Oct. 19 The Holy Prophet Joel; The Holy Martyr Varus

The holy prophet Joel announced the great day of the Lord and the mysterious pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh, which the divine majesty in Christ deemed fit to fulfill marvelously on the day of Pentecost. The holy martyr Varus was a soldier, who, under Maximianus the emperor, visited and refreshed six holy […]

Oct. 17 The Holy Prophet Hosea; The Holy Venerable Martyr Andrew of Crete

The holy prophet Hosea, who not only by his words but also by his manner of life showed the unfaithful people of Israel that the Lord was an ever-faithful Spouse, moved by limitless mercy.  The holy venerable martyr Andrew of Crete was a priest who defended the cult of the holy icons with great vigor […]

Oct. 16 The Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion

The holy martyr Longinus the Centurion, a Roman soldier, served in Judea under the command of the governor, Pontius Pilate. When our Savior Jesus Christ was crucified, it was the detachment of soldiers under the command of Longinus which stood watch on Golgotha, at the very foot of the holy Cross. Longinus and his soldiers […]

Oct. 15 Our Venerable Father Euthymius the Younger; The Venerable Martyr Lucian, Priest of the Great Church of Antioch

Our venerable father Euthymius the younger was born in Ancyra in 824 to Christian parents. He served in the army, married, and had one daughter. He lived for a long time in the monasteries of Plympus and then on the Holy Mountain. He entered into his rest on Mount Athos during the 9th century, and […]

Oct. 14 The Holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervase, Protasius, and Celsus; Our Venerable Mother Paraskeva of Trnovo

The holy martyrs Nazarius, Gervase(Gervasius), Protasius(Protase), and Celsus: Nazarius was a fearless Christian who visited Gervase and Protasius in prison in Milan. The governor ordered Nazarius to be whipped and driven from the city. He eventually returned to Milan with his disciple Celsus. Gervase and Protasius were still in prison, and Nero the emperor ordered […]

Oct. 13 The Holy Martyrs Carpus, Papylus, and Agathonica

The Holy Martyrs Carpus, Papylus, and Agathonica: Carpus was the bishop of Thyatira; Papylus, a deacon; Agathonica, sister of the same Papylus. There were many others at Pergamum in Asia, who were crowned with martyrdom for their blessed confession of Christ in the year 250.    Troparion Your martyrs, O Lord our God, in their […]