If you are interested in Eastern Orthodoxy, you will want to learn about the saints that represent the region. Many of these saints have made an impact on the lives of many and can serve as great role models. This article will highlight several of these saints, including Gemma Galgani, Joannicius, Theodore, Matrona, and Nectarius.
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Lucy
The Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes Saint Lucy as a saint. She is also considered to be one of the eight female saints mentioned by name in the Roman Catholic Mass.
Saint Lucy was born in Syracuse, Sicily in 283 AD. Her father was of Roman descent and her mother of Greek stock. During her childhood, Lucy dedicated herself to the church. Despite being young, she vowed to live a celibate life. This was in contrast to the custom in pagan Rome, where women were expected to be married.
St. Gemma Galgani
Saint Gemma Galgani was an Italian mystic. She was the subject of an icon. Hers is a handcrafted masterpiece that was made with a lithography technique. The lithography process involves a double varnish to protect the icon.
A saint is a person of extraordinary piety. They are venerated by the Catholic, Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox Churches. In fact, the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox communions may have more than the Roman Catholics.
St. Arsenios
Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia is a wonderworker. He lived in a remote Christian village in Cappadocia. People revered him as a Saint, and he was known for his healing abilities.
He was born in Ioannina, Epirus. His mother was called Varvara. During his early childhood, he decided to become a monk. Then he went to a school where he learned the writings of the Fathers. When he was ordained to the holy priesthood, he began to perform miracles.
St. Nectarius
Nectarios of Aegina is one of the Eastern Orthodox saints. He was born in Selymbria, Thrace in 1846. His tomb is on Aegina Island. The Saint was a great teacher who is revered by Orthodox Christians throughout the world. During his life, he worked miracles.
At the time of his death, he was a monk in the Holy Trinity Convent on Aegina. His body was buried in a marble tomb. This tomb was built by the nuns in the convent.
St. Joannicius
Saint Joannicius the Great is considered one of the greatest monks of the Christian East. He is also known as the hermit of Mount Olympus. During his lifetime, he defended the veneration of icons of Christ, even during the reign of Emperor Theophilos.
In the 840s, Joannicius became a hero. He was known for his defense of icons, his love for God, and his ascetic deeds.
St. Theodore
Saint Theodore, a Georgian Orthodox saint, was born out of wedlock in Asia Minor and died as a martyr in the year 613. He is one of many Eastern Orthodox saints who were martyred by the Ottomans.
Saint Theodore was imprisoned for his faith. His life was a testament to the power of God. In fact, he was a great worker of miracles.
St. Matrona
Blessed Matrona of Moscow is a Russian Orthodox saint. She is famous for her ministry, which helped many people become more spiritual. The mission of the saint is still alive today, even after her death.
Blessed Matrona was born blind. She prayed to God for healing. Some of the people she helped became healed. As a result, the name of the saint appeared on the list of intercessors at St. Sergius-Holy Trinity Lavra.
St. Hermas
Among the Eastern Orthodox saints, St Hermas is believed to have written The Shepherd, an early New Testament manuscript. It is included in the early versions of the Bible, and it is regarded as a work of great importance.
St Hermas, whose feast is August 26, was one of the first bishops of Philippi. He was also known for his piety and his devotion to God.
St. Patrobolus
Patrobolus, a disciple of St Peter, lived on the Holy Mountain in the early fourth century. He became a hermit and was known for his holiness of life. However, his sanctity was not fully acknowledged by others.
St Maximos was from a noble family in Constantinople. His parents encouraged his religious training and he studied at Mt Sinai. The Monothelite heresy, however, soon spread throughout the imperial court. When Constans, the Emperor, heard of this, he ordered St Maximos to accept the Monothelite belief. Upon this, he was forced to leave the court.
St. John
St John the Baptist is one of the most revered and honored saints of the Orthodox Church. A cousin of the Virgin Mary and the forerunner of Christ, he served as a prophet, a wonderworker and an ascetic. He baptized the Lord and also worked earnestly in exorcising demons.
Saint John the Baptist is one of the five major feast days in the Church. His birth was foretold by an angel. And he proclaimed the coming of the Savior.
