The holy martyrs Menodora, Mitrodora, and Nymphodora were sisters from Bythinia. Brought up as Christians, they withdrew from the city into the desert to live for Christ alone, and gave themselves up to fasting, prayer, and work. They became famous as a source of healing illness, which brought them to the attention of the governor. […]
Tag Archives: martyrs
Sept. 1 The Beginning of the Church New Year; Our Venerable Father Simeon the Stylite and his Mother; The Synaxis of the most holy Theotokos of Miasena; The Holy Martyr Aeithalas; The Forty Holy Women martyred with their Instructor Ammon the Deacon; The Holy Martyr Callista and her two brothers, Evodius and Hermogenes; Joshua the Just, Son of Nun
The First Ecumenical Council (325) decreed that the Church’s year should begin on September 1. The lunar month corresponding to September on the Jewish calendar was the beginning of the civil year (cf Exodus 12:2); it was at this time that our Lord Jesus went into the synagogue at Nazareth and read the words of […]
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. 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. 4 The Holy Seven Children of Ephesus; The Holy Venerable Martyr Eudoxia
The holy seven children of Ephesus: During the persecution of the emperor Decius, seven young soldiers refused to sacrifice to idols. Tradition says that their names were: Maximilian, Iamblichus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus, and Antoninus. They concealed themselves in a cave outside of Ephesus, and the emperor sealed them into that cave to kill them […]
July 1 The Holy Unmercenary Healers and Wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian of Rome
The holy martyrs, wonderworkers, and unmercenary healers Cosmas and Damian were brothers born in Rome, and physicians by profession. They led strict chaste lives and were granted by God the gift to heal the sick. By their generosity and exceptional kindness, the brothers converted many to Christ. Their spiritual influence attracted the attention of the […]
April 29 The Nine Martyrs of Cyzice; Our Venerable Father Memnon the Wonderworker
The nine holy martyrs of Cyzice burned with a love for Christ. These martyrs refused to offer sacrifice to idols or deny Christ as their Lord. They were cruelly tortured and finally beheaded in the third century. Our venerable father Memnon the Wonderworker was from early days devoted to fasting and prayer, and became a […]
April 28 The Holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater; The Holy Martyrs Dadas, Maximum and Quintillian
The holy apostles Jason and Sosipater were disciples of St. Paul during the reign of the emperor Nero. They are mentioned in Romans 16:21 by Paul, who calls them his kinsmen. Jason was the first bishop of Tarsus, and Sosipater the first bishop of Iconium. The holy martyrs Dadas, Maximus, and Quintillian were, at Dorostrorus […]
April 21 The Holy Bishop Martyr Januarius and His Companions; The Holy Martyr Theodore of Perga
The holy bishop martyr Januarius and his companions Proculus, Sonius and Faustus (deacons), Desiderius (lector), Eutyches, and Akutionus were martyred in the reigns of Maximian and Galerius the emperors, by the persecutor Timothy. Januarius was bishop of Benevento in Italy. To this day, many wonders are worked at the tomb of this saint. The holy […]