Orthodox Calendar, March 8 Holy Priest-Martyr Liviu Galaction of Cluj Saint Liviu Galaction was born on May 16, 1898, in the village of Cristian, Brașov County. His father, Nicolae Munteanu, was a teacher, and his mother, Maria, was a homemaker. They had six children, of whom Liviu Galaction was the second. From childhood, he showed…
Orthodox Calendar, March 7 In the year 300, Bishop Hermon of Jerusalem sent to the city of Cherson in Tauric Scythia (Crimea) two bishops, Ephraim and Basileus, to preach the teaching of the Gospel. Ephraim went to Scythia, where, after many labours in the service of the Word of God, he suffered a martyr’s death.…
Orthodox Calendar, March 6 42 Martyrs of Ammoria The Holy 42 Martyrs of Ammoria: Constantine, Aetius (Aetitus), Theophilus, Theodore, Melissenus, Callistus, Basoes and the others with them. During a war between the Byzantine Emperor Theophilus (829-842) and the Saracens, the Saracens managed to besiege the city of Ammoria (in Galicia in Asia Minor). As a…
Orthodox Calendar, March 5 Martyr Conon of Isauria The Holy Martyr Conon of Isauria was born in Bethany, a village near the Asia Minor city of Isauria, whose inhabitants had accepted Christianity from the Apostle Paul. From his youth, Saint Conon was accorded the special protection of the “Archistrategos” (“Leader of the Heavenly Hosts”) Michael,…
Orthodox Calendar, March 4 Saint Gerasimus of Jordan He was a native of Lycia (Asia Minor). From his early years he was distinguished for his piety. Having received monastic tonsure, he withdrew into the desert of the Thebaid (in Egypt). Thereafter, in about the year 450, the monk arrived in Palestine and settled at the…
Orthodox Calendar, March 3 The Holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basiliscus of Amasea The Holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basiliscus suffered in the city of Pontine Amasea (Asia Minor) in about the year 308. The brothers Eutropius and Cleonicus, and Basiliscus the nephew of the Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit (February 17), were comrades. After…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
