Lives of the Saints

2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas

2nd Sunday of Great Lent: St Gregory Palamas

This Sunday was originally dedicated to Saint Polycarp of Smyrna (February 23). After his glorification in 1368, a second commemoration of Saint Gregory Palamas (November 14) was appointed for the Second Sunday of Great Lent as a second “Triumph of Orthodoxy.” Saint Gregory Palamas,…

Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves Lavra

Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves Lavra

On the second Sunday of Great Lent, we commemorate the Synaxis of all the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves Monastery: those who rest in the Near Caves of Saint Anthony (see September 28), as well as those who rest in the Far Caves of Saint Theodosios (see August 28). The Canon, which was added…

Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Corinth

Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Corinth

During a persecution against Christians (in the third century) a certain pious woman named Rufina fled from Corinth to a mountain, to escape from her pursuers. There she gave birth to a son Quadratus, and died soon afterward. By the Providence of God the infant remained alive and was nourished in…

Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Nicomedia

Martyr Quadratus and those with him at Nicomedia

The Holy Martyrs Quadratus of Nicomedia, Saturinus, Rufinus and others suffered during the persecutions of the emperor Decius (249-251) and his successor Valerian (253-259). Saint Quadratus was descended from an illustrious family. Possessing considerable wealth, the saint did not spare his means…

Saint Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria

Saint Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria

Saint Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria lived in Constantinople and was descended from an aristocratic family. She was an image of virtue, and she enjoyed the great esteem of the emperor Justinian (527-565). Widowed at a young age, Anastasia decided to leave the world and save her soul far from…

Saint John of Khakhuli the Oqropiri, also called Chrysostom

Saint John of Khakhuli the Oqropiri, also called Chrysostom

In the second half of the 10th century King Davit Kuropalates founded Khakhuli Monastery in the historical region of Tao, at the gorge of the Khakhuli River, where it joins the Tortumi River. Once famed for its holiness and academic activity, today Khakhuli Monastery is a Turkish possession and has…