A spiritual mission was organized in 1793 with volunteers from the monks of the Valaam Monastery. They were sent to preach the Word of God to the native inhabitants of northwestern America, who had come under the sovereignty of Russia only ten years before. Saint Herman was one of the members of…

The Holy Martyrs Eustratios (Eustrátios), Auxentios (Auxéntios), Eugene, Mardarios (Mardários), and Orestes (the Five Companions) suffered for Christ at Sebaste in Armenia during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Among the first Christians imprisoned and undergoing torture at that…

Saint Lucy was born in Syracuse, Sicily during the reign of Diocletian. She distributed her wealth to the poor, and made a vow of virginity. Since she refused to marry him, a rejected suitor denounced her to the prefect Paschasius as a Christian, and she was arrested. She was sentenced to be…

The Venerable Arcadius was born at the beginning of the XI century in the city of Vyazma, and was a member of the Syreishchikov family of merchants, who were distinguished for their fervent piety. From a young age, and loving the Lord with all his heart and soul, he resolved to devote his entire…

Saint Mardarios (Mardários) the Recluse of the Kiev Caves, lived as an ascetic in the Far Caves of Saint Theodosios during the XIII century, enclosing himself in his cell. There he strove for perfection through prayer, fasting, and obedience. In his Troparion and Kontakion he is described as…

Saint Arsenios lived in Constantinople during the VIII and IX centuries1 and was the son of wealthy, illustrious, and devout parents. He was made Patrician and General of the Kibyrraiote (Κιβυρραιωτῶν)2Military Theme. Once, while traveling by sea with his soldiers, there was a storm…

The Holy Patriarch Gabriel was a member of the noble Raich family. In 1655, with the permission of the Turks, he travelled to Vlahὶa and Russia to raise money for the needs of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He also attended a Council in Russia together with the Patriarch of Antioch. This Council…