend of Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (December 7, 397). Bassianus's father ruled the territory of Syracuse (Sicily) and was preparing his son to succeed him. He sent him to Rome to receive an education. Saint Bassianus had heard about Christians even in…
Basil: Bishop +1295. April 12, May 21, July 3, Sunday of all Saints. Boris: (Roman in Baptism), prince and passion-bearer. Commemorated on May 2 (translation of relics) and July 24 (+ 1015). Constantine (Yaroslav Svyatoslavich of Murom), prince & wonderworker. Commemorated on May 21 (+ 1129).…
Andrew, Igumen of Raphael (Tobolsk). He is commemorated on May 14 (+ 1820) Anthony, Metropolitan of Tobolsk. He is commemorated on March 27. (+ 1740) Arethas of Valaam & Verkhoturye. He is commemorated on May 15 (+ 1910) Barlaam, Archbishop of Tobolsk. He is commemorated on December 27 (+ 1802)…
Saint Neaniskos lived in the time of Maximius, the ruler of Alexandria. During the persecution of the Church by Emperor Diocletian (284-304), a female slave denounced the most wise and handsome athlete of Christ. The ruler tortured him for seven days in various ways, trying to make him deny Christ.…