Aug. 5 The Holy Martyr Eusignius; Prefestive Day of the Transfiguration

The holy martyr Eusignius was a soldier under emperors Maximian, Constantine, and Constantine’s sons. Having spent sixty years in military service, he withdrew and went home to Antioch, where he lived a life of good works, prayer, and fasting. In the year 362, during the time of the emperor Julian the Apostate, he was arrested […]

Aug. 4 The Holy Seven Children of Ephesus; The Holy Venerable Martyr Eudoxia

The holy seven children of Ephesus: During the persecution of the emperor Decius, seven young soldiers refused to sacrifice to idols. Tradition says that their names were: Maximilian, Iamblichus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus, and Antoninus. They concealed themselves in a cave outside of Ephesus, and the emperor sealed them into that cave to kill them […]

Aug. 3 Our Venerable Fathers Isaac, Dalmatus, and Faustus; The Holy Myrrh-bearer Salome

Our venerable fathers Isaac, Dalmatus, and Faustus: Dalmatus was an officer in the Roman army who abandoned all and entered the monastery where Isaac was abbot. His only son, Faustus, entered with him. Dalmatus followed Isaac as heguman of the monastery, and took part in the Third Ecumenical Council (431), battling against the Nestorian heresy. […]

Aug. 2 Translation of the Relics of the Holy Proto-Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen; Our Venerable Father Basil, Fool for Christ

Tradition says that the body of St. Stephen was taken by the Rabbi Gamaliel, a secret disciple of Christ, and buried in a cave in the town of Capargamala. In the year 415, Gamaliel appeared in a dream to the priest Lucian in that town, and revealed the burial place of the Protomartyr. His relics […]

Aug. 1 The Procession of the Wood of the Venerable and Life-creating Cross; The Holy Seven Maccabees, their Mother Solomonia, and the Elder Eleazar

 The feast of the procession of the Wood of the venerable and life-creating Cross was established in the reign of the Greek Emperor Manuel as a memorial of the Greek victory over the Saracens. The procession with the relic of the Precious Cross was made from the imperial palace to the church of Hagia Sophia; […]

July 31 The Holy and Righteous Eudocimus; The Holy Joseph of Arimathea

The holy and righteous Eudocimus lived in the time of the emperor Theophilus, the iconoclast. He was a military governor of Cappadocia, and lived a virtuous life before God and man. He died at the age of thirty-three during the 9th century.  The holy Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple of our Lord Jesus […]

July 30 The Holy Apostles Silas and Silvanus and their Companions

The holy apostle Silas was sent by the apostles to the Churches of the gentiles together with Saints Paul and Barnabas. He earnestly fulfilled the office of preaching, full of the grace of God. (Acts 15:22) The holy apostle Silvanus helped both Peter and Paul (I Peter 5:12; II Corinthians 1:19), and became the first […]

July 28 The Holy Apostles and Deacons Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas

The holy apostles and deacons Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas were of the seven chosen to be deacons in Acts 6:1 ff. and are described as “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.” The congregation of the disciples chose them, and the Apostles laid their hands on them, that they might minister in service of […]