Feb. 03 Synaxis of the Holy and Just Simeon, Who received God, and the Prophetess Anna

The synaxis of the holy prophet Simeon and the prophetess Anna, who, the one a righteous and devout old man, and the other a widow and prophetess, were worthy to hail the infant Jesus as the Messiah and Savior, the blessed hope and redemption of Israel, when he had been brought to the temple to […]

Jan. 07 Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John

Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John: A “synaxis” feast follows one of the great feasts, and highlights a major personage of yesterday’s celebration. We remember today the work of the Forerunner, John, who baptized Christ.    Troparion The memory of the righteous is celebrated with praise, but for you, O Forerunner, […]

Jan. 05 The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theona; Our Venerable Mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt; The Holy Prophet Micah

The holy martyrs Theopemptus and Theona, of Nicomedia in Bithynia, who met martyrdom in the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (c. 350)  Our venerable mother Syncletica of Alexandria in Egypt, virgin, who is to have led a solitary life that influenced many women of her day. (4th century)  The holy prophet Micah, who in the […]

Jan. 03 The Holy Prophet Malachi & the Holy Martyr Gordius

The Holy Prophet Malachi, after the return from the Babylonian Captivity, announced the great day of the Lord and his coming to his temple, and that always and everywhere a pure offering should be made to his name. The Holy Martyr Gordius, praised in the writings of St. Basil the Great, was a centurion who […]

Dec. 17 The Holy Prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Children: Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael

The holy prophet Daniel and the 3 Holy Children: Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael: all four of these young men were members of the tribe of Judah, deported to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. Daniel is counted as one of the 4 major prophets along with Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekial. The Holy Youths Ananais (“God […]

Dec. 3 The Holy Prophet Zephaniah

The holy prophet Zephaniah announced the destruction of the ungodly on the day of the wrath of the Lord and strengthened the host of poor and needy people in the hope of salvation. He was a native of Mount Sarabatha, from the tribe of Simeon. He lived and prophesied in the 7th century before Christ, […]

Dec. 2 The Holy Prophet Habakkuk

The holy prophet Habakkuk was the son of Asaphat from the tribe of Simeon. He prophesied six hundred years before Christ, during the time of King Manasseh, and foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. When Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, attacked Jerusalem, Habakkuk sought refuge in the land of the Ishmaelites. Habakkuk also prophesied the liberation of […]

Oct. 19 The Holy Prophet Joel; The Holy Martyr Varus

The holy prophet Joel announced the great day of the Lord and the mysterious pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh, which the divine majesty in Christ deemed fit to fulfill marvelously on the day of Pentecost. The holy martyr Varus was a soldier, who, under Maximianus the emperor, visited and refreshed six holy […]

Oct. 17 The Holy Prophet Hosea; The Holy Venerable Martyr Andrew of Crete

The holy prophet Hosea, who not only by his words but also by his manner of life showed the unfaithful people of Israel that the Lord was an ever-faithful Spouse, moved by limitless mercy.  The holy venerable martyr Andrew of Crete was a priest who defended the cult of the holy icons with great vigor […]