Saintly Married Women In recent times, there was a monk who asked his Spiritual Elder (or Geronda) to reveal to him two examples of living Saints. He directed him to a poor house were two women sat. One was kneading bread and the other was knitting. ‘Is there anyone else living here?’ the monk asked, hoping to see someone more remarkable and saintly. They told him that their husbands were away, one in the fields, and the other at sea. Then, the monk asked them what good they had done in their lives. They told him that they had married [...]

St John of Novgorod Commemorated on September 7th St John was born in Novgorod, Russia in the 12th century to pious parents. When his parents died, John and his brother Gabriel used their inheritance to establish a monastery dedicated to Panagia, who miraculously provided for them when their funds ran out during construction. This began a life-long closeness to the Theotokos, who granted many miracles to St John and the people of Novgorod. In 1165, John was elevated to Archbishop of the city. He showed a keen awareness for the concerns of his flock and wrote letters to other bishops [...]

St Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamina Commemorated on May 12th St Epiphanius was born around AD 315 in Palestine, to Jewish parents. He received a good education, which developed his zeal for studying the Holy Scriptures. One day he passed by a Christian monk who had taken off his garment to give to a poor man. A brilliant white light from heaven covered the monk, at which Epiphanius fell to his knees begging the monk to baptise him. Epiphanius became a Christian, left the world behind him and became a disciple of the holy ascetic St Hilarion.  He began a life [...]

Saint Polycarp Commemorated on February 23rd Born in Ephesus around 70 AD, St Polycarp was raised by a devout Christian noblewoman, Callista, who received Polycarp in her care when his parents were martyred.  Polycarp was, from a young age, generous in spirit and thirsty to serve those around him in Christ’s name. He became the disciple of St John the Theologian alongside Saints Bucolos and Ignatius. Together they preached the Word until Bucolos was appointed bishop of Smyrna, with Polycarp as his assistant and later, his successor. Polycarp performed many miracles during this time: a huge fire was extinguished and [...]

Commemorated on January 26th On the 26th of January, we remember the Translation of the Relics of our Holy Father Theodore the “Studite” (a name derived from the Monastery of Studium) and his brother, Joseph of Thessalonica. St. Theodore was born in AD 759 to an aristocratic family in Constantinople. Theodore’s maternal uncle, Plato, was a monk who also became a Saint. Plato was an inspiration for Theodore and all his family. The family gave up their comfortable life in the world and dedicated themselves to Christ. Theodore became a monk at the Symbola monastery in Bithynia, and soon became [...]