Monthly Archives: October 2023

Nov. 1 The Holy Unmercenary Wonder-workers Cosmas and Damian

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 […]

Oct. 31 The Holy Apostles Stachys, Amplius, and their Companions; The Holy Martyr Epimachus; The Blessed Martyr Theodore Romzha, Bishop of Mukachevo

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 […]

Oct. 30 The Holy Martyr Zenobius and his sister 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. The holy martyr Zenobia, his sister, voluntarily joined Zenobius in his martyrdom in 285. Troparion Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their struggles received incorruptible crowns […]

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. The holy martyr Capitolina was a noble […]

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 […]

Oct. 24 The Holy Martyr Arethas and his Companions

The holy martyr Arethas was governor of the city of Nagran in Arabia. He and his 340 companions, in 523 during the time of the emperor Justinian, gave their lives for Christ under Dhu Nuwas or Dun’an, king of the Himayarites.   Troparion Opposing the unbelieving king, after the example of Christ, this holy martyr […]