Lives of the Saints

Hieromartyr Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia and those with him

Hieromartyr Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia and those with him

The Hieromartyr Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia, and those with him suffered during the persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311). The persecution became particularly intense after a fire at the imperial court at Nicomedia. The pagans accused the…

Venerable Theoctistus

Venerable Theoctistus

Saint Theoctistus of Palestine was a great ascetic who lived in the Judean wilderness in the Wadi Mukellik. At first, he was the companion of Saint Euthymius the Great (January 20) in the ascetic lfe. So great was their mutual affection and oneness of mind that they seemed to live as one soul in…

Blessed John “the Hairy” and Fool-For-Christ at Rostov

Blessed John “the Hairy” and Fool-For-Christ at Rostov

Blessed John the Merciful of Rostov (also known as “the Hairy”) struggled at Rostov in the exploit of holy foolishness, enduring much deprivation and sorrow. He did not have a permanent shelter, and at times took his rest at the house of his spiritual Father, a priest at the church of…

Saint Phoebe the Deaconess at Cenchreae near Corinth

Saint Phoebe the Deaconess at Cenchreae near Corinth

Saint Phoebe is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans 16:1-2. "I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, the deaconess1 of the church of Cenchrea2 that you may receive her in the Lord, as befits the saints, and may assist her in whatever business she has need of you, for she has…

Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia

Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia

The Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia suffered for her faith in Christ under the emperor Diocletian. The Nicomedia governor Alexander gave orders to arrest the nine-year-old Basilissa and force her to renounce Christ. But the young maiden displayed unshakable firmness in fidelity to her Lord, and so…

Hieromartyr Aristion, Bishop of Alexandria

Hieromartyr Aristion, Bishop of Alexandria

Saint Aristion was the bishop of lesser Alexandria in Cilicia (Asia Minor). He was born in the small town of Aribazo in the eparchy of Apamea, Syria at the beginning of the second century. His parents were pagans, and he spent his early years in an atmosphere of idolatry. We do not know what sort…

Saint Joannicius, first Patriarch of Serbia

Saint Joannicius, Patriarch of Serbia, was a native of the city of Prizren. At first, he was a secretary under King Karl (Charles) of Serbia, and later on from the year 1339, he guided the Church as Archbishop. In the year 1346 a Council of all the Serbian archpastors, and including also the…

Pisidia Icon of the Mother of God

The exact origin of this Icon is unknown. The miracles by which it was glorified, and the information which has come down to us, date back to the VI century, and even then it was called ancient. Evidence of the Icon's presence in Sozopol can be documented up to the VIII century, after which it is…