The holy martyr Charalampus was a bishop in Magnesia who suffered for Christ in his 113th year. When a terrible persecution began during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, the elderly Charalampus did not hide from the persecutors. Instead, he freely and openly perched the Christian faith. He endured all tortures as though he were […]
Tag Archives: martyr
Feb. 09 The Holy Martyr Nicephorus
The holy martyr Nicephorus lived in the city of Syrian Antioch. In this city lived also the presbyter Sapricius, with whom Nicephorus was very friendly, so that they were considered brothers. They quarreled because of some disagreement, and their former love changed into enmity and hate. The holy martyr Nicephor took the place of Sapricius, […]
Feb. 08 The Holy Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit; The Holy Prophet Zechariah the Sickle
St. Theodore, a Roman commander in the army of emperor Licincius and the governor of the town of Heraclea, scorned his youth, his handsome appearance, his military rank, and the good grace of the emperor; he was martyred in the year 318. His miracle-working relics were translated from Euchaita to Constantinople and interred in the […]
Feb. 05 The Holy Martyr Agatha
The holy martyr Agatha, the glorious virgin and martyr for Christ, was born in the Sicilian town of Palermo to noble and wealthy parents. When the emperor Decius began the persecution of Christians, St. Agatha was arrested and brought to trial before the judge Quintian. The judge, seeing Agatha beautiful in countenance, desired to have […]
Feb. 01 The Holy Martyr Tryphon
The holy martyr Tryphon was born in Phrygia, one of the districts of Asia Minor. From his early years, the Lord granted him the power to cast out demons and to heal various maladies. He once saved the inhabitants of his native city of Lampsacus from starvation. He was condemned to death by beheading with […]
Jan. 29 The translation of the Relics of the Holy Bishop and Martyr Ignatius of Antioch
The translation of the Relics of the Holy Priest Martyr Ignatius the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch: Ignatius was martyred in Rome at the beginning of the second century. His remains were later translated to Antioch, his birthplace and his episcopate. During the invasion of the Persians, the relics were once again taken from Antioch to […]
Jan. 22 The Holy Apostle Timothy; The Venerable Martyr Anastasius the Persian
The holy apostle Timothy who, disciple of St. Paul the Apostle and his assistant in his apostolate, was the leader of the church at Ephesus. Two epistles were written to him that offer wise counsels on the ordering of pastors and the faithful. The venerable martyr Anastasius the Persian from Bethsaloe in Persia, monk. After […]
Jan. 21 Our Venerable Father Maximus the Confessor; The Holy Martyr Neophyte; The Holy Martyrs Eugene, Candidus, Valerian, and Aquila
Our venerable father Maximus the confessor, noted theologian and writer who resigned his post as secretary to the Emperor Heraclius and entered the monastery of Chrysopolis, of which he eventually became hegumen. He headed the opposition to the Monothelite heresy. For this he was banished, imprisoned, and lost his tongue and right hand. The holy […]
Jan. 18 Our Holy Fathers, Athanasius and Cyril, Archbishops of Alexandria
Our holy father St. Athanasius is one of the four great doctors of the Byzantine Church, called the Father of Orthodoxy. He opposed the Arians with admirable zeal and endured exile for 46 years. He died in 373. Our holy father St. Cyril opposed the Nestorians and taught that the divine and human natures in […]
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, […]