St. Stephen (whose name in Greek means “Crown,” was the first Christian martyr. His death is recorded in Acts 6-7. He is first mentioned as one of the seven men who were chosen to become the deacons of the early church. They concerned themselves mostly with works of charity within the community. St. Stephen spoke with fervor about the new law given to Christians by the Lord, and because of this, he came into conflict with the Jews. He was stoned to death, receiving the crown of martyrdom. One of the Jews who took part in the stoning was a man by the name of Saul, who later became St. Paul.
order a prayer card of this icon
St. John the Evangelist, the son of Zebedee and brother of James the Greater, is perhaps best known for his writings, the highest Christology in the New Testament. He was entrusted by Christ with the care of the Theotokos. He cared for her until her falling -asleep. He then moved to Patmos where he wrote and formed a Christian community. He was an ardent defender of the Divinity of Christ, and a powerful evangelist for the early church.
Troparion (Tone 2)
- Beloved apostle of Christ our God,
- hasten to deliver a defenseless people.
- He who allowed you to recline on His breast,
- receives you as you bow before Him.
- Implore Him, John the Theologian,
- to disperse the persistent threat from the heathens,
- entreating for us peace and great mercy.
Kontakion (Tone 2)
- Who shall declare declare your greatness,
- O virgin disciple,
- for you pour forth wonders and are a source of healings,
- and pray for our souls as Theologian and friend of Christ.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_John
order a prayer card of this icon
Born in 1829, St. John of Kronstadt was an archpriest in the Russian Orthodox Church. He was a fervent advocate of the return to frequent communion. St. John fell asleep in the Lord in 1908.
order a prayer card of this icon
St. Ignatius was the third bishop of Antioch (including St. Peter) and was a dedicated pastor to his flock. He instructed those in his charge in Christian princioples, exhorted them to stay strong in the face of persecution, and defended the faith against early heresies. He was sentenced to death by the Emperor Trajan, and embraced his martyrdom, insisting that no one work to prevent his death. He was fed to the lions in the Flavian amphitheatre and received the crown of martyrdom.
Troparion (Tone 4)
- By sharing in the ways of the Apostles,
- you became a successor to their throne.
- Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation,
- O inspired one of God;
- by teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith,
- even to the shedding of your blood.
- Hieromartyr Ignatius, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion (Tone 3)
- The stirring celebration of your victorious fight
- Is an announcement of the One who is to be born of the Virgin.
- In your eagerness to possess Him forever,
- You hastened to be devoured by the wild beasts.
- Therefore, O glorious Ignatius, you were called the bearer of God!
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Ignatius
St. Spyridon was a farmer and shepherd who was known for his great piety. When his wife died, he entered a monastery. Despite his lack of education, he was called to the Episcopate, and attended the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. Where he was a vocal opponent of Arius. St. Spyridon is known to this day as a miracle worker and protector of the island of Corfu. His relics, which remain incorrupt, are taken on procession there every year. Each year they replace his shoes because they discover that he has worn holes in the bottom of his shoes.
order a prayer card of this icon
order a prayer card of this icon
Troparion – Tone 1
You were revealed as a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, our God-bearing father Spyridon.
You spoke to one dead in the grave
and transformed a serpent into gold.
While chanting your holy prayers
you had angels serving with you!
Kontakion – Tone 2
Wounded by the love of Christ,
all-holy one, your mind was given wings through the light of the Spirit,
you found work in active contemplation, God-pleasing Spyridon,
becoming a divine sacrifice,
and imploring divine illumination for all.
http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=103526
St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra in Lycia. He is known for many miracles and for his love and compassion for the poor and for children. He was also present at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea and was a staunch opponent of Arianism.
Troparion (Tone 4)
- In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
- an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
- your humility exalted you;
- your poverty enriched you.
- Hierarch Father Nicholas,
- entreat Christ our God
- that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion (Tone 3)
- You revealed yourself, O saint, in Myra as a priest,
- For you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ
- By giving up your soul for your people,
- And saving the innocent from death.
