Orthodox Calendar February 14 Saint Auxentius By origin a Syrian, he served at the court of the emperor Theodosius the Younger (418-450). He was known as a virtuous, learned and wise man, and he was, moreover, a friend of many of the pious men of his era. Distressed by worldly vanity, Saint Auxentius was ordained…
Orthodox Calendar, February 13 Venerable Martinian of Caesarea, in Palestine Saint Martinian went to live in the wilderness at the age of eighteen, not far from the city of Caesarea in Palestine. For twenty-five years, he devoted himself to ascetic deeds and silence, and he was granted the gift of healing illnesses and casting out…
Orthodox Calendar, February 12 Saint Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch He was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia (ca. 357), and afterwards he was summoned to Antioch by the emperor Constantius to help combat the Arian heresy, and was appointed to that See. Saint Meletius struggled zealously against the Arian error, but through the intrigues of the…
Orthodox Calendar, February 11 Hieromartyr Blaise (Blasius), Bishop of Sebaste He was known for his righteous and devout life. Unanimously chosen by the people, he was consecrated Bishop of Sebaste. This occurred during the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Licinius (307-324), fierce persecutors of Christians. Saint Blaise encouraged his flock, visited the…
Orthodox Calendar, February 10 Hieromartyr Charalampus, Bishop of Magnesia The bishop and the Martyrs Porphyrius and Baptus and Three Women Martyrs suffered in the year 202. Saint Charalampus, Bishop of Magnesia (Asia Minor), successfully spread faith in Christ the Savior, guiding people on the way to salvation. News of his preaching reached Lucian, the governor…
Orthodox Calendar, February 9 The Holy Martyr Nicephorus The Holy Martyr Nicephorus lived in the city of Syrian Antioch. In this city lived also the presbyter Sapricius, with whom Nicephorus was very friendly so that they were considered as brothers. They quarrelled because of some disagreement, and their former love changed into enmity and hate.…
Orthodox Calendar, February 8 Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates He came from the city of Euchaita in Asia Minor. He was endowed with many talents, and was handsome in appearance. For his charity God enlightened him with the knowledge of Christian truth. The bravery of the saintly soldier was revealed after he, with the help of…
Orthodox Calendar, February 7 Saint Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsacus He was a native of the city of Melitoupolis (in northwestern Asia Minor), where his father Christopher served as deacon. The youth did not receive adequate schooling, but he learned the Holy Scripture by attending church services. He had a good heart, and distributed to the…
Orthodox Calendar, February 6 Saint Bucolus, Bishop of Smyrna He was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian and became the first Bishop of Smyrna (Asia Minor). By the grace of God, Saint Bucolus converted many of the pagans to Christ and baptized them. As a wise and experienced guide, he…
Orthodox Calendar, February 5 Holy Virgin Martyr Agatha of Palermo She was the fifteen-year-old daughter of rich and respected Christian parents from the city of Palermo (formerly Panormos) in Sicily. During the persecution under the emperor Decius (249-251), the city prefect of Catania, Quintianus, having heard about Agatha’s wealth and beauty, sent his soldiers after…
Orthodox Calendar, February 4 Saint Isidore of Pelusium Saint Isidore of Pelusium lived during the fourth-fifth centuries. He was a native of Alexandria, and was raised among pious Christians. He was a relative of Theophilus, Archbishop of Alexandria, and of his successor, Saint Cyril (January 18). While still a youth he quit the world and…
