Aug. 18 The Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus

The martyrs Florus and Laurus were brothers by birth not only in flesh but in spirit. They lived in the 2nd century in Byzantium, and afterwards they settled in Illyria [now Yugoslavia]. By occupation they were stone masons. The prefect of Illyria, Likaion, sent the brothers to a nearby district for work on the construction […]

Aug. 16 The Translation of the Icon of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, the Icon not made by human hands, from Edessa to Constantinople; The Holy Martyr Diomedes

The Translation of the Icon of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, the icon “not made by human hands,” the Holy Veil, from Edessa to Constantinople in 944: Tradition related that Abgar, prince of the city of Edessa, suffered from leprosy. Having heard of Jesus the healer in Palestine, he sent a portrait painter […]

Aug. 15 The Dormition of the Theotokos

The Dormition of the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary: Tradition relates that the Mother of God died in Jerusalem, after a visit with all of Christ’s apostles. They carried her coffin to the Garden of Gethsemane where it was placed into a tomb. The apostle Thomas came late and asked that the tomb be […]

Aug. 14 The Holy Prophet Micah; Translation of the Relics of Our Father Theodosius, Hegumen of the Monastery of the Caves; Prefestive day of the Dormition of the Theotokos

The holy prophet Micah was of the tribe of Judah and from the village of Morasth. He was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. He denounced the vices of the people, foretold the fall of Samaria, and was a seer of the coming Messiah. He named Bethlehem as the birthplace of the […]

Aug. 13 Our Venerable Father Maximos the Confessor

Our venerable father Maximos the Confessor was the hegumen of Chrysopolis near Constantinople. He was notable for his teaching and zeal for the Catholic truth. When he vigorously fought against the Monothelites, he had his right hand cut off by the heretical emperor Constans. Along with two of his disciples, both named Anastasius, after a […]

Aug. 7 The Holy Venerable Martyr Dometius

The holy venerable martyr Dometius lived in Persia during the 4th century. In his youth he was converted to the Faith by a Christian named Uaros. Forsaking Persia, St. Dometius withdrew to the frontier city of Nisibis (in Mesopotamia), where he was baptized in one of the monasteries, and also received the monastic tonsure. Fleeing […]

Feb. 02 Meeting of our Lord with Simeon and Anna

The encounter of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ with Simeon and Anna, celebrated 40 days after the Nativity of the Savior on Dec. 25, is one of the most ancient of all feasts established in Jerusalem in the 4th century. St. Sophronius of Jerusalem wrote about this feast: “Let us all hasten to […]