St Anthousa (Commemorated on the 13th of November)   On November 13, the Orthodox Church commemorates one of its most preeminent theologians and saints, John Chrysostom. There is no appropriate superlative to describe St John’s extraordinary contribution to the Christian faith. On that same day, we also commemorate St Anthousa, the mother of John Chrysostom. St Anthousa was born in the city of Antioch in approximately 347 AD. She was an intelligent woman who married Secundus, an officer in the army. Together the couple bore a son, whom they named John. At the age of twenty, Anthousa became a widow [...]

St Babylas of Antioch (Commemorated on September 4)   Saint Babylas was the twelfth Bishop of Antioch (237-253 AD). He served Antioch’s Christian citizens well during the years of Christian persecution, and especially cared for the vulnerable widows and orphans. Saint John Chrysostom was from Antioch, and in his homily on the Acts of the Martyrs said that Saint Babylas “saved this holy ship [the Church] in storm and choppy sea and waves.” He reported on the time that Saint Babylas stood outside of the church and refused to let the visiting pagan emperor enter the church to witness the [...]

St Kyriake the Great Martyr (Commemorated on the 7th of July) St Kyriake was born in Nicomedia, the only daughter of Dorotheos and Eusebia. Her pious parents were Christian and rich, but childless. Following their prayers a daughter was bestowed to them, who was named after the day she was born, being a Sunday. Kyriake was beautiful both in body and soul, and was raised with Christian principles. Many asked for her hand in marriage, but she did not want anyone, saying that she was engaged to Christ, and she wanted to die a virgin. A judge wanted Kyriake for [...]

St Gerasimos the Jordanite (Commemorated on March 4) St Gerasimos, the Hermit of the Jordan, was born in the region of Lycia in Asia Minor towards the end of the fourth century. Despite still being a child, he entered a monastery where he gave himself to prayer and fasting. It was from this monastery that he travelled to visit the Holy Land, where he came to make his home in the desert near the Dead Sea. Due to his great virtue he started receiving disciples, and as their number grew he founded a monastery on the banks of the Jordan [...]

St Herman of Alaska Wonderworker of America (Commemorated on 13 December) Saint Herman was born in 1756 in Serpukhov, Russia and had a great zeal for Christ from his youth. At the age of sixteen he had a miraculous encounter when visiting the Holy Trinity-Sergius Hermitage near St Petersburg. He had noticed a sore on his neck that began to grow large, making it difficult for him to swallow and disfiguring his face. He remained inside his cell and prayed unceasingly before the icon of the Theotokos until he fell asleep. In the morning the sore had disappeared. After five [...]