Our venerable father John was born at the end of the eighth century. At a young age he became a disciple of St. Gregory of Decapolis and accepted the monastic tonsure from him at the monastery in Thessalonica. Under the guidance of this experienced teacher, St. John attained great spiritual perfection. When the emperor Leo […]
Tag Archives: prayer
April 17 Our Venerable Father Simeon of Persia; The Venerable Acacius, Bishop of Melitene
Our venerable father Simeon of Saba in Persia, bishop of Seleucis and Ctesiphon, who, by the order of Sapor II, king of the Persians, was arrested and loaded with chains when he refused to adore the sun. Instead, he bore testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ with a bold and most steadfast voice. First he […]
April 15 The Holy Martyrs Aristarchus, Pudens, and Trophimus
The holy apostles Aristarchus, Pudens, and Trophimus were members of the Seventy. Aristarchus was bishop of Apamea in Syria, and mentioned by Paul several times in his epistles (Acts 19:29l Col. 4:10; Philemon v.24). Paul calls him “my fellow-prisoner” and “my fellow-laborer.” Pudens was an important Roman citizen. Paul mentions him once (II Tim 4:21). […]
April 14 Our Holy Father and Confessor Martin, Pope of Rome; The Holy New Martyrs Anthony, John, and Eustathius
Our holy father and confessor Martin, pope of Rome, who condemned the heresy of the Monothlites at the Lateran Synod (693). By the order of the emperor Constans II, an assault was made on the Lateran basilica to capture Martin. He was removed from his See and taken to Constantinople, where he lay in a […]
April 13 The Holy Priest Martyr Artemon and his Companions
The Hieromartyr Artemon was born of Christian parents in Laodicea, Syria in the first half of the third century. From his youth, he dedicated himself to the service of the Church. The saint served the Church as a Reader for sixteen years. For his zeal in Church services, Artemon was ordained a deacon by Bishop […]
April 12 Our Venerable Father and Confessor Basil, Bishop of Parium
Our venerable father Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium, lived during the eighth century. He was elected as bishop by the inhabitants of Parium, who venerated the saint as a true pastor of the flock of Christ. When the Iconoclast heresy broke out, St. Basil resolutely came out on the side of icon veneration and […]
April 11 The Holy Priest Martyr Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum
The Hieromartyr Antipas, a disciple of the holy Apostle John the Theologian, was bishop of the Church of Pergamum during the reign of the emperor Nero (54-68). During these times, everyone who would not offer sacrifice to the idols lived under threat of either exile or execution by order of the emperor. By his personal […]
April 10 The Holy Martyrs Terence, Pompey, and their Companions
The holy martyrs Terence and his companions suffered under the emperor Decius (249-251). The emperor issued an edict commanding all subjects to offer sacrifices to the pagan idols. When Fortunianus, the governor of Africa, received this edict, he gathered the people in the city square, set out cruel instruments of torture and declared that everyone […]
April 9 The Holy Martyr Eupsychius
The holy martyr Eupsychius was of noble birth and was well instructed in pious beliefs. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, when St. Basil the Great governed the Church of God in Caesarea, Eupsychius entered into marriage with a prominent maiden. But alas, it was not given to him to live even one day […]
April 8 The Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, and Companions
The holy apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermas were among the Seventy Apostles. St. Paul mentions them in his epistles. Herodion was a kinsman of Paul. He helped the Apostle Peter in Rome, and was beheaded along with many other Christians the day that St. Peter was crucified. Agabus had a spirit of […]