There are many different patron saints of Greek Orthodox Christians. Each has their own unique contributions to Christianity. These include Theodore of Kos, George the Victory-Bearer, Catherine of Alexandria, and Iakovos Tsalikis. However, they have all served as powerful defenders of the faith and its members. It is for this reason that we continue to honor these holy warriors.
St. Theodore
St Theodore of Amasea is a Greek Orthodox saint. His birth was in Sykeon, which is near the city of Anastasiopolis in Greece. In the Middle Ages, he was also a famous saint in Syria, Palestine, and the East. He became a very important Christian saint and an important figure in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Saint Theodore was born into a family of pious Christians. When he was young, he was given the gift of healing. It is believed that he studied medicine and law in Constantinople.
When he was eight, he began to emulate pious elder Stephen. This encouraged his mother to retire from her home.
St Theodore’s mother had a vision of a bright star in her womb. Her dream was confirmed by a clairvoyant elder. She explained that this was a sign of grace.
St. Catherine
One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of the Roman Catholic Church, Saint Catherine is the patroness of apologists, students, teachers, and unmarried girls. She was also a virgin martyr who is considered one of the Great Martyrs of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Catherine was born into a noble family in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father was the governor of the city. She was educated in music and philosophy. It was at this time that she converted to Christianity. In the beginning of her life, she was a pagan. However, she was converted after a vision. During her conversion, she received a beautiful golden ring from Christ.
She was baptized in the Christian faith. She became a wise woman and an avid scholar. Her love for Christ led to many conversions.
St. Gall
St Gall, one of the orthodox patron saints, was a holy man and a hermit. He was born in Ireland in the year 550. During his life, he traveled around with St Columbanus on a mission to spread Christianity. His tomb is in the Abbey of St Gall in Saint Gallen, Switzerland. The town of Sankt Gallen, with a population of 74,500, is located in a valley 700 meters above sea level.
Saint Gall is credited with releasing a demon from a woman who was betrothed to a Frankish king. According to legend, the bear that followed him gathered firewood and brought it to the holy man’s campfire. When the bear tried to attack him, the holy man rebuked it.
Saint Gall traveled through the regions of Belgium and Switzerland, where he met St Columban and joined him on his journey. The monastery where he lived was built upon the site of his original hermitage.
St. George the Victory-Bearer
Saint George the Victory-Bearer is one of the most revered Christian martyr-saints in the Orthodox Church. His legend is a great example of the power of Christ.
Saint George was born in Cappadocia to a Christian family. He grew up in a pious family that raised him in the knowledge and practice of Christ. When he was a boy, he joined the Roman army and became a military tribune at the age of twenty. As a military tribune, he was able to command one thousand troops.
When he was about thirty, Saint George decided to join the ranks of the Emperor’s personal guard. The Emperor, Diocletian, had been a pagan, and he had a lot of resentment towards the Christians.
St. George had to endure unheard-of tortures because of his beliefs. However, he never gave up his faith. Despite the many obstacles, he was able to overcome them with great steadfastness.
St. Iakovos Tsalikis
Holy Elder Iakovos Tsalikis of Evia, who was a wonderworking monk and confessor of the Lord, is now a Saint. He was born in 1920 in Asia Minor. His family moved to Greece and settled in Northern Evia.
When he was just two years old, his father was taken away by the Turkish authorities. As a result, Iakovos’ family had to move to another village. But despite the hardships, the saint lived a life of piety, fervor and devotion.
He was ordained as a priest in late 1952. After that, he worked alongside father Stavros Tsalikis. Before his death, he was the leader of the Monastery of Saint David the Venerable. In fact, he was the incarnation of the Gospel.
His holiness is recognized by thousands of Christians in the rest of the world. Many miracles continue to be performed by the saint today.
