Saint Athanasius of Brest, a courageous defender of the faith

He stood up with righteousness in defence of his oppressed brethren, in the face of multiple hardships, isolation and dangers to his life.

Saint Basil the Blessed, a miracle worker and a fool-for-Christ

Saint Basil the Blessed is remembered as a Moscow miracle worker. He even threw rocks at miracle-working icons and was daring enough to denounce the terrifying Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible for shedding innocent blood.

Saint Panteleimon and His Miracle of Meeting Christ

At baptism, he took the name Panteleimon, which means "all-merciful". An unmercenary, he was fulfilling Christ’s commandment of love. He worked in His name and was empowered.

Hieromartyr Philip - Defenfing the Faith, Shedding His Blood

He is remembered as one of the few heads of the Russian Church who openly opposed the Tsar for his treatment of dissent and the lawlessness of the Oprichnina rule.

Saint Igor, the Martyr who Blotted out the Sin of Internecine Strife

He died without resistance at the hands of a ferocious crowd, erasing the sin of arrogance, conceit, and ill will that had consumed the Kievan Rus.

Holy Martyr Dimitrius of Uglich, a patron saint of all children

As a child, he became a martyr at the hands of ambitious noblemen vying for the Russian throne. But he lives in eternity, working miracles and interceding for our children

Saint Agapetus, an Unmercenary Doctor of the Body and Soul

We celebrate his feast on 14 June, by magnifying him as a healer of both the body and soul, who guides the evil-hearted to righteousness.

Saint John of Kronstadt, Preaching Life in Christ

Saint John of Kronstadt (1829 – 1908) is a saint of the Russian church who reaffirmed true faith at a time when the educated classes and large sections of the Russian society with them were distancing themselves from the church and the Orthodox…

Saint Philosophus Ornatsky: sharing in the ways of the Apostles

The beginning of his service to the church coincided with the tragic death of Tsar Alexander II at the hands of revolutionary assassins. To him, it was a symptom of a destructive social disorder: the decline of the faith, especially among the…

Saint John the Russian: projecting God’s love on his enemies

He was only 20 when he was drafted into the Russian army and went to war with Turkey during the reign of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great. He was taken prisoner in a battle with the Turks.

Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk: Planting the Seeds of Enlightenment

In the first week of June, we commemorate Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk, an Orthodox saint and enlightener. She lived more than eight centuries ago, but her life can enrich our argument with many useful insights into the value of education.

Saint Pachomius, a Father of Cenobitic Monasticism

He stood at the origin of cenobitic monasticism, the receiver of the monastic rule from an angel, and set an example in resisting temptations and enemy attacks.

Hermit Nikita of Novgorod, the Saint Who Fell and Started Over

As we commemorate this saint on his feast day, we magnify him for his exceptional humility and obedience with which he overcame the enemy’s temptations and defeated his plans.

Alexander of Rome, Shatterer of False Gods, Enlightener of the Souls

The church hymns in his honour extol him for his spiritual strength, which rendered devils helpless, and for his brilliant faith, which illuminated the lives of those around him.

Saint John of Korma, a Village Priest and Miracle-Worker

The Venerable John of Korma, a Belarusian saint, built his entire life on the biblical teaching, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

St. Macarius of Kanev, a Beacon of Unwavering Faith

The Church glorified him as a devoted disciple of our Saviour, a well-known ascetic, and a holy martyr who inspired countless Christians and kept them from apostatising.

Fathers of the Slavic Language and literacyL

The Church Slavonic language - in which we worship today - is the fruit of their good works. They laid the groundwork for the Slavic peoples' cultural and spiritual life.

Saint Thais of Egypt, a Repentant Sinner

Saint Thais' change of heart occurred on the final day of her life, teaching us how significant repentance is and how precious it is in the eyes of the Lord.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, a Heart on Fire

In today's hymns, he is lauded as an example of faith and a teacher of humility. What do these qualities mean for us today, and what can we learn from Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker?

The Apostle of Divine Love, Saint John the Theologian

Underneath all his virtues was his undying love for God. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God," he exhorts every Christian, and his entire life reflects this message.