We celebrate our venerable and God-bearing Father Sabbas the Sanctified on December 5th. So right before the Feast of St. Nicholas! Father Sabbas the Sanctified St. Sabbas is also known as Sabas, and is pronounced [Sava]. He was the son of an army officer, and was left in the care of his aunt and uncle …
We celebrate Saint John Chrysostom (c.347 – 407) on November 13th. (In the west it is in September) It is his Divine Liturgy we celebrate most days of the year. So no wonder St. John Chrysostom is called the Golden-Mouthed! St. John Chrysostom is one of our most popular saints in the East. He is …
Heavenly powers, bodiless powers, heavenly hosts or angels. There are many names for the great and holy beings we celebrate on November 8th. The Feast of the Synaxis of Michael the Archangel and Other Heavenly Powers. Sometimes this feast is also called Michaelmas. This feast day was established before the 1st Ecumenical Council, at the …
Demetrius, the Great-Martyr, is celebrated in the Byzantine Churches on October 26th. Although, I didn’t know much about this saint – actually, only that he existed. So I thought that I’d learn and share his story, as well as ways to celebrate this great martyr’s feast day! The Holy and Glorious Great-Martyr Demetrius, from Whose …
Apostle James Son of Alpheus We celebrate James, the apostle and Son of Alpheus, on October 9th. It is difficult to say what we know about this James. Particularly because there are many other people named James (or as it should be translated, Jacob) in the New Testament. Some people theorize that James Son of …
The Dormition of Saint Anna, Mother of the Most Holy God-bearer We celebrate the Dormition of Anna, the mother of the Theotokos, on July 25th. As the mother of the Theotokos, St. Anna (together with Joachim) held an important role in preparing Mary for her role in Salvation history. They taught their daughter to pray, …
The Repose of Blessed Olga, Princess of Kiev, Who Took on The Christian Name Helen at her Holy Baptism July 11th is the feast of Blessed Olga, Princess of Kiev. Her Christian name is Helen, and she is also called Elena or Helga. And we also call her Equal to the Apostles. Olga attempted to …
Hyacinth of Caesarea Hyacinth was born in Caesarea in Cappadocia, between 88 and 96 A.D. He was raised Christian. And at some point he became a member of the Emperor’s household. The Emperor at this time, Trajan, persecuted Christians. Emperor Trajan led Rome’s military effectively, and greatly expanded the Roman Empire. History even calls Trajan …
The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul We have officially arrived at one of the key feasts in the post Pentecost Liturgical year for Eastern Christians. June 29th is the Feast of the All-holy and Praiseworthy Apostles Peter and Paul, our fathers among the saints. Since the Monday after the Eastern feast of All Saints, …
The Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas On June 11th we commemorate the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas. So to help us celebrate, let’s go through what we know about these two saints, and their prayers and tropars. Bartholomew Bartholomew is one of the 12 Apostles. There is a strong possibility that he is the same …