July 18 The Holy Martyr Hyacinth of Amastris; The Holy Martyr Emilian; The Passing of the Venerable Martyr Tarsykia Matskiv

The holy martyr Hyacinth was born into a pious Christian family in the city of Amastridea (now Amastra in Anatolia). An angel that appeared gave him his name. As a three-year-old boy, St. Hyacinth asked God that a dead infant might be resurrected. The Lord hearkened to his childish prayer, and the dead one arose. […]

July 16 The Holy Martyrs Athenogenes, Bishop of Sebaste, and His Ten Disciples

The holy martyr Athenogenes was the bishop of Sebaste in Cappadocia. Christianity was spreading in Sebaste because of the grace-filled preaching of Bishop Athenogenes. When the governor heard that the citizens of Sebaste refused to participate in a festival for idols, he sent soldiers to arrest St. Athenogenes and his disciples. While in prison, St. […]

July 15 The Holy Martyrs Cyricus and Julietta; The Holy Great Prince Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles

The holy martyrs Cyricus and Julietta, his mother, were martyred at Caesarea in Cappadocia in the year 304. When they had firmly refused the order of the judge to offer incense to idols, they were cast into the fire.  The holy great martyr Prince Vladimir, equal to the apostles was baptized Basil at Kiev in […]

July 13 Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel; Our Venerable Father Stephen the Sabbaite; Our Holy Father Julian, Bishop of Kenoman

The synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel: the primary feast of the Archangel is March 26. On this day is commemorated all his appearances and marvels throughout the history of salvation. This feast was instituted on Mt. Athos in 982.  Our venerable father Stephen of the Monastery of St. Sabbas, who suffered death  in 784 during […]

July 12 The Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilary; Our Venerable Father Michael of Malein

The holy martyrs Proclus and Hilary (Hilarion) were arrested for being Christians during the reign of the emperor Trajan (98-117). Proclus was the uncle of Hilary. Proclus said to the tortures, “When you are afraid to transgress the Emperor’s commands and risk falling into temporal punishment, how much more do we Christians fear to transgress […]

July 11 The Holy Martyr the Illustrious Euphemia; The Passing of Olga, Princess of Kiev; Repose of the Blessed Bishop Martyr Valeriu Traian Frentiu

The holy martyr Euphemia the Illustrious was handed over to the beasts after various tortures under the emperor Diolcetian. Her passing is kept on Sept. 16; today is the day that her holy relics confirmed the orthodox faith at the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon. The passing of Olga, princess of Kiev, baptized Helen, at […]

July 10 The Holy 45 Martyrs in Nicopolis in Armenia; Our Venerable Father Anthony of the Kiev Lavra; The Holy Martyred Brothers Francis, Mutius, Raphael, and their companions, martyred in Damascus

The holy forty-five martyrs in Nicopolis in Armenia: Of saints Leontius, Mauritius, Daniel, Antonius, Anicetus, Sisinnus, and others, who under the emperor Licinius and the governor Lysias were tortured in many ways in the year 319.  Our venerable father Anthony of Kiev was a hermit, who in the lavra called “the Caves”, followed the monastic […]