Saints

Aaron was the brother of Moses. While God assigned the task of Israelite leadership directly to Moses, Aaron became an important leader in his own right.  At his first encounter with God, Moses expressed concern that he was not well-spoken enough...

This fine icon of the holy Ancestor of God Saint Joachim is by the hand of American iconographer Mark Fiorenzo. It depicts the father of the Virgin Mary and grandfather of Jesus Christ with his hand raised in a gesture of prayer. This icon can be paired...

Saint Nicholas II reigned as the last Tsar (Emperor) of Russia from 1894 to 1917. His rule saw the liberalization and eventual fall of the Russian Empire in the Bolshevik Revolution, which ushered in the Soviet communism which was incredibly...

The holy, glorious Apostle Thomas is celebrated on October 6, and his "excellent unbelief, which led the hearts of the faithful to knowledge" is commemorated in the Orthodox Church on the Sunday after Pascha.

St. Basil was born in Caesarea in 329, to a holy family full of saints. He went to complete his education in Athens, where he first met his lifelong friend St. Gregory the Theologian. Later, after he had spent some time in solitude, Basil became a...

The Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John was the older cousin of our Lord. He was born miraculously of his aged parents, specially chosen by God to prepare the way for Christ, the Messiah. It was John who identified Jesus as "the Lamb of God...

Saint Onuphrius lived in the fourth century. He was a hermit in the deserts of Egypt, living alone. He had a wild appearance, covered in hair and naked except for a small garment made of leaves. Saint Paphnuitus was mystically sent to bury Onuphrius,...

Saint John (surnamed Mansur, later called Chrysorroas, "the Golden Stream" for his writing) was born in Damascus, Syria, late in the 7th century. (This was soon after the Umayyad dynasty took control of the region from the Eastern Roman Empire.) His...

Saint Tikhon was the first Patriarch of Moscow after the patriarchate was restored in 1917. But before this, he served as Bishop of the Aleuts and North America, and became an American citizen. He worked tirelessly to establish new churches in America,...

In this 16th century Cretan icon, the Theotokos is praised by Old Testament figures, from the Patriarch Jacob (holding the ladder), to Moses, the Prophets, and finally John the Forerunner, the last of the Old Testament prophets. The iconographer...

Saint James was a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire in the early-5th century. He and his wife were secret Christians, and in fear of being discovered, he offered a sacrifice of incense to the Emperor Barakhranes after a victory in battle. He...

Saint John Chrysostom (which means "Golden-Mouthed," after his eloquent speaking abilities) is one of the greatest preachers and theologians in Church history. His sermons and commentary on the scriptures are invaluable, and his bold preaching is held...

This 19th century Russian icon portrays the synaxis (assembly) of the holy Angels and Archangels. In the center is an orb containing Christ as Emmanuel. Behind Christ, holding orbs reading IC XC ("Jesus Christ"), is the chief Archangel,...

The educated St. Philip plays a relatively minor role in the Gospels, but his actions as a disciple while Jesus was alive show his practical nature and logical mind. He is commemorated on November 14. He was close friends with the Apostle Bartholomew,...

Barachiel in the Hebrew language means Blessing of God. One of the eight traditional archangels, he is depicted holding roses. He is considered to be a leader of the Guardian Angels, and a patron of married couples and families. This icon is...

The Prophet Joel lived some 800 years before Christ. One of the Minor Prophets, he prophesied of the coming of the Holy Spirit. He is commemorated on October 19.

Saint Alexis was a Hungarian-American Greek Catholic priest. After being mistreated by a series of bishops, he converted to Orthodoxy and worked tirelessly to bring other uniate communities into the Orthodox Church. Saint Alexis died in 1909. His feast...

The Archangel Michael is the warrior of God, and in any given instance of heavenly warfare is likely present fighting for Him. In icons, Michael can always be identified by his soldier's attire, his armor, and the sword he wields. Also, Michael is...

Saint Mark of Ephesus entered the monastic life as a young man, and became a devoted student of the hesychast teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas. He became a deacon, and later a priest, and was appointed Metropolitan of Ephesus. He attended the Council...

