Our venerable father John Climacus is the author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent. John came to Mount Sinai as a sixteen year old youth and remained there, first as a novice, later as a recluse, and finally as abbott of Sinai until his eightieth year, when he reposed, in about the year 649. After […]
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Sunday Bulletin 3/30/2025
Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast Memory of our Holy Father John Climacus 30 March 2025 WEEKLY SCHEDULE Saturday, March. 29 – 4th All Souls Saturday 9:00 AM All Souls Divine Liturgy 4:45 PM Outreach All Souls Panachida 5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy Sunday, March. 30 – 4th Sunday of the […]
Mar. 29 Our Venerable Father Mark, Bishop of Arethusa; the Deacon Cyril and his Companions
Our venerable hieromartyr Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, suffered for his faith in Christ under the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). By order of the emperor Constantine, St. Mark had once destroyed a pagan temple and built a Christian church. When Julian came to the throne, he persecuted Christians and tried to restore paganism. Some citizens […]
Mar. 28 Our Venerable Father Hilary the Younger; The Holy Stephen the Wonder-worker
Our venerable father Hilarion (Hilary) the New, Heguman of Pelekete Monastery, who from his youth devoted himself to the service of God and spent many years as a hermit. Because of his holy and blameless life he was ordained to the holy priesthood, and later he was made igumen of the Pelekete monastery, near the […]
Mar. 27 Our Holy Mother Matrona of Thessalonica
An orphan, our holy mother Matrona was a servant in the home of a Jewish man in Thessalonica in the mid-fourth century. The wife of her master continually mocked Matrona for her faith in Christ. She tried to persuade Matrona to deny Christ and attend the synagogue. But the meek Matrona went about her work […]
Mar. 26 Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel
The holy archangel Gabriel is the herald of the Incarnation of the Son of God. He is one of the seven archangels who stand before the throne of God. He appeared to Zacharias to announce the birth of the Forerunner. Gabriel said of himself: I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God (Luke […]
Mar. 25 The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
The Annunciation of the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary: When, in the city of Nazareth, the angel of the Lord announced to Mary, “Behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and he will be called Son of the Most High.” Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to […]
Mar. 24 Our Venerable Father Zachary; Our Holy Father Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia; Pre-festive Day of the Annunciation
Our venerable father Zachary was born in Egypt. His father left his family to become a monk and took Zachary with him. God gave him great gifts of grace; he was a great light among the monks in the desert, and went to his peace in the Lord at an early age. Our holy father […]
Mar. 23 The Holy Venerable-Martyr Nicon and his Companions
The monk martyr Nicon was born in Neapolis (Naples). His father was a pagan, and his mother a Christian. He was not baptized, but his mother secretly instructed him in the tenets of Christianity. Nicon was still a pagan when he reached adulthood. He served as a soldier, and showed unusual courage and strength. Once, […]
Mar. 22 The Holy Priest Martyr Basil, Priest of Ancyra
The Hieromartyr Basil was a presbyter in Ancyra, Galatia. Fighting against the Arian heresy, he urged his flock to cling firmly to Orthodoxy. Because of this, St. Basil was deposed from his priestly rank by a local Arian council, but a Council of 230 bishops in Palestine reinstated him. St. Basil continued to openly preach […]