Saints

Saint Nicholas was born in the third century in the city of Patara. His wealthy Christian parents died when he was young, and he gave his inheritance to the poor. Devoting himself to the Church,...

The Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (also named Levi) was the brother of James Alphaeus. He was a tax collector until he was called by Christ. He was the first to write a Gospel, and he wrote in...

St. Thomas, like many of the other Apostles, was a fisherman before he followed Jesus. Thomas is involved in one important point in scripture, just after the Resurrection. Thomas was not with the...

This contemporary Byzantine icon of the Archangel Michael depicts him in his role as warrior and intercessor for the church. He holds aloft a flaming sword in his right hand and in his left carries...

Christ is crucified, and below the Cross stand the Theotokos and St. John. Around the border are a number of saints, including John the Baptist, Apostles Peter and Paul, Basil the Great, John...

As the Savior of mankind, Christ accomplished countless miracles of healing the sick and broken — in body and in spirit. In His boundless love, Christ ministered to the suffering, even to the point...

Saint Eustathius (Eustace, Eustathios) was born in the late first century and was named Placidus. He was a famous general during the reigns of Emperors Titus and Trajan. While out hunting one day,...

St. John the Evangelist did not only author a Gospel, but was a much beloved Apostle and minister of Jesus. He and his brother James were both fishermen and both called to Jesus at the same time and...

This beautiful icon depicts the Apostle Paul, one of the preeminent Apostles and missionaries of the first generation of Christians. From the Holy Mountain, Mount Athos, it captures the humility and...

Dobri Dobrev was a Bulgarian ascetic. Born in 1914, his father died in World War I and he was raised by his mother. He married in 1940 and had four children. He soon found himself serving in World...

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&rdquo

Saint Mary lived in the fifth century. As a girl, she left her Christian family in order to follow her pleasures in unbridled sinful living. At one point she joined a group of pilgrims to Jerusalem,...

In this contemporary Russian icon we have the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles, who were the ones chosen by Christ to live closest to Him during His ministry and to be the foremost evangelists of the...

St. Matthew the Evangelist, also called Levi, also appears both among the icons of the Apostles and beneath the dome. As one of the Twelve Apostles, he witnessed the works and miracles of Jesus, and...

Saint Dunstan was born in the southwest of England around the year 909. He was educated by Irish monks, and around the age of 25 he was ordained a priest. He lived as a hermit for nine years, until...

This 13th century icon from Mount Sinai depicts Saint Paul, a chief of the Apostles and defining evangelist of the early Church. Originally named Saul, Paul was a Jew and a Pharisee. He was a...

Samuel’s prophecies were a driving force in the era after the Israelites had settled in one land. His conception and birth, after his then-barren mother Hannah offered her sorrow to God and asked...

This icon is a beautiful contemporary Byzantine portrayal of the Old Testament Prophet Daniel. Renowned for his faithfulness to the God of his fathers in a foreign land, the Prophet Daniel figures...

Melchizedek was the king of Salem during the time of Abraham. He is briefly mentioned in Genesis as having offered a sacrifice of bread and wine to God, and he blessed Abraham. He is a mysterious...

Saint Genevieve was born in the village of Nanterre, west of Paris in Gaul (modern France), about the year 420. When she was eight years old, she expressed to Saint Germanus of Auxerre her desire...

Saint Spyridon was from Cyprus, where he worked as a shepherd. After the death of his wife, he was appointed Bishop of Trimythus. At the First Ecumenical Council, he refuted the Arians using his...

Painted in the beautiful decorative style of ancient Byzantine manuscripts, this striking icon features the Lord Jesus standing in the center as a Teachers. His students, the Apostles, stand round...

Saint Sophrony was born to Orthodox parents in Russia in 1896 and was named Sergei Sakharov. As a child he prayed for long periods of time every day, and even experienced the Uncreated Light. As he...

The Apostle and Evangelist John was especially loved by Christ for his love and purity, and with Peter and James, was one of the closest Apostles to Him. He witnessed the Transfiguration and was the...

This colorful, early 20th century Russian icon features Christ Pantocrator ("Almighty") enthroned, with the Virgin and John the Baptist making supplication at his throne.

Saint Nicodemus (or Nikodemos) was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. He is known as "the Secret Disciple" because he visited Jesus at night to discuss his teachings (John 3). He became...

Saint Valentine (or Valentinus) was a 3rd century bishop of Terni in Italy. He was martyred in Rome in 269. He is commemorated on February 14 by Western Christians and on July 30 by the Eastern...

Saint Brendan was born in the year 484 AD in County Kerry, Ireland. He was educated in the monastery school at Tuam. When he was 26, he was ordained a priest and undertook several missionary...

Saint John was born in 1871 in the Ryazan region of the Russian Empire. His father was a priest, and John followed in his footsteps, attending seminary. After marrying his wife, he was ordained a...

Eight days after the Resurrection, we celebrate the "excellent unbelief of Thomas," in the words of one Vesperal hymn for the feast. His doubting and unbelief led the Lord to offer proof, which...

This 13th century icon from Mount Sinai depicts the Saint Peter, a chief of the Apostles and the first bishop of Antioch and of Rome. Originally a fisherman, Peter was called by Christ and...

Saint Brigit (also spelled Brigid or Bridget) was an Irish abbess of the convent of Kildare-Kil Dara, which means Cell of the Oak. She was well-known for her generosity and kindness, and for the...

Saint Katherine (also spelled Catherine) is celebrated as a Great Martyr of the Orthodox Church. She suffered greatly for her faith in Christ in the year 305 at the hands of Maximinus of Alexandria...

Saint Gregory was born in 1296 and raised in the imperial court of Constantinople, where he excelled in both religious and secular knowledge. He later departed to Mount Athos and labored in the...

The Prophet Jonah (or Jonas) lived in the 8th century before Christ. He prophesied to the Israelites and the Ninevites, calling all to repentance. He also foretold of the coming Messiah. Jonah was...

The Good Thief was one of the two criminals who was crucified with Jesus. One of the thieves joined the Roman soldiers in mocking Christ and demanding to be saved, while this one said, "Remember me...

This historic Greek icon depicts the beloved Apostle John the Theologian exiled on the island of Patmos. Receiving the vision of the Apocalypse and attended by an angel, he dictates his Revelation...

Samuel’s prophecies were a driving force in the era after the Israelites had settled in one land. His conception and birth, after his then-barren mother Hannah offered her sorrow to God and asked...

This icon is a beautiful contemporary Byzantine portrayal of the Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel. Renowned for his visions of the angelic hosts and the New Jerusalem, his message of God’s salvation...

The Apostle and Evangelist Mark (also called John Mark) is the author of the Gospel of Mark. According to Church tradition, he was the young man who was seized by soldiers in the Garden of...