- Therefore you are blessed as one become wise in the grace of God.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Nicholas_of_Myra
St. John of Damascus, was born in 680 into the family of the treasurer to the Caliph in Damascus. St. John eventually beceme a minister to the Caliph. Upon writing in defence of icons against iconoclasm, the emperor conspired to stop him. He forged letters implicating St.John in treasonous activity, causing the Caliph to cut off St. John’s hand. St. John held the hand to his arm and prayed fervently before an icon of the Mother of God. When he awoke it had been miraculously restored. This then became the foundation for the “three-handed icon of the Mother of God.” St. John decided not to return to the ministry of the Caliph despite the Caliph’s forgiveness. instead he entered the St. Sabbas monastery and was ordained to the priesthood. He was forbidden by the Elder of the monastery to write until a vision of the Theotokos told the Elder to let him use his gifts. St. John is known as one of the great hymnographers and perhaps the greatest defender of Icons.
Troparion (Tone 8)
- Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
- the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs:
- all-wise father John, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
- Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion (Tone 4)
- Let us sing praises to John, worthy of great honor,
- the composer of hymns, the star and teacher of the Church, the defender of her doctrines:
- through the might of the Lord¹s Cross he overcame heretical error
- and as a fervent intercessor before God
- he entreats that forgiveness of sins may be granted to all.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/John_of_Damascus
order a prayer card of this icon
Troparion – Tone 8
Let us honor the holy martyr Barbara,
for as a bird she escaped the snares of the enemy,
and destroyed them through the help and defense of the Cross.
Kontakion – Tone 4
Singing the praises of the Trinity,
you followed God by enduring suffering;
you renounced the multitude of idols,
O holy martyr Barbara.
In your struggles, you were not frightened by the threats of your torturers, but cried out in a loud voice:
“I worship the Trinity in one God-head.”
order a prayer card of this icon
St. Alexander was born in 1872 in the city of Kremenetz. After theological training, he was sent to America and after getting married was ordained to the holy priesthood. he was a dedicated servant to the church, and helped to build many parishes in the New York area. He personally oversaw and participated in the construction of St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York. St. Alexander was eventually sent to Finland before returning to Russia in 1917 to serve in Moscow under St. Tikhon. He was arrested and tried for counter-revolutionary activities for which he was imprisoned. He was released and then arrested and exiled. After returning from exile and returning to the service of the church, he was again arrested. No records exist to say for certain what happened to him, but there are reports that he was martyred.
order a prayer card of this icon
order a prayer card of this icon
St. Andrew was the first of the disciples to be called by Jesus. He is the brother of St. Peter, and was a fisherman. After the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, he travelled through Asia Minor and Greece, bringing the Word of God to the people. He was martyred under the Roman Governor, Aegeas in Achaiea. According to tradition, he was crucified, being bound, not nailed to an “X” shaped cross to prolong his suffering.
Order a prayer card of this icon
Troparion (Tone 4)
- Andrew, first-called of the Apostles
- and brother of the foremost disciple,
- entreat the Master of all
- to grant peace to the world
- and to our souls great mercy.
Kontakion (Tone 2)
- Let us praise Andrew, the herald of God,
- the namesake of courage,
- the first-called of the Savior’s disciples
- and the brother of Peter.
- As he once called to his brother, he now cries out to us:
- “Come, for we have found the One whom the world desires!”
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_Andrew
St. Stephen (whose name in Greek means “Crown,” was the first Christian martyr. His death is recorded in Acts 6-7. He is first mentioned as one of the seven men who were chosen to become the deacons of the early church. They concerned themselves mostly with works of charity within the community. St. Stephen spoke with fervor about the new law given to Christians by the Lord, and because of this, he came into conflict with the Jews. He was stoned to death, receiving the crown of martyrdom. One of the Jews who took part in the stoning was a man by the name of Saul, who later became St. Paul.
