The placing of the Venerable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos in a church of Constantinople’s Chalcoprateia district took place during the reign of the emperor Theosodius the Younger. Before this the holy relic, entrusted to the Apostle Thomas by Mary herself, was kept by pious Christians at Jerusalem after her Dormition. During the reign […]
Tag Archives: catholic
Aug. 30 Our Holy Fathers Alexander, John, and Paul the Younger, Patriarchs of Constantinople
Our holy fathers Alexander, John, and Paul the Younger, patriarchs of Constantinople: Alexander took part in the First Ecumenical Council. John the Faster governed the Church in the days of the wicked emperor Anastasius. Paul IV governed the Church for five years and then took the Great Schema to repent for his early support of […]
Aug. 29 Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John
Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John: Because John had denounced Herod Antipas for putting away his own wife and marrying the wife of his brother Philip, Herod imprisoned John. At a feast held in honor of Herod’s birthday, his stepdaughter Salome danced for him. Herod promised her anything; her mother Herodias told […]
Aug. 23 The Holy Martyr Lupus; The Holy Martyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons
The martyr Lupus was a servant of St. Demetrius of Salonica. When his master was beheaded by the emperor Maximian, Lupus dipped the hem of his garment and his ring into his master’s blood. Through these relics he worked many miracles, even though he was not yet baptized. Having miraculously received the Holy Mysteries, he […]
Aug. 22 The Holy Martyr Agathonicus and His Companions
The holy martyr Agathonicus was a citizen of Nicomedia and a Christian by faith. With great zeal he converted the Hellenes from idolatry and instructed them in the true Faith. At emperor Maximian’s orders, the regional governor cruelly persecuted Christians. The deputy captured St. Zoticus in a place called Carpe. He crucified Zoticus’ disciples and […]
Aug. 21 The Holy Apostle Thaddeus; The Holy Martyr Bassa
The holy apostle Thaddeus was one of the Seventy, not the same as the Jude Thaddeus who was one of the Twelve. He went to Edessa in Syria and preached the gospel, there and throughout Syria and Phoenicia, and fell asleep in the Lord in Beirut. The holy martyr Bassa, who was the wife of […]
Aug. 20 The Holy Prophet Samuel
Fifteenth and last of the Judges of Israel, the prophet Samuel lived approximately eleven hundred years before Christ. Born in the tribe of Levi, son of Elkanah and Hannah, he was promised to the Lord by his till-then barren mother. At the age of twelve, Samuel had his first revelation from the Lord God. Samuel […]
Aug. 19 The Holy Martyr Andrew the Centurion and his Companions
The holy martyr Andrew Stratelates was a military commander in the Roman army during the reign of the emperor Maximian (284-305). They loved him in the Roman army because of his bravery, invincibility, and sense of fairness. When a large Persian army invaded the Syrian territories, the governor entrusted St. Andrew with the command of […]
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. 17 The Holy Martyr Myron
The holy martyr Myron was a priest in the town of Achaia. He was of wealthy and prominent origin, yet was kind and meek by nature- a lover of both God and man. During the reign of Emperor Decius, on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, pagans charged into the church, dragged Myron out […]