This historic Greek icon depicts the beloved Apostle John the Theologian. Exiled to the Mediterranean island of Patmos in his old age, he is shown receiving the revelation of the apocalypse (unfolding) and dictating to his scribe, St. Prochorus. This...

Saint Cyril was born in Alexandria in the year 376. He was instructed in the faith by his uncle Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria. Cyril succeeded to the patriarchal throne himself in 412. When Nestorius began teaching his heresy, Cyril was a...

This beautiful example of Western iconography is a manuscript illumination from the Book of Kells, a Celtic Gospel book dating to the early 9th century. The Evangelists are represented by their symbolic representations: an angel for Matthew, a lion for...

The Holy Patriarch Abraham is commemorated on Sunday of the Forefathers (2nd Sunday Before Christmas) and October 9.

Barbara, born in the third century in Syria, was so beautiful that her pagan father placed her in an isolated tower to keep her innocent of any influence except his own until she could be married. Like St. Christina, Barbara also came to realize...

Saint Cyprian served as bishop of Carthage in the Roman province of Africa (in modern Tunisia). He was baptized late in life, but his conversion was radical and swift. Because of his great zeal, he was ordained a deacon, then priest, then bishop within...

While not himself one of the Twelve Apostles, the Evangelist St. Mark is said to have been present at Jesus’ arrest. In the Gospel of Mark, the “young man” who ran away from the scene, and apparently watched the Crucifixion from afar,...

Saints Peter and Paul are celebrated together as the Holy and Glorious Leaders of the Apostles. Saint Peter was a zealous follower of Christ, and was the first to confess His Divinity. While the Apostle denied Christ after His arrest, the Lord forgave...

This stunning historic Russian icon depicts the Archangel Michael. He wears festal robes of scarlet (his traditional color) and carries a scepter in his right hand, symbolizing his authority as chief of the bodiless powers of heaven. This icon is a...

Saint Aidan was a 7th century Irish missionary to Northumbria in northern England. Centuries after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, its impacts were beginning to fade, and paganism was making a comeback in the British isles. With the support of...

Saint George, sometimes called “the Trophy-bearer,” was born in the province of Cappadocia, Asia Minor (Turkey), in the third century and raised as a Christian. About age 20, he joined the Roman army under the emperor Diocletian,...

St. James Alphaeus, is also known as “St. James the Less,” meaning the smaller or younger, to distinguish him from the second apostle James, the brother of John. Unlike the brother of John, St. James Alphaeus is not often mentioned in the...

Saints Peter and Paul are celebrated together as the Holy and Glorious Leaders of the Apostles. Saint Peter was a zealous follower of Christ, and was the first to confess His Divinity. While the Apostle denied Christ after His arrest, the Lord forgave...

Saint Agnes lived in Rome, the child of Christian parents. She dedicated herself to a life of virginity for the sake of Christ, and refused the proposal of the son of a Roman official. After confessing Christ, she was arrested, tortured, thrown into...

Saint Conon was born in Nazareth, the hometown of the Lord Jesus. As an adult he lived in Mandona, where he was a gardener. He was a devoted Christian and had a pure heart. The saint suffered under the emperor Decius and openly confessed his faith at...

Saint Edward was the last King of England before the Great Schism, reigning from 1042 until 1066. He had a deep devotion to the Christian faith, and was known as a living saint. He spent the first 39 years of his life in exile due to the Danish...

Also known as Isaac of Ninevah, he was born in Arabia in the early 7th century. As a young man he entered a monastery and devoted himself to the monastic life. Later in his life, he was ordained Bishop of Nineveh in the north of modern Iraq. After just...

This icon depicts St. Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra and renowned for his charity and life of faithfulness to the Church. While he is more well known today for being the precursor to St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) stories, he has long been renowned for caring...

This famous image is one of Russia's finest and most ancient treasures. Dating to the 12th century, it survived the Mongol invasion and first appeared in Moscow in the 16th century. Based on the style, scholars believe it may have been painted in...

Saints Constantine and Helen are important figures in the history of the Church: Constantine for Christianizing the Roman Empire, and Helen for building churches and encouraging others with her strong devotion and piety. This matching icon set depicts...