Lives of the Saints

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

The Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the Samaritan Woman, her sons Victor (named Photinus) and Joses; and her sisters Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskevḗ, Kyriake; Nero’s daughter Domnina; and the Martyr Sebastian: The holy Martyr Photina was the Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed…

Saint Nikephoros the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Nikephoros the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Nikephoros (Nikēphóros) was a dignitary at the court of the Empress Irene (797-802). After embracing monasticism, he became widely known for his piety. He assumed the Patriarchal Throne of Constantinople in 806 and became a zealous defender of the holy Icons. In 815, the Iconoclast Emperor…

New Martyr John the New of Sochi, who suffered at Belgrade

New Martyr John the New of Sochi, who suffered at Belgrade

The Holy Great Martyr John the New of Sochi, lived in the fourteenth century in the city of Trebizond. He was a merchant, devout and firm in his Orthodoxy, and generous to the poor. Once, he happened to be sailing on a ship while pursuing his trading activities. The captain of the ship was not…

Uncovering of the relics of Venerable Juliana, Princess of Vyazma

The relics of the holy Princess Juliana of Vyazma were uncovered in 1819. Saint Juliana’s body was buried in the Torzhok cathedral on the right side by the south doors in 1407. Later, a tomb for her relics was built at the Savior-Transfiguration cathedral, where she healed many. In…

Icon of the Mother of God of Kiev-Bratsk

Icon of the Mother of God of Kiev-Bratsk

The Kiev-Bratsk Icon of the Mother of God is also commemorated on September 6, May 10, and on Saturday of the Fifth Week of Great Lent.