The Beheading of St John the Baptist Commemorated on August 29th St John was the forerunner of Christ, preparing the world for the Saviour. He is sometimes referred to as the Child of the Desert and the one who fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God (40: 4). St John was born to Panagia’s cousin, Elizabeth, and Zachariah six months before Christ. The relationship between St John and Christ began from the womb, when Panagia visited Elizabeth and the unborn John leapt in his mother’s [...]

Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia Commemorated on December 2nd Elder Porphyrios was born in 1906 in Euboea to pious parents. He worked as a shepherd boy when he was eight years old and came across a booklet about Saint John the Hut-Dweller which he read with great difficulty as he was uneducated. Deeply touched by the life of the saint, at twelve years of age, he secretly left for the Holy Mount Athos. Here, he met his spiritual father who guided him until his own repose. After some time, he had to return to Euboea because of illness. Here, at 18 [...]

On 30 June each year, the Church honours the Synaxis (a celebratory gathering) of the Twelve Holy Apostles. The commemoration of a Synaxis is commonly observed on the day following a major feast day. It recognises the participation of a Saint or a group of Saints in the major feast preceding the Synaxis. For example, the Church holds a Synaxis in honour of St John the Baptist on the day after the Theophany. The feast of the Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles follows the feast of the pre-eminent apostles Peter and Paul (29 June). Each of the Twelve is [...]

Saint Macrina the Younger Celebrated on July 19th Saint Macrina the Younger was the granddaughter of Saint Macrina the Elder, and sister of St Basil the Great. Born in 327, she was the eldest of ten children. Macrina grew into a very beautiful woman, with many men asking for her hand in marriage. When she came of age, she was betrothed to a good man. However God took him before they were married, and Macrina then dedicated the rest of her life to Christ as a virgin. Macrina showed her love for Christ firstly through her unyielding service to her [...]

St Macrina the Elder Celebrated on May 30th (and January 14th) St Macrina the Elder was the family root of a distinguished lineage of Saints that included St Macrina the Younger, St Basil the Great and St Gregory of Nyssa. She was born in Neocaesarea in Pontus, Asia Minor, to pagan parents sometime before 270 AD. She married and became Christian through the teachings of St Gregory the Wonderworker. Because of their faith, Macrina and her husband were persecuted under Emperor Maximian around 305-306 AD, and escaped into the Pontian mountains. They lived in-hiding there for seven years, protected and [...]