Apr. 8 The Holy Apostles Herodian, Agabus, Rufus, and Companions

The holy apostles Herodian, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermas were among the Seventy Apostles. St. Paul mentions them in his epistles. Herodian was a kinsman of Paul. He  helped the Apostle Peter in Rome, and was beheaded along with many other Christians the day that St. Peter was crucified. Agabus had a spirit of […]

Apr. 7 Our Venerable Father George, Bishop of Mitylene

Our venerable father George was chosen and installed as Metropolitan of Mitylene for his great virtues, which he attained through ascetic labors. This saint governed his spiritual flock prudently and zealously to a great old age. When a persecution began under Leo the Armenian, who destroyed the holy icons, this saintly elder was summoned to […]

Apr. 6 The Falling Asleep of Our Holy Father Methodius, Bishop and Teacher to the Slavs

After the death of St. Cyril in Rome, our holy father Methodius returned to Moravian and labored there among the Slavs, preaching the Gospel and establishing the Christian faith there.  Troparion Send your mercy from heaven, O Christ, to those who keep the feast of your pastor’s death. Through the intercession of your holy disciple […]

Apr. 5 The Holy Martyrs Theodulus and Agathopodes and their companions

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 […]

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 […]