John of Moscow, the Fool for Christ Blessed John, Fool-for-Christ, Wonderworker of Moscow, was born on the outskirts of Vologda. In his youth he toiled at a saltworks, where he was a water-carrier. The saint combined strict fasting and prayer with his heavy work. Later he moved on to Rostov, where he began his exploit…

St. John Maximovitch Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco Our Father among the Saints John (Maximovitch), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco (1896-1966), was a diocesan bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) who served widely from China to France to the United States. Saint John departed this life on June 19 (O.S.)…

Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, the Romans The Holy Martyrs, Wonderworkers and Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas and Damian were born at Rome, brothers by birth, and physicians by profession. They suffered at Rome in the reign of the emperor Carinus (283-284). Brought up by their parents in the rules of piety, they led strict…

Synaxis of the Twelve Holy, Glorious and Illustrious Apostles The Synaxis of the Glorious and All-Praiseworthy Twelve Apostles of Christ appears to be an ancient Feast. The Church honors each of the Twelve Apostles on separate dates during the year, and has established a general commemoration for all of them on the day after the…

The Holy, Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles Peter and Paul Today the Holy Church piously remembers the sufferings of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Apostles Peter and Paul.  Saint Peter, the fervent follower of Jesus Christ, for the profound confession of His Divinity: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God,”…

Translation of the Relics of the Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John The Transfer of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs, Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers, Cyrus and John from the city of Konopa, near Alexandria (where they suffered in the year 311) to the nearby village of Manuphin, took place in the year 412. This Egyptian village…

St. Joanna the Myrrh-Bearer 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 of it…

Venerable Father David of Thessalonica Saint David of Thessalonica pursued asceticism at the monastery of the holy Martyrs Theodore and Mercurius. Inspired by the example of the holy stylites, he lived in an almond tree in constant prayer, keeping strict fast, and enduring heat and cold. He remained there for three years until an angel…

Holy Prince and Princess, Peter and Fevronia, Wonderworkers Holy Prince Peter (David in monasticism) and Holy Princess Febronia (Euphrosyne – Euphrosynē – in monasticism), Wonderworkers of Murom. Prince Peter was the second son of the Murom prince Yuri Vladimirovich. He entered upon the throne of Murom in the year 1203. Several years before this Saint…

Nativity of the Venerable and Glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist The Nativity of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John: The Gospel (Luke. 1: 5) relates that the righteous parents of Saint John the Baptist, the Priest Zachariah and Elizabeth (September 5), lived in the ancient city of Hebron. They reached…