The holy wonder-workers and Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian and their mother, St. Theodota, were natives of Asia Minor (some sources say Mesopotamia). Their pagan father died while they were still quite small children. Their mother raised them in Christian piety. Through her own example, and by reading holy books to them, St. Theodota preserved […]
Monthly Archives: October 2022
Oct. 31 The Holy Apostles Stachys, Amplius, and their Companions; The Holy Martyr Epimachus
The holy apostles Stachys, Amplius, and their companions were members of the Seventy Apostles. Stachys was the helper of St. Andrew the First Called, who made him bishop of Byzantium. Amplius and Urban were also fellow-workers with St. Andrew, and were made bishops of Lydda and Macedonia, respectively. Narcissus was made Bishop of Athens by […]
The Beauty of Your House (reverence i)
(Part one in a series of posts encouraging reverence of the Holy things) At the end of the Divine Liturgy, during the Ambon Prayer, the priest asks God to “sanctify those who love the beauty of your house…”. This reference comes from Psalm 25:8 (26:8 in most bibles) which says “Lord, I love the beauty […]
Oct. 30 The Holy Martyrs Zenobius and Zenobia
The holy martyr Zenobius was a priest who, in the severity of the persecution under the emperor Diocletian, urged others to martyrdom and himself was crowned with martyrdom. Zenobia, his sister, voluntarily joined Zenobius in his martyrdom in the year 285. Troparion Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their struggles received incorruptible crowns […]
Sunday Bulletin 10/30/22
WEEKLY SCHEDULE Saturday, Oct. 29 – Anastasia, Venerable Martyr 5:00 PM Outreach Divine Liturgy in Santa Paula Sunday, Oct. 30 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy Monday, Oct. 31 – Bl. Theodore Romža 8:30 AM Morning Prayer 6:00 PM […]
Oct. 29 The Holy Venerable Martyr Anastasia; Our Venerable Father Abraham the Hermit
The holy venerable martyr Anastasia was born in Rome to wealthy parents, but she was left as an orphan at the age of three. She was taken to a women’s monastery to live, under the guidance of Hegumena Sophia. When she was seventeen, the pagan governor summoned her to defend herself, which she did with […]
Oct. 28 The Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonila; Our Holy Father Stephen the Sabbaite, Composer of Canons; The Holy Martyr Paraskevia of Iconium
The holy martyrs Terence and Neolina were husband and wife from Syria, who were martyred with their seven children for their witness to Christ. Our holy father Stephen the Sabbaite was the author of many beautiful canons. He lived in the community of St. Sabbas the Sanctified, near Jerusalem. He later became bishop, and died […]
Oct. 27 The Holy Martyr Nestor; The Holy Martyr Capitolina and her servant Erotheides
The holy martyr Nestor learned of Christianity from St. Demetrius the Great Martyr. Nestor was moved to defend Christians being tortured in the arena of Salonica, and defeated the brute gladiator who was killing the innocents. The emperor Maximian ordered Nestor to be beheaded in the year 306. Capitolina was a noble and wealthy lady […]
Oct. 26 The Holy and Glorious Great-Martyr Demetrius, Myroblyte and Wonderworker; Commemoration of the Great and Fearful Earthquake at Constantinople
The holy and great martyr Demetrius was born in Salonica of devout parents, and was a much-longed-for only child. Because of this he received an excellent education. Like his father, Demetrius became a soldier in the Roman army. The emperor Maximian appointed him to persecute Christians in Salonica, but Demetrius confessed his faith and preached […]
Oct. 25 The Holy Martyrs and Notaries Marcian and Martyrius
The martyrs Marcian and Martyrius, Notaries of Constantinople, served in a Constantinople cathedral. Marcian was a reader and Martyrius a subdeacon. They both performed in the capacity of notaries, i.e. secretaries, for Patriarch Paul the Confessor. Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch Paul. His throne was given to the heretic Macedonius. The […]