Orthodox Calendar, August 10 Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence Saint Laurence served as Archdeacon under Pope Sixtus in Rome during the persecution of Emperor Valerian (253–260). When Pope Sixtus was arrested together with the deacons Felicissimus and Agapitus, Laurence visited him in prison and pleaded to share his martyrdom. „Where are you going, Father, without your…
Orthodox Calendar, August 9 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 (February 3). When the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to the world, Saint Matthias believed in…
Orthodox Calendar, August 8 Holy Priest-Martyr Alexander of Bessarabia Hieromartyr Alexander Baltaga was born in the blessed land of Bessarabia on April 14, 1861, in the village of Lozova, Lăpușna County. He was part of a devout family that provided many worthy servants to this land. His father, Priest Ștefan Baltaga, served at Saint Nicholas…
Orthodox Calendar, August 7 Venerable Theodora of Sihla This spiritual flower and bride of Christ that the blessed land of Moldavia gave birth to, was born about the middle of the 17th century, in Vânători-Neamţ village, to righteous parents obedient to God. Her father, Ştefan Joldea the Armorer was a guardian at the Citadel of…
Orthodox Calendar, August 6 Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica For an explanation of the present Feast and understanding of its truth, it is necessary for us to turn to the very start of today’s reading from the Gospel: “Now after…
Orthodox Calendar, August 5 Forefeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord The Lord had begun warning his disciples about the dangers they would face, and also about His Passion and death. He also told them that they would be persecuted by pagans and enemies of the Gospel. He explained that these things pertain to the…
Orthodox Calendar, August 4 The Seven Youths of Ephesus Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in…
Orthodox Calendar, August 3 Saint Heraclius the Confessor of Bessarabia Saint Heraclius the Confessor of Bessarabia was born in Pojorâta, Câmpulung Moldovenesc County, on May 11, 1893, receiving the name Ioan at baptism. His parents, Ignat and Elisabeta Flocea, hardworking peasants, provided him with a fine education, raising him in love and devotion to God…
Orthodox Calendar, August 2 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 was stoned by the Jews, they left his holy body unburied to be devoured by the…
Orthodox Calendar, August 1 The Procession of the Venerable Wood of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord: In the Greek Horologion of 1897 the derivation of this Feast is explained: “Because of the illnesses that occur in August, it was customary, in former times, to carry the Venerable Wood of the Cross through the streets…
Orthodox Calendar July 31 Saint Eudocimus Saint Eudocimus, a native of Cappadocia (Asia Minor), lived during the ninth century during the reign of Emperor Theophilus (829-842). He was the son of the pious Christians Basil and Eudokia, an illustrious family known to the emperor. They raised their son “in discipline and admonition of the Lord”…
