Feasts and Saints

Hieromartyr Theodotus the Bishop of Cyrenia; Martyr Hesychius

Orthodox Calendar, March 2 Hieromartyr Theodotus Hieromartyr Theodotus, a native of Galatia in Asia Minor, was Bishop of Cyrenia in Cyprus. During a time of persecution against Christians under the impious emperor Licinius (311-324), Saint Theodotus openly preached Christ, calling on the pagans to abandon idolatry and turn to the true God. Sabinus, the governor…

Mar 2, 2026basilica.ro

Martyr Eudokia of Heliopolis; Virginmartyr Domnina of Syria; First Sunday of Lent (of Orthodoxy)

Orthodox Calendar, March 1 Holy Monastic Martyr Eudokia Holy Monastic Martyr Eudokia was a Samaritan, a native of the city of Heliopolis in Phoenicia (modern Baalbek), who lived during the reign of Trajan (98-117). Her pagan impiety took her off the good path, and for a long time she led a sinful life. Her soul…

Mar 1, 2026basilica.ro

Sts. John Cassian and Germanus from Dobrogea; Saint Basil the Confessor (St. Theodore Saturday – Memorial Saturday)

Orthodox Calendar, February 28 Saint John Cassian the Roman and Saint Germanus of Scythia Minor St. John Cassian was born around 360 in today’s Dobrudja, former Dacia Pontica ( in the region known as Scythia Minor, or Lesser Scythia). His pious Christian parents gave him an excellent classical education, and also instructed him in the…

Feb 28, 2026basilica.ro

Sts. Procopius and Thalelaeus

Orthodox Calendar, February 27 Saint Procopius the Dekapolite He lived during the eighth century in the region of Decapolis (Mark 7:31), to the east of Lake Galilee. There he labored for his salvation, struggling in asceticism. Saint Procopius, his fellow ascetic Saint Basil (February 28), and others zealous for holy Orthodoxy rose up against the…

Feb 27, 2026basilica.ro

St. Porphyrius the Bishop of Gaza; Martyr Photini, the Samaritan woman (Great Canon)

Orthodox Calendar February 26 Saint Porphyrius, Archbishop of Gaza He was born about the year 346 at Thessalonica. His parents were people of substance, and this allowed Saint Porphyrius to receive a fine education. Having the inclination for monastic life, he left his native region at twenty-five years of age and set off for Egypt,…

Feb 26, 2026basilica.ro

St. Tarasius the Archbishop of Constantinople (Great Canon)

Orthodox Calendar February 25 St. Tarasius the Archbishop of Constantinople Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople was of illustrious lineage. He was born and raised in Constantinople, where he received a fine education. He was rapidly promoted at the court of the emperor Constantine VI Porphyrogenitos (780-797) and Constantine’s mother, the holy Empress Irene (August 7),…

Feb 25, 2026basilica.ro

First and second finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord, John; Saint Petronius of Prodromos Skete (Aliturgical day. Great Canon)

Orthodox Calendar February 24 First and second finding of the Honorable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord, John After the Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (August 29), his body was buried by disciples in the Samarian city of Sebaste, and his venerable head was hidden…

Feb 24, 2026basilica.ro

Hieromartyr Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna; St. Gorgonia, sister of St. Gregory the Theologian (Beginning of Great Lent. Aliturgical day. Great Canon)

Orthodox Calendar, February 23 Hieromartyr Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was “fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10), was born in the first century, and lived in Smyrna in Asia Minor. He was orphaned at an early age, but at the direction of an angel, he was raised by…

Feb 23, 2026basilica.ro

Sunday of the Expulsion of Adam from Paradise (Cheesefare Sunday); Uncovering of the relics of the Holy Martyrs at the Gate of Eugenius at Constantinople

Orthodox Calendar February 22 Expulsion of Adam from Paradise Scripture reading (Matthew 6:14-21) “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a…

Feb 22, 2026basilica.ro

Venerable Timothy of Symbola; St. Eustathius the Archbishop of Antioch (Saturday of the Venerable Saints)

Orthodox Calendar February 21 Venerable Timothy of Symbola Saint Timothy of Symbola, was of Italian descent. He became a monk at a young age and pursued asceticism at a monastery called “Symbola,” in Asia Minor near Mount Olympus. At that time Theoctistus was the archimandrite of the monastery. Saint Timothy was the disciple of Theoctistus…

Feb 21, 2026basilica.ro

St. Leo the Bishop of Catania in Sicily; Venerable Bessarion (Non-liturgical day. Cheese, milk, eggs and fish allowed)

Orthodox Calendar February 20 Saint Leo, the Bishop of Catania He was bishop of the city of Catania, in Sicily. He was famed for his benevolence and charity, and his Christian love for the poor and the vagrant. The Lord granted him the gifts of healing various illnesses, and working miracles. When Saint Leo was…

Feb 20, 2026basilica.ro