Saints

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the fleh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy. This is a place to discuss anything whatsoever remotely related to St. John the Forerunner and Baptist of our Lord

A group to discuss the lives and teachings of Western Saints.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high! " Kontakion in the Second Tone O Michael, who stands altogether radiant before the Trinity together with all the heavenly Hosts, and with them cries aloud the song inspired of God: As you pass throughout the earth by God's command and are made wondrous with exceedingly great marvels, cease not to intercede for us all.

Dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos, or bearer of God. Questions and discussion on all facets of her life, her role in the Church, dozens of her miracle working icons, and more are welcome.

The Blessed Martyr Yevgeny Rodionov was a Russian soldier of the First Chechen War. He was captured by Chechen Muslims and tortured and killed for refusing to renounce his Orthodox Christian Faith and convert to Islam. He was beheaded on his 19th birthday, and though he did not grow up surrounded by pious people, he never removed the cross which his grandmother had given him to wear. For the brave and valorous act of refusing to give up the cross he wore and Him Who was crucified upon it, Blessed Martyr Yevgeny Rodionov gave his life for the love of Jesus Christ on May 10/23, 1996. His veneration is growing in Russia and around the world. There have been books published about his life, blessed by His Holiness Patriarch Alexis II, there is a church dedicated to him, a service has been written, and there are numerous icons, some of which are myrrh-streaming. Still, he has not yet been universally glorified. For this, we wait for the will of God, the recognition and blessing of our God-fearing hierarchs, and the love of faithful Orthodox Christian people throughout the world. May we have Blessed Martyr Yevgeny's prayers and take inspiration from his unyielding confession of faith.

For those who love St. John Maximovitch, Archbishop of Shanghai, Western Europe, and San Francisco, and Worldwide Wonderworker. (And, if you love his great uncle, St. John Maximovitch of Tobolsk, this group is for you, too.)

A daily synaxarion or reading of the lives of the saints for the calendar day according to the history and tradition of the Orthodox Church.