The holy venerable martyr Anastasia was born in Rome to wealthy parents, but she was left as an orphan at the age of three. She was taken to a women’s monastery to live, under the guidance of Hegumena Sophia. When she was seventeen, the pagan governor summoned her to defend herself, which she did with […]
Category Archives: Daily Devotionals
Oct. 28 The Holy Martyrs Terence and Neonila; Our Holy Father Stephen the Sabbaite, Composer of Canons; The Holy Martyr Paraskevia of Iconium
The holy martyrs Terence and Neolina were husband and wife from Syria, who were martyred with their seven children for their witness to Christ. Our holy father Stephen the Sabbaite was the author of many beautiful canons. He lived in the community of St. Sabbas the Sanctified, near Jerusalem. He later became bishop, and died […]
Oct. 27 The Holy Martyr Nestor; The Holy Martyr Capitolina and her servant Erotheides
The holy martyr Nestor learned of Christianity from St. Demetrius the Great Martyr. Nestor was moved to defend Christians being tortured in the arena of Salonica, and defeated the brute gladiator who was killing the innocents. The emperor Maximian ordered Nestor to be beheaded in the year 306. Capitolina was a noble and wealthy lady […]
Oct. 26 The Holy and Glorious Great-Martyr Demetrius, Myroblyte and Wonderworker; Commemoration of the Great and Fearful Earthquake at Constantinople
The holy and great martyr Demetrius was born in Salonica of devout parents, and was a much-longed-for only child. Because of this he received an excellent education. Like his father, Demetrius became a soldier in the Roman army. The emperor Maximian appointed him to persecute Christians in Salonica, but Demetrius confessed his faith and preached […]
Oct. 25 The Holy Martyrs and Notaries Marcian and Martyrius
The martyrs Marcian and Martyrius, Notaries of Constantinople, served in a Constantinople cathedral. Marcian was a reader and Martyrius a subdeacon. They both performed in the capacity of notaries, i.e. secretaries, for Patriarch Paul the Confessor. Arian heretics expelled and secretly executed the righteous Patriarch Paul. His throne was given to the heretic Macedonius. The […]
Oct. 24 The Holy Martyr Arethas and his Companions
The holy martyr Arethas was governor of the city of Nagran in Arabia. He and his 340 companions, in 523 during the time of the emperor Justinian, gave their lives for Christ under Dhu Nuwas or Dun’an, king of the Himayarites. Troparion Opposing the unbelieving king, after the example of Christ, this holy martyr […]
Oct. 23 The Holy Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord in the flesh
The holy apostle James, the brother of God, called the Just One, was the first to rule the Church in Jerusalem as bishop. Paul testifies that he was among the witnesses of the Resurrection (cf 1 Cor. 15:7). St. James presided over the Council of Jerusalem and his word was decisive (Acts 15). In his […]
Oct. 22 The Holy Bishop Abercius of Hieropolis, Equal to the Apostles, Wonder-worker; The Holy Seven Children of Ephesus
The holy bishop Abercius, equal to the Apostles and wonder-worker lived in the 2nd century in Hieropolis in Phrygia. St. Abercius prayed to the Lord for the conversion of all the pagans living in the city. He was visited by an angel that told him to destroy the idols in the pagan temple. St. Abercius […]
Oct. 21 Our Venerable Father Hilarion the Great
Our venerable father Hilarion the Great followed in the footsteps of St. Anthony , first leading a solitary life near Gaza. Then in this province of Cyprus, he was an outstanding founder and example of eremitical life. He fell asleep in the Lord in the year 372. Troparion Your abundant tears made the wilderness […]
Oct. 20 The Holy Great Martyr Artemius
The holy great martyr Artemius was Egyptian by birth. He was the commander-in-chief of the army of the emperor St. Constantine the Great. When the cross of the Lord appeared in the sky to the emperor, Artemius also saw it and came to faith. He was eventually appointed governor in Egypt. During the reign of […]