Lives of the Saints

“Surety of Sinners” Icon of the Mother of God of Korets

“Surety of Sinners” Icon of the Mother of God of Korets

This ancient icon of the Mother of God "Surety of Sinners" of Korets was kept in the castle of the Korets Princes for a long time, and it was called "blessed." After the death of Samuel, the last of the Orthodox Princes of Korets, his brother John offered to let his sister, Igoumeness Seraphima…

Saint Sampson the Hospitable of Constantinople

Saint Sampson the Hospitable of Constantinople

Saint Sampson (Σαμψών) was born in Rome, the son of wealthy, but devout and virtuous parents. He received an excellent education, studying philosophy and medicine, among other subjects. From his earliest childhood, he lived an exemplary Christian life. After the death of his parents he…

Saint Joanna the Myrrhbearer

Saint Joanna the Myrrhbearer

Saint Joanna was the wife of Herod's household stewart Khouza (Χουζά) and she served the Lord during His public ministry, along with some other women. She is mentioned in Luke 8:3 and 24:10. According to Tradition, she recovered the head of Saint John the Baptist after Herodias had disposed…

Venerable Serapion of Kozhe Lake

Among the captives whom the Kazan Tatars brought to Moscow in 1551 was the myrza (Tatar Prince) Turtas Gravirovich. He was baptized with the name Sergius and lived in the home of the Moscow boyar Zachariah Plescheev. Sergius embraced the Christian Faith so sincerely, that he decided to dedicate…

Saint Severus the Presbyter of Interocrea, Italy

Saint Severus the Presbyter during the sixth century served in a church of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Interocrea in Central Italy. He was noted for his virtuous and God-pleasing life. One time, when the saint was working in his garden, cutting grapes in the vineyard, they summoned…

Venerable George of Mount Athos

Venerable George of Mount Athos

Saint George’s family had its roots in the region of Samtskhe in southern Georgia. George was born in Trialeti to the pious Jacob and Mariam. When George reached the age of seven, the God-fearing and wise Abbess Sabiana of Tadzrisi Monastery in Samtskhe took him under her care. George spent…

Venerable Martin of Turov

Saint Martin of Turov served as a cook under the Turov bishops Simeon, Ignatius, Joachim (1144-1146), and George. This last hierarch made Saint Martin retire because of his age. But the old man did not want to leave the monastery (the bishops lived at the monastery of Saints Boris and Gleb), and so…

Hieromartyr Kirion II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia

Hieromartyr Kirion II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia

The holy Hieromartyr Kirion II (known in the world as George Sadzaglishvili) was born in 1855 in the village of Nikozi in the Gori district. His father was a priest. He enrolled at the parochial school in Ananuri, then at the theological school in Gori, and finally at Tbilisi Seminary. In 1880 he…