January 1

• The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Following the Law of Moses, Jesus was circumcised eight days after His birth, signifying the fulfillment of the Mosaic Covenant and the proclamation of salvation to the world.
• Our Father among the Saints Basil the Great (379): Renowned as the “bee of the Church of Christ,” St. Basil brought divine wisdom to the faithful and courageously defended Orthodoxy against heresy. His family, including parents St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia, and siblings St. Macrina, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Peter, contributed significantly to the Church’s spiritual wealth.
• St. Gregory, Bishop of Nazianzus (374): A convert to Christianity, he served as Bishop of Nazianzus for forty-five years, steadfastly defending his flock against Arianism and persecution. He ordained his son, St. Gregory the Theologian, to assist him in his later years.
• St. Emilia (375): Mother of Sts. Macrina, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste, and Theosevia, she played a vital role in nurturing her children’s faith and spiritual growth.

January 2

• Beginning of the Forefeast of Theophany: The Church begins the solemn preparation for the Feast of Theophany, celebrating the Baptism of Christ.
• St. Seraphim of Sarov (1833): Born in Kursk, St. Seraphim devoted his life to asceticism and prayer, experiencing numerous visions and miracles. His profound humility and love for God made him a spiritual guide for many, and his life became a continuous celebration of the Paschal joy.
• St. Sylvester, Pope of Rome (335): Elevated to the Papacy amidst persecution, St. Sylvester demonstrated the power of Christ over death by restoring life to a bull after a challenge from a Jewish scribe and occultist.
• Venerable Juliana of Lazarevskoye (1604): A model of Christian virtue, St. Juliana lived a life of selflessness, devoting herself to prayer, fasting, and works of mercy. Her generosity during times of famine and her unwavering faith continue to inspire believers.
• Holy New Martyr George the Georgian (1770): Born a Muslim slave in Georgia, St. George embraced Christianity later in life and bravely confessed his faith despite torture and persecution, ultimately giving his life for Christ.

Throughout January, these saints remind believers of the enduring power of faith, humility, and love in the face of adversity.

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On November 1st, we commemorate the Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Asia, noble physicians who practiced medicine without charge, relying solely on the Name of Christ for healing. We also remember Holy New Martyr Helen of Sinope, a courageous maiden who faced persecution and martyrdom rather than renounce her faith.

November 2nd is dedicated to the memory of Holy Martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidophorus, and Anempodistus of Persia, who fearlessly confessed their faith and endured martyrdom for their beliefs.

On November 3rd, we honor Holy Martyrs Acepsimas the bishop, Joseph the priest, and Aithalas the deacon, who boldly preached Christ even in the face of persecution. We also remember Holy Virgin Martyr Winefride of Treffynnon, whose martyrdom led to the miraculous healing spring at Holywell.

November 4th is the feast day of Our Holy Father Joannicius the Great, a humble hermit known for his spiritual wisdom and miracles of healing. We also commemorate Holy Martyrs Galaction and Episteme, a married couple who chose martyrdom rather than renounce their faith.

On November 5th, we honor the Holy Apostles Patrobas, Hermas, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, faithful disciples of Christ who spread the Gospel throughout the world. We also remember Our Holy Father Gregory the Confessor, Patriarch of Alexandria, who bravely defended Orthodoxy against persecution.

Through the commemoration of these saints, Orthodox Christians are reminded of the enduring power of faith, love, and sacrifice in the life of the Church.

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On June 1st, we remember Martyr Justin the Philosopher, a seeker of truth who embraced Christianity after encountering the teachings of the Prophets and Apostles. Despite facing persecution, Justin dedicated himself to spreading the Gospel and defending the Christian faith. We also honor our Holy Father Agapitus of the Kiev Caves, known for his healing abilities and humble devotion to God.

June 2nd is dedicated to St Nikephoros the Confessor, who fearlessly defended the veneration of holy icons despite facing persecution. We also commemorate Holy New Martyr Constantine, who embraced Christianity and endured torture and martyrdom at the hands of the Turks.

On June 3rd, we remember Holy Martyr Lucillian and his companions, who bravely confessed their faith and were martyred for their beliefs. We also honor Hieromartyr Lucian, a disciple of the Apostle Peter, who spread the Gospel in Gaul and ultimately faced martyrdom.

June 4th is the feast day of St Metrophanes, Archbishop of Constantinople, and the Holy Myrrh-bearers Mary and Martha, devoted followers of Christ. We also commemorate Blessed Igor-George and Blessed Constantine, who faced persecution and strife in their efforts to serve the Church.

June 5th is dedicated to Hieromartyr Dorotheus, Bishop of Tyre, who endured persecution and martyrdom for his faith. We also remember Our Holy Father Theodore the Hermit and Wonderworker, known for his ascetic life and miraculous deeds.

Finally, on June 6th, we honor St Hilarion the New, who defended icons and endured exile for his beliefs. We also commemorate Our Holy Mothers the Martyrs Archelaïs, Thekla, and Susanna, who fearlessly confessed their faith and faced martyrdom, as well as St Bessarion the Wonderworker of Egypt, whose life of piety and miracles continues to inspire believers.

Through the commemoration of these saints, Orthodox Christians are reminded of the enduring power of faith, courage, and devotion to God even in the face of persecution and adversity.

