life of saints

Ven. Pelagia and Thais

Orthodox Calendar October 8 Saint Pelagia the Penitent She was converted to Christianity by Saint Nonnus, Bishop of Edessa (Saturday of Cheesefare Week). Before her acceptance of Christianity through Baptism, Pelagia was head of a dance troupe in Palestinian Antioch, living a life of frivolity and prostitution. One day Pelagia, elegantly dressed, was making her…

Oct 8, 2025basilica.ro

Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus; Martyrs Julian the Priest, Caesarius the Deacon, and Polychronius

Orthodox Calendar October 7 Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus The Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus in Syria were appointed to high positions in the army by the emperor Maximian (284-305), who did not know that they were Christians. Envious people informed Maximian that his two trusted counselors did not honor the pagan gods. This was considered to…

Oct 7, 2025basilica.ro

Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas; Martyr Heroteida

Orthodox Calendar October 6 Holy Apostle Thomas He was born in the Galileian city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after him. According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of…

Oct 6, 2025Iulian Dumitraşcu

(†) The Ascension of our Lord (Heroes Day)

Orthodox Calendar – The Ascension of our Lord I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and to My God, and Your God (John 20:17). In these words the Risen Christ described to Mary Magdalene the mystery of His Resurrection. She had to carry this mysterious message to His disciples, “as they mourned and wept”…

May 29, 2025basilica.ro

Great and Holy Thursday (Matins); Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, and those with him

Orthodox Calendar April 17 Great and Holy Thursday Two events shape the liturgy of Great and Holy Thursday: the Last Supper of Christ with His disciples, and the betrayal of Judas. The meaning of both is in love. The Last Supper is the ultimate revelation of God’s redeeming love for man, of love as the…

Apr 17, 2025basilica.ro

Martyr Sava the Goth; Saint Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium (Lazarus Saturday. Memorial Saturday)

Orthodox calendar April 12 Martyr Sava the Goth The Martyr was a Goth who lived during the fourth century. At this time the Arian bishop Wulfilas preached Christianity among the Goths, and Saint Sava was among those who were baptized. Saint Sava led a virtuous life, devout, peaceful, temperate, simple, and quiet. He avoided women,…

Apr 12, 2025basilica.ro

Holy Martyr Victorinus and those with him; Martyrs Theodulus and Agathopodes (Memorial Saturday)

Orthodox Calendar, April 5 Holy Martyr Victorinus and those with him Troparion of Saints Claudius, Diodoros, Victor, Victorinus, Pappios, Serapion, and Nikephoros — Tone 4 Your holy martyrs, O Lord, / through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. / For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, / and shattered…

Apr 5, 2025basilica.ro

Sts. Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople and Luke the New Stylite of Chalcedon

Orthodox Calendar, December 11 Saint Daniel the Stylite He was born in the village of Bethara, near the city of Samosata in Mesopotamia. His mother Martha was childless for a long while and in her prayers she vowed that if she had a child, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Her prayers were heard,…

Dec 11, 2024basilica.ro

Martyr Galacteon and his wife Episteme at Emesa

Orthodox Calendar, November 5 Martyr Galacteon and his wife Episteme at Emesa There was a rich and distinguished couple named Kletophon and Leukippe, who lived in the Syrian city of Emesa, and for a long time they were childless. They gave much gold to the pagan priests, but still they remained childless. The city of…

Nov 5, 2024basilica.ro

Apostle Philip, one of the 7 deacons; Holy Hierarch Theophanes the Confessor, bishop of Nicea

Orthodox Calendar, October 11 Apostle Philip, one of the 7 deacons He is not to be confused with St Philip one of the Twelve Apostles (November 14). This Philip was born in Palestine, was married and had children. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Twelve Apostles made Philip a deacon in the Church…

Oct 11, 2024basilica.ro

Midfeast of Pentecost; Apostle Simon the Zealot (Fish allowed)

Saint Simon was from Cana in Galilee, and was known to the Lord and His Mother. Tradition says that he was the bridegroom at the wedding where the Savior performed His first miracle. After witnessing the miracle of the water which had been turned into wine, he became a zealous follower of Christ. For this…

May 10, 2023basilica.ro