Saint Raphael was born in Beirut in 1860. He spent the first decades of his life traveling throughout the Middle East and Russia, gaining knowledge and experience as a clergyman. Father Raphael was called to America and established a parish in...

Saint Theodore the Soldier (or "the Recruit," "the Tyro" or Theodore of Amasea) was a soldier and martyr in the early 4th century, enduring the persecutions of the emperors Maximian and Maximus. When it was discovered he was a Christian, a judge...

When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy godly power..." — Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 2 On Great and Holy Friday, our Lord is seen hanging upon the Cross,...

The Cross of Golgotha is an elaboration on the symbol of the Cross, and is especially common in Orthodox monasticism. The meaning of the text is as follows (from top to bottom): The King of GloryJesus Christ Conquers Honored Trophy, the Dread of...

In 5th century Jerusalem, the custom began that the faithful would hold candles during the Divine Liturgy on February 2, the feast of the Presentation of Christ (or Meeting of the Lord) in the Temple. This custom spread throughout the world, and in...

Our Palm Sunday Gift Set commemorates the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem. The two included incenses, Holy Cross and Hand-Gathered Myrrh, are reminders of His coming crucifixion and burial. The oil lamp recalls the parable of the Ten Virgins, the wise ones...

This historic Byzantine icon of the Crucifixion is from St. Catherine's Monastery at Mt. Sinai, Egypt. This icon records Christ’s triumph in vivid color and loving detail. Among other mourners and soldiers, the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) and St. John...

Painted in 1312 this image of Christ among his disciples depicts the last supper or the mystical supper. From the Monastery of Vatopedi at Mount Athos this world renowned image has deep blues, reds and yellows. Peter is at the right hand of Christ...

On February 15, 2015, the Moslem terrorists of Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) executed these 21 Coptic Orthodox men for their Christian faith. The video which showed the brutal beheadings called them "people of the cross, followers of the hostile...

This icon depicts Christ as the True Vine, the name He gives Himself in his final discourse in the Upper Room before his Betrayal. In John 15:5, Christ said to the gathered Apostles, "I am the Vine, you are the branches." This icon depicts this saying...