There were two occasions when the monks and hermits of Sinai and Raitho were murdered by the barbarians. The first took place in 312 when forty Fathers were killed at Mt. Sinai, and thirty-nine were slain at Raitho the same day. The second massacre occurred nearly a hundred years later. Troparion God of our […]
Tag Archives: byzantine
Jan. 13 The Holy Martyrs Hermolaus and Stratonicus
The Emperor Licinius raised a great persecution of Christians. St. Hermolaus, a Christian and a deacon in the Church, was arrested and brought to trial. When Hermolaus was informed that he was being led away to be tortured, he greatly rejoiced. In vain did the emperor threaten him. Hermolaus openly confessed his faith in Christ, […]
Jan. 11 Our Venerable Father Theodosius, Founder of the Common Life
Our venerable father Theodosius, founder of the Common Life, lived during the fifth and sixth centuries, and was the founder of cenobitic monasticism. He was born in Cappadocia to pious parents. Endowed with a splendid voice, he zealously toiled at church readings and singing. Yearning for a solitary life, St. Theodosius settled in Palestine into […]
Jan. 10 Our Holy Father Gregory of Nyssa; The Venerable Dometian, Bishop of Melitene; Our Venerable Father Marcia
Our holy father Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, brother of St. Basil the Great, one of the great theologians of the Byzantine Church (c. 395) The venerable Dometian, Bishop of Melitene, who lived under Emperors Justinian the Lesser and Maurice. He was known for his remarkable intelligence, prudence, and spiritual zeal, and for his love of […]
Jan. 9 The Holy Martyr Polyeuctus
The holy martyr Polyeuctus: The Armenian city of Melitene was drenched with the blood of Christians, as was the entire country of Armenia. The first blood shed for Christ in this city was that of St. Polyeuctus in the year 259, during the reign of Valerian. In Melitene were two friends: Nearchus and Polyeuctus. Both […]
Jan. 08 Our Venerable Fathers George the Chozebite and Emilian the Confessor; Our Venerable Mother Dominica
Our venerable father George the Chozebite was a Cypriot monk at the Monastery of the Mother of God at Chozeba near Jericho (614) Our venerable father Emilian the Confessor was a native of Vannes, in what is now France. He was a recluse (767) Our venerable mother Dominica, born in Carthage in North Africa, lived […]
Jan. 07 Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John
Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John: A “synaxis” feast follows one of the great feasts, and highlights a major personage of yesterday’s celebration. We remember today the work of the Forerunner, John, who baptized Christ. Troparion The memory of the righteous is celebrated with praise, but for you, O Forerunner, […]
Jan. 06 The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ: since the second century, the Church has celebrated the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River for our sanctification. Troparion At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, worship of the Trinity was revealed; for the Father’s voice bore witness to You, calling You […]
Jan. 05 The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theona; Our Venerable Mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt; The Holy Prophet Micah
The holy martyrs Theopemptus and Theona, of Nicomedia in Bithynia, who met martyrdom in the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (c. 350) Our venerable mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt, virgin, who is to have led a solitary life that influenced many women of her day. (4th century) The holy prophet Micah, who in the […]
Jan. 04 Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles; Our Venerable Father Theoctistus
Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles, whose names were recorded by St. Dorotheus. In addition to the Twelve Apostles, our Lord chose seventy other apostles and sent them out to preach (cf. Luke 10: 1-5) Our Venerable Father Theoctistus, Hegumen at Cuomo in Sicily founded a monastery in the city of Kucuma on the island […]