The holy martyr Agathopodes was a deacon and the holy martyr Theodulus was a reader in the church at Thessalonica. Agathopodes was adorned with the grey hairs of old age and Theodulus with youthful chastity. At the time of Diocletian’s pursuit of Christians these two were summoned to court. They responded with rejoicing, and, holding […]
Author Archives: maryadmin
Apr. 4 Our Venerable Fathers Joseph the Hymnographer and George of Maleon
Our venerable father Joseph the Hymnographer, priest, who, was a monk, when the destroyers of holy icons were raging in the later part of the 9th century, was sent to Rome to seek the protection of the Apostolic See, and, after he had been afflicted with many trials, finally took custody of the holy vessels […]
Apr. 3 Our Venerable Father and Confessor Nicetas, Hegumen of Medikon Monastery
Our venerable father Nicetas the Confessor was born in Bithynian Caesarea (northwest Asia Minor) to a pious family. His mother died eight days after his birth, and his father Philaretos became a monk. The child remained in the care of his grandmother, who raised him in a true Christian spirit. From his youth St. Nicetas […]
Apr. 2 Our Venerable Father Titus the Wonder-worker
From his youth, our venerable father Titus loved Christ the Lord and detested the vanities of the world. Because of this, he retreated from the world, entered a monastery and received the angelic habit. Without regret, he dedicated himself to the somber and narrow path of monasticism. Through great patience, he attained two basic virtues: […]
Mar. 31 Our Venerable Father Hypatius, Bishop of Gangra
Our venerable father Hypatius was born in Cilicia and was the bishop of Gangra. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council (Nicea, 325) and was renowned by all for his pious life and miracle-working. The Emperor Constantius ordered that a likeness of Hypatius be made during the saint’s lifetime. The emperor kept the likeness […]
Mar. 30 Our Venerable Father John Climacus, Author of “The Ladder”
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 […]
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 […]