Our holy father Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria, 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 Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria, opposed the Nestorians and taught that the divine […]
Tag Archives: saints
Jan. 9 The Holy Martyr Polyeuctus
The holy martyr Polyeuctus: The Armenian city of Melitene was drenched with the blood of Christians, as was the entire country of Armenia. The first blood shed for Christ in this city was that of St. Polyeuctus in the year 259, during the reign of Valerian. In Melitene were two friends: Nearchus and Polyeuctus. Both […]
Jan. 8 Our Venerable Fathers George the Chozebite and Emilian the Confessor; Our Venerable Mother Dominica
Our venerable father George the Chozebite was a Cypriot monk at the Monastery of the Mother of God at Chozeba near Jericho (614) Our venerable father Emilian the Confessor was a native of Vannes, in what is now France. He was a recluse (767) Our venerable mother Dominica, born in Carthage in North Africa, lived […]
Jan. 7 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, the […]
Jan. 6 The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ
The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ: Since the second century, the Church has celebrated the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River for our sanctification. Troparion At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, worship of the Trinity was revealed; for the Father’s voice bore witness to You, calling You […]
Jan. 5 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. 4 Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles; Our Venerable Father Theoctistus
Synaxis of the Holy 70 Apostles, whose names were recorded by St. Dorotheus. In addition to the Twelve Apostles, our Lord chose seventy other apostles and sent them out to preach (cf. Luke 10: 1-5) Our Venerable Father Theoctistus, Hegumen at Cuomo in Sicily founded a monastery in the city of Kucuma on the island […]
Jan. 3 The Holy Prophet Malachi; The Holy Martyr Gordius
The Holy Prophet Malachi, who 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 […]
Jan. 2 Our Holy Father Sylvester, Pope of Rome
Our holy father Sylvester, Pope of Rome who piously ruled the Church for many years. During his pontificate, Constantine the Emperor built basilicas worthy of veneration and the Nicene Council of 325 acclaimed Christ the Son of God. On this day in Rome in the cemetery of Priscillia his body was laid to rest in […]
Jan. 1 The Circumcision of Our Lord and the Commemoration Our Holy father Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia
The circumcision of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ: Coming eight days after the birth of Christ, this feast commemorates his naming and his becoming a member of the Covenant of Moses. Our Holy father Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, who is called “great” in learning and wisdom. He taught meditation […]