Holy Father Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople Saint Niphon (Nḗphon) II, the Patriarch of Constantinople, was from the Peloponnesos. His parents were named Manuel and Maria, and he was named Nicholas in Holy Baptism. Later, he was tonsured as a monk at Epidauros, receiving the new name Niphon. After the death of his Elder Anthony, he…

Holy Martyr Laurence the Archdeacon The Martyrs Archdeacon Laurence, Pope Sixtus, Deacons Felicissimus and Agapitus, and the soldier Romanus were citizens of Rome, and suffered in the year 258 during the reign of Emperor Valerian (253-260). Saint Sixtus was born in the city of Athens, and at first he was a philosopher, but later he…

St. Herman of Alaska A spiritual mission was organized in 1793, made up of monks of the Valaam Monastery. They were sent to preach the Word of God to the native inhabitants of northwestern America, who only ten years before had come under the sovereignty of Russia. Saint Herman was among the members of this…

Holy New Martyr Anastasius, martyred in Thessalonica in 1794 Saint Spaso, also called Anastasios, was born in the village of Rodovis that was situated in the Strumitza district of Bulgaria. At the age of twenty he went to Thessaloniki, where he worked as a clerk in a clothing store. One day his superior asked him…

Venerable Pimen the Much-Ailing of the Lavra of the Kiev Caves Saint Pimen the Much-ailing attained the Kingdom of Heaven by enduring grievous illness. This Russian ascetic was both born and grew up sickly, but his illness preserved him from illness of the soul. For a long time he besought his parents to send him…

the Holy Transfiguration of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica For an explanation of the present Feast and understanding of its truth, it is necessary for us to turn to the very start…

New Martyr Christos of Preveza Not many people know the life of St. Christos from Preveza, Epirus, who is commemorated on August 5 and is a miracle worker. His spiritual senses worked perfectly because he was nurtured by Orthodox Christian teaching from his childhood and brought up in an atmosphere of Christian traditions. As a…

Seven Sleepers of Ephesus The Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in…

Venerable Father Antony the Roman, Wonderworker and Abbot of Novgorod Saint Anthony the Roman was born at Rome in 1067 to rich parents who adhered to the Orthodox Faith, and they raised him in piety. After losing his parents at age 17, he took up the study of the Fathers in the Greek language. Afterwards,…

Venerable Father Basil the Blessed, Fool for Christ and Wonderworker of Moscow Saint Basil the Blessed, Wonderworker of Moscow, was born in December 1468 on the portico of the Elokhov church in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos outside Moscow. His parents were commoners and sent their son to be trained…