Holy and Glorious Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basiliscus The Holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basiliscus suffered in the city of Pontine Amasea (Asia Minor) in about the year 308.  The brothers Eutropius and Cleonicus, and Basiliscus the nephew of the Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit (February 17), were comrades. After the martyric death of Saint…

Venerable Father Nicolas Planas One of the most inspiring righteous figures to come to our attention in recent years is Papa-Nicholas Planas. The revelation of this saintly Greek Orthodox priest to English language readers[1] is truly providential, for his life contains virtually all the elements of the spiritual conflicts that beset 20th century Orthodoxy, and in…

Holy Martyr Eudocia the Samaritan Holy Monastic Martyr Eudokia was a Samaritan, a native of the city of Heliopolis in Phoenicia (modern Baalbek), who lived during the reign of Trajan (98-117). Her pagan impiety took her off the good path, and for a long time she led a sinful life. Her soul was deadened and…

Venerable Marina and Cyra Saints Marina (Marana) and Kyra (Cyra), sisters by birth, lived during the fourth century in the city of Veria (or Berea) in Syria. Their parents were illustrious and rich, but the sisters left home and departed the city when they had reached maturity.  Having cleared off a small plot of land,…

St. Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (+1915)  Proclamation on the Glorification of Our Holy Father Bishop RAPHAEL (30-Apr-2000)  Our holy Father Raphael was born in Syria in 1860 to pious Orthodox parents, Michael Hawaweeny and his second wife Mariam, the daughter of a priest of Damascus. The exact date of Raphael’s…

Holy Great Martyr Photine the Samaritan Woman The New Testament describes the familiar account of the “woman at the well” (John 4:5-42), who was a Samaritan. Up to that point she had led a sinful life, one which resulted in a rebuke from Jesus Christ. However, she responded to Christ’s stern admonition with genuine repentance,…

St. Tarasius, Archbishop of Constantinople Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople was of illustrious lineage. He was born and raised in Constantinople, where he received a fine education. He was rapidly promoted at the court of the emperor Constantine VI Porphyrogenitos (780-797) and Constantine’s mother, the holy Empress Irene (August 7), and the saint attained the…

Finding of the Head of the Glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist After the Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (August 29), his body was buried by disciples in the Samarian city of Sebaste, and his venerable head was hidden by Herodias in an unclean place. Saint Joanna (June 27), the…

Blessed Hieromartyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was “fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10), was born in the first century, and lived in Smyrna in Asia Minor. He was orphaned at an early age, but at the direction of an angel, he was raised by the pious widow Kallista.…

Holy Apostles and Martyrs whose relics were uncovered in the district of Eugenius at Constantinople During the persecutions against Christians the relics of these Holy Martyrs were usually buried by the faithful in hidden places. Thus, at Constantinople, near the Eugenios Gate and tower, the incorrupt relics of several Martyrs were found. Their names are…