The Protection of the Theotokos: On Oct. 1, 911 during the reign of emperor Leo the Wise, there was an all-night vigil in the Blanchernae church of the Theotokos in Constantinople. Standing near the rear of the church was St. Andrew the Fool for Christ, and his disciple Epiphanius. At four o’clock in the morning, […]
Tag Archives: saints
Sept. 30 The Holy Martyr Gregory, Bishop of Armenia
The holy martyr Gregory, bishop of Armenia, who after many labors withdrew into a cave near the confluence of tributaries of the Euphrates and there rested in peace in 332. He is called “the Illuminator” and is considered the apostle to the Armenians. Troparion Today we faithful are invited to sign a hymn, to […]
Sept. 29 Our Venerable Father Cyriacus the Anchorite
Our venerable father Cyriacus the anchorite was born in Corinth of a Christian family, he left to go to Jerusalem and entered the monastery. He learned at the feet of saints such as Euthymius and Gerasimos. He was famous for his silence, his asceticism, and his zeal for the Orthodox faith. Troparion You made […]
Sept. 28 Our Venerable Father and Confessor Chariton; Holy Wenceslaus, Prince of the Czechs; The Holy Prophet Baruch
Our venerable father and confessor Chariton was abbot in the Old Lavra near Bethlehem in Palestine during the 4th century. He was diligent in prayer and fasting, and founded many lavras in the desert before his falling asleep in the Lord in 362. The holy martyr Wenceslaus, prince of the Czechs, was the leader of […]
Sept. 26 The Passing of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
The holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian reposed when he was more than a hundred years old. He far outlived the other eyewitnesses of the Lord, and for a long time he remained the only remaining eyewitness of the earthly life of the Savior. When it was time for his departure from this life, […]
Sept. 25 Our Venerable Mother Euphrosyna
Our venerable mother Euphrosyna was born to parents long childless, who brought her up in the Christian faith. She presented herself, in man’s clothing, to the abbot of a local monastery, who admitted her and placed her in the spiritual care of the monk Agapetus. After thirty-eight years of living the monastic life, her father […]
Sept. 24 The Holy Martyr, First Among Women, and Equal to the Apostles, Thecla
The holy martyr Thecla, first among women and equal to the Apostles, was converted to the faith by the preaching of the Apostle Paul when he came to Iconium with Barnabas. Thecla became a follower of Paul, and went with him to Antioch. She settled in a solitary place near Seleucia, and was martyred in […]
Sept. 23 The Conception of the Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist
The Conception of the Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist: On this day are celebrated God’s mercy, His wondrous deeds, and His wisdom. The holy Prophet Malachi prophesied that before the Messiah’s birth His Forerunner would appear, and would indicate His coming. The Jews therefore in awaiting the Messiah also awaited the appearance of His […]
Sept. 16 The Holy Great-Martyr Euphemia the All-Praiseworthy
The holy great-martyr Euphemia was raised by her devout Christian parents. Her father, Philophronus, was a senator. UNder the emperor Diocletian, when the Proconsul Priscus held a feast and offered sacrifice to Ares in Chalcedon, forty-nine Christians avoided this sacrificial offering and hid themselves. However, they were discovered and brought before Priscus. Among them was […]
Sept. 15 The Holy Great Martyr Nicetas
The holy great martyr Nicetas the Goth was a disciple of Theophilus, Bishop of the Goths, who participated in the First Ecumenical Council [Nicaea 325]. When the Gothic prince Athenarik began to torture Christians, St. Nicetas stood before the prince and denounced him for his paganism and inhumanity. Subsequently harshly tortured, Nicetas confessed his faith […]