The Greek Orthodox saints days are a time for honoring the life and legacy of those who have been a part of the church. It is a day when the faithful can take a moment to reflect on the many lives that have been touched and changed by the great men and women who have served our church.
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Dometius
A number of Greek Orthodox saints are commemorated today. These include: Euphrosynus, Dorymedon, Meletius, Cyprian, Anastasius the elder, Sapricius and Cyprian. During the early days of the Church, these Saints were all persecuted.
Saint Euphrosynus was a monk who lived in the Pskov district. He was known for his humility and asceticism. As a monk, he preached the Gospel to his countrymen. Many pagans were converted to Christianity.
In the year 281 or 288, Sozon became a Christian. After some accounts, he died in that same year. By others, he died in 288, while some claim that he was a martyr in the year 291. His relics were taken to the monastery of Mopsuestia in Cilicia.
St Maximos
St Maximos is the Greek Orthodox saint and a noted scholar and theologian of the 16th century. His life and teachings are honored by both the Eastern and Catholic Churches. He wrote a wide variety of works, including a commentary on the Lord’s Prayer, the Exposition of the Dispute with Pyrrhus, and the Mystagogia. These dogmatic works explain the Orthodox teachings on the Persons of the Holy Trinity, “theosis,” and human nature.
Saint Maximus reposed on January 21, 1556. His remains were placed in the northwest wall of the Holy Spirit church at Trinity-Sergiev Lavra. The tomb is surrounded by three candles, which symbolize his continued presence and virtue. Many healings occurred at the tomb.
St Basil the Great
St Basil the Great is a Christian saint from Caesarea, Cappadocia. His feast day is celebrated on January 1 each year. The celebration is associated with gift-giving, and people visit their friends and relatives.
Basil was born in 330 AD, in the wealthy and noble family of Caesarea. He grew up in a household that was dedicated to holiness and zeal for the faith. One of his ancestors, Maximinus, was a Christian martyr.
After being home schooled by his father, Basil continued his studies in Athens. In 360, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Dianus. He was soon transferred to the school in Constantinople. As a teacher, he had the chance to study the works of some of the city’s most renowned orators.
Solomonia
Today is St Solomonia’s Day, the mother of seven Maccabees. Aside from being the first female bishop of Nazianzus, her name was also one of the namesakes of the Maccabees, a group of Jewish nobles who led a revolt against the Syrian tyrant, Antiochus IV Epiphanes. They were executed in style.
The aforementioned miracle is only the tip of the iceberg; her life as a nun was nothing short of a feat of esoteric grace. She had a divinely appointed guardian angel, but that is another story. After her death, her seven children took the Christian faith as their own. These children also became her ordained disciples, making their contributions to the modern Orthodox Church a rich and varied topic.
St Titus
St Titus is a Greek Saint who is also known as the patron saint of Crete. He is also a disciple of the apostle Paul and was one of the Seventy Apostles. Despite being a pagan, he was an ardent and dedicated missionary. His name is venerated in the Church as well as by faithful everywhere Christ is preached.
He was a great example for the faithful and a model for the Christian community. Though the New Testament does not mention his death, the Epistle that bears his name has been preserved and provides sound advice for church leaders today.
Titus is considered to be a saint of the Greek Orthodox Church. He was a missionary, an administrator and a peacemaker. It is said that he rescued thousands of people from the evil practices of Paganism. During his life, he traveled to many countries.
Marinus
Marinus of Caesarea was one of the earliest known Christians. He founded a chapel and monastery in 301. His body is buried there.
Marinus was also a stone mason. He lived in a monastery at Monte Titano. He was also known as the saint of a thousand faces. He was also a hermit in a cave on the same island.
He was known to pray at the graves of Peter and Paul. He was martyred in the third century. During the time of Emperor Diocletian, he was tortured. When he was beheaded, he refused to swear an oath invoking the pagan gods.