Tag: saints and blesseds

The Church liturgically remembers today the holy hieromartyr, Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. According to the witness of St Irenaeus, Polycarp was a companion of St John the Theologian. After John’s exile to Patmos, Polycarp was ordained to the clergy of Smyrna, now the town of Izmir in Turkey. While still a young man, he became …

The holy apostle, Philip, one of the first seven deacons. This Philip came from Caesarea in Palestine. We have a portrait of him from the Acts of the Apostles. While he was chosen as one of the first seven deacons, he quickly expanded his ministry and began preaching in Samaria. His conversion of the magician …

Today, the Church liturgically recalls a significant monastic father, Simeon, who lived on a pillar. You will recall there is an icon of Saint Simeon on the wall in the nave of the parish on the left side (it’s not the image for this post, however). “Simeon was born at the end of the fourth …

Today, the Church recalls the memory of the holy and glorious virgin martyr, Irene. Irene was the daughter of the governor of a Persian city. She was baptized by Paul’s companion, the apostle Timothy, and endured many long years of suffering for her faith, first by her father, and, after his conversion, at the hand …

The Church liturgically recalls the memory of St Barbara a 3rd century martyr-saint, born in Nicomedia in what is now modern day Turkey. The Troparion for the Liturgy reads, Today, let us honor the great and holy Barbara, murdered by her own father for her loyalty to Christ. In spite of all, by the power …