Orthodox Calendar, June 16 Hieromartyr Neophyte of Crete, Metropolitan of Wallachia Saint Neophyte was born on the island of Crete around 1690. From his early youth, he turned to monastic life, in which he grew spiritually. At the same time, he learned theology and the sciences of his time and became a hieromonk. He was…
Orthodox Calendar, June 15 Holy Prophet Amos The Holy Prophet Amos, third of the Twelve Minor Prophets, lived during the eighth century before Christ. At this time the Hebrew nation was divided into two kingdoms: Judea and Israel. The Judean king Hosiah ruled in Jerusalem, but the ten separated Israelite tribes were ruled by Jeroboam…
Orthodox Calendar, June 14 The Holy Prophet Elisha The Holy Prophet Elisha lived in the ninth century before the Birth of Christ, and was a native of the village of Abelmaum, near Jordan. By the command of the Lord he was called to prophetic service by the holy Prophet Elias (July 20). When it became…
Orthodox Calendar, June 13 Holy Martyr Aquilina Anative of the Phoenician city of Byblos, she suffered under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Her parents raised her in Christian piety. When the girl was only twelve years old, she persuaded a pagan friend to convert to Christ. One of the servants of the imperial governor Volusian accused…
Orthodox Calendar, June 12 Venerable Onuphrius the Great Saint Paphnutius, who led an ascetical life in the Thebaid desert in Egypt, has left us an account of Saint Onuphrius the Great and the Lives of other fourth century hermits: Timothy the Desert Dweller, the abbas Andrew, Charalampus, Theophilus, and others. It occurred to Saint Paphnutius…
Orthodox Calendar, June 11 Holy Apostle Bartholomew He was born at Cana of Galilee and was one of the Twelve Apostles of Christ. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, it fell by lot to the holy Apostles Bartholomew and Philip (November 14) to preach the Gospel in Syria and…
Orthodox Calendar, June 10 Martyr Alexander and Virginmartyr Antonina at Constantinople The Holy Martyrs Antonina the Virgin and Alexander. Saint Antonina was from the city of Krodamos (Asia Minor). She was arrested for being a Christian, and was brought before the governor Festus. He urged her to worship the pagan gods, promising to make her…
Orthodox Calendar, June 9 St. Cyril the Archbishop of Alexandria Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria, a distinguished champion of Orthodoxy and a great teacher of the Church, came from an illustrious and pious Christian family. He studied the secular sciences, including philosophy, but most of all he strove to acquire knowledge of the Holy Scriptures…
Orthodox Calendar, June 8 Martyrs Nicandros and Marcianus They were soldiers in the Roman Army stationed by the Danube River at Durostorum, today’s Silistra (Bulgaria), in the time of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). In 298, Emperor Maximian Galeriu removed all Christians from military ranks, arrestinf and persecuting them to death. When he visited the cities on…
Orthodox Calendar, June 7 Hieromartyr Theodotus, Bishop of Ancyra The Holy Martyr Theodotus lived in Ancyra of Galatia in the third century. He was distinguished by his kindliness and concern. At the height of the persecution under Diocletian (284-305) he provided Christians with everything they needed, and gave them shelter in his home. There they…
Orthodox Calendar, June 6 Saint Hilarion the New, Abbot of the Dalmatian Monastery He was born of pious parents, Peter and Theodosia, who raised him in the virtues and instructed him in Holy Scripture. At twelve years of age Saint Hilarion was tonsured as a monk at the Hesychius monastery near Constantinople, and from there…
