Saint Maximus the Confessor He was born in Constantinople around 580 and raised in a pious Christian family. He received an excellent education, studying philosophy, grammar, and rhetoric. He was well-read in the authors of…
The Martyrs Anicetus and Photius (his nephew) were natives of Nicomedia. Anicetus, a military official, denounced the emperor Diocletian (284-305) for setting up in the city square an implement of execution for frightening Christians. The…
Saint Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople He was a native of Greece, and accepted monasticism at Epidauros. After the death of his Elder Anthony, he went to Athos, where he occupied himself by the copying of…
The Holy Apostle Matthias of the Seventy He was born at Bethlehem of the Tribe of Judah. From his early childhood, he studied the Law of God under the guidance of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver…
Saint Emilian, Bishop of Cyzikus Saint Emilian, Bishop of Cyzikus, lived during the reign of the Iconoclast emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820). He was summoned together with other bishops to the court of the emperor,…
The Transfer of the Relics of the Holy Protomartyr Stephen The Transfer of the Relics of the Holy Protomartyr Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople took place about the year 428 After the holy Protomartyr Archdeacon Stephen…
Dormition of the Righteous Anna, the Mother of the Most Holy Mother of God She was the daughter of the priest Matthan and his wife Mary. She was of the tribe of Levi and the…
Martyr Christina The Martyr Christina lived during the third century. She was born into a rich family, and her father was governor of Tyre. By the age of 11 the girl was exceptionally beautiful, and…
Venerable Macrina Saint Macrina was the sister of the holy hierarchs Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, and was born in Cappadocia at the beginning of the fourth century. Her mother, Emilia, saw an…
Holy Martyr Emilian of Durostorum The Holy Martyr Emilian suffered for Christ during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian wanted to restore the cult of the pagan gods throughout the Roman Empire, and…