Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople and one of the Three Hierarchs, was born around 347 in Antioch. His father died soon after his birth, and his mother, Anthusa, raised him in Christian devotion. Gifted in learning, John studied philosophy and rhetoric but turned to Scripture and prayer under the guidance of Saint Meletius of Antioch, who baptized him in 367. After becoming a Reader, he studied ascetic life with Flavian and Diodorus of Tarsus. Following his mother’s death, he embraced monasticism, living in the wilderness and writing early theological works such as Six Discourses on the Priesthood and Against the Opponents of Those Attracted to the Monastic Life.

Ordained deacon in 381 and presbyter in 386, John quickly became renowned for his eloquent preaching, earning the name “Chrysostom,” or “Golden-Mouthed.” His sermons and biblical commentaries on Genesis, the Gospels, and the Epistles inspired deep repentance and understanding among his listeners.…

"To the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, beloved children in the Lord,

Christ is in our midst!

As we begin this sacred season of fasting in preparation for Our Lord’s Nativity in the flesh, I desire first of all to give each of you my blessing and assure you of my prayers.

According to the sanctoral calendar of our Church, the first day of the Nativity Fast is also the memory of St. Paisius Velichkovsky, one of the great transmitters and exponents of the Byzantine hesychastic tradition among both Slavic and Romanian peoples. In marking this commemoration, we rightly take pride in our rich sacred tradition of