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 […]
Category Archives: Daily Devotionals
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 […]
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. 18 The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke
The holy apostle and evangelist Luke, as it is told, was born of a pagan family in Antioch and was a doctor by profession. He was converted to the faith, was one of the 70 apostles, and became a most-beloved companion of the blessed Apostle Paul. A scribe with the gentleness of Christ, he diligently […]
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 […]