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February 2: The Meeting of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ

Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Mary, his ever-virgin mother, and Joseph, his earthly father, brought him to the Temple in Jerusalem for his dedication to God. This act fulfilled the Law of Moses, demonstrating the family’s obedience to divine precepts. At the Temple, they encountered Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, and the righteous Symeon, who had long awaited the arrival of the Messiah. Despite this joyous occasion, some Pharisees, threatened by the recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah, conspired against him, leading to Joseph’s dream-guided escape with his family to Egypt. The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, established in the fourth century, marks this significant event, also known as Candlemas Day in the Western tradition.

February 3: Holy and Righteous Symeon the God-receiver and the Prophetess Anna

Symeon, a devout elder, and Anna, a prophetess, exemplify a life of unwavering faith and dedication. Symeon, believed to be one of the Seventy translators of the Hebrew Bible into Greek, received a divine revelation that he would not die before seeing the promised Messiah. When he beheld Jesus at the Temple, he proclaimed his readiness to depart in peace, acknowledging the fulfillment of God’s promise. Anna, similarly devoted, spent her life in prayerful anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival. These venerable figures symbolize the culmination of Old Testament hope and the dawn of the New Covenant.

February 4: St Isidore of Pelusium, Monk, and Venerable Cyril of New Lake

St Isidore, renowned for his wisdom and holiness, left a legacy of thousands of epistles that continue to inspire believers. A disciple of St John Chrysostom, he courageously defended orthodoxy against opposition, embodying humility and steadfastness in the face of persecution. Venerable Cyril, a humble monk who later founded a monastery, led a life of asceticism and prayer, drawing others to the path of spiritual renewal. His miraculous deeds and unwavering faith left an indelible mark on those around him, reflecting God’s grace and providence.

February 5: Holy Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily and Our Holy Father Polyeuctus, Patriarch of Constantinople

St Agatha, revered for her steadfastness in faith amidst persecution, endured torture and imprisonment for her devotion to Christ. Her miraculous deliverance from suffering and subsequent veneration as a protector of her homeland testify to the power of divine intervention. Our Holy Father Polyeuctus, distinguished as a zealous preacher and defender of the Orthodox faith, left a lasting legacy of spiritual guidance and prophetic insight. His baptism of the Russian princess Olga heralded the spread of Christianity in the Russian lands, fulfilling his divine calling.

As February unfolds, let us reflect on the lives of these saints and the sacred events they commemorate, drawing inspiration from their unwavering faith and dedication to God. In their examples, we find encouragement to persevere in our own spiritual journey, trusting in the providence of the One who guides our steps and sustains us in times of trial.

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Childhood Years Evangelos attended school in his village for only two years due to the frequent illness of his teacher. Consequently, he left school to work on the family farm and later in a coal mine and a grocer’s store to support his family from the age of eight. His father had instilled in him the Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God and other aspects of their faith. Evangelos was noted for his maturity and diligence from a young age.

Monastic Calling Inspired by the life of St. John the Hut-dweller, Evangelos aspired to become a monk and eventually left for Mt. Athos at the age of fourteen or fifteen. He met his future spiritual father, Hieromonk Panteleimon, on the ferry to Mt. Athos, who took him under his wing, claiming Evangelos was his nephew to facilitate his entry into the monastic community.

Monastic Life Under the guidance of Fr. Panteleimon and his brother Fr. Ioannikios at Kavsokalyvia, Evangelos embraced monastic life with zeal, practicing strict asceticism, including walking barefoot in harsh conditions and sleeping on the floor with minimal cover. His deep commitment to prayer and obedience to his elders characterized his spiritual journey. Despite minimal formal education, he learned extensively about the faith through the Holy Scriptures, demonstrating extraordinary dedication and enthusiasm.

Divine Grace and Spiritual Gifts Elder Porphyrios received divine grace early in his monastic life, marked by profound spiritual experiences and supernatural gifts. He developed a heightened sensitivity to his surroundings and a profound ability to perceive and understand spiritual and physical realities. His gifts included discernment, healing, and an acute sense of smell and hearing that extended beyond normal human capabilities.

Return to the World Due to severe illness, Elder Porphyrios was forced to leave Mt. Athos and return to the world. At nineteen, he resided at the Monastery Lefkon of St. Charalambos near his birthplace, where he continued his monastic practices while recuperating. Despite his illness, he was ordained as a deacon and then a priest by Archbishop Porphyrios III of Sinai in 1927, taking the name Porphyrios.

Spiritual Father and Confessor As a spiritual father, Elder Porphyrios gained a reputation for his deep understanding and guidance. He served as a confessor in Evia until 1940, often hearing confessions for hours on end, using his gift of discernment to guide the faithful. His role as a spiritual father extended to the Athens Polyclinic, where he served as a chaplain from 1940 for over three decades, providing comfort and spiritual guidance to the sick and suffering.

Challenges and Health Issues Elder Porphyrios faced numerous health challenges throughout his life, including severe pleurisy, kidney problems, a fractured leg, hernia, and a heart attack. Despite these ailments, he continued his ministry with unwavering dedication, often working tirelessly despite his suffering.

Foundation of a Convent Elder Porphyrios longed to establish a convent for devout women who were his spiritual daughters. After many efforts and overcoming numerous obstacles, he founded the “Holy Convent of the Transfiguration of the Savior” in Milesi, Attica. He dedicated himself to the construction and development of the convent, living under difficult conditions and tirelessly overseeing the work.

Final Years and Legacy In his later years, Elder Porphyrios continued his ministry despite declining health and eventual blindness. He focused more on prayer, offering silent intercessions for those who sought his help. Elder Porphyrios passed away in 1991, leaving behind a legacy of deep spirituality, compassion, and unwavering faith. His life and teachings continue to inspire and guide the faithful.

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