Our holy father Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople was of illustrious lineage. He was born and raised in Constantinople, where he received a fine education. He was rapidly promoted at the court of emperor Constantine VI (780-797) and Constantine’s mother, the holy Empress Irene, and the saint attained the rank of senator. Proceeding through all the […]
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Sunday Bulletin 2/25/24
WEEKLY SCHEDULE Saturday, Feb. 24 – 1st & 2nd Findings of the Head of John the Baptist 5:00 PM Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy Sunday, Feb. 25 – 2nd Sunday of the Great Fast 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy Monday, […]
Feb. 24 The First and Second Finding of the Head of the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John
The great and glorious Baptist John was beheaded at the wish and instigation of the wicked Herodias, the wife of Herod. When John was beheaded, Herodias ordered that his head not be buried with his body, for she feared that this awesome prophet would somehow resurrect. Therefore, she took his head and buried it deep […]
Feb. 23 The Holy Priest Martyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna
The holy priest martyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was “fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10), was born in the first century, and lived in Smyrna in Asia Minor. He was orphaned at an early age, but at the direction of an angel, he was raised by the pious widow Kallista. After the death […]
Feb. 22 The finding of the Venerable Relics of the Martyrs of Eugenia
During the persecution against Christians the relics of holy martyrs were usually buried by believers in hidden places. So at Constantinople, near the gates and tower in the Eugenia quarter, the bodies of several martyrs were found. Their names remain unknown by the Church. When miracles of healing began to occur at this spot, the […]
Feb. 21 Our Venerable Father Timothy of Symbola; Our Father among the Saints Eustathius, Archbishop of Antioch
Our venerable father Timothy of Symbola was of Italian descent. He became a monk at a young age and pursued asceticism at a monastery called “Symbola”, in Asia Minor near Mount Olympus. At that time Theoctistus was the archimandrite of the monastery. St. Timothy was a disciple of Theoctistus and also of St. Platon of […]
Feb. 20 Our Venerable Father Leo Bishop of Catania
In the town of Catania below the volcanic Mount Ezra, lived our venerable father Leo, a good shepherd and compassionate teacher of the people. He had great concern for the sick and the poor. His zeal for the Faith was as great as his charity toward the less fortunate. A magician named Heliodorus appeared in […]
Feb. 19 The Holy Apostle Archippus
The holy apostle Archippus, one of the Seventy, was a student and companion of the holy Apostle Paul. In the Epistle Philemon, Paul mentions St. Archippus as his companion, and mentions him again in the Epistle to the Colossians (Col. 4:17). St. Archippus was bishop of Colossae in Phrygia. During the persecution against Christians under the […]
Feb. 18 Our Father among the Saints Leo, Pope of Rome
Our holy father Leo, Pope of Rome who was born in Etruria [Tuscany], first stood out as a diligent deacon of Rome. He was then elevated to the chair of Peter, where rightly and by his merit he deserved to be called “the Great.” He nourished his flock by his excellent and prudent discourse. He […]
Feb. 17 The Holy Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit
The holy Great martyr Theodore the Recruit (Tyro) was a soldier in the city of Alasium of the Pontine district (a northeastern province of Asia Minor along the Black Sea), under command of a certain Brincus. They commanded him to offer sacrifice to idols. St. Theodore firmly confessed his faith in Christ the Savior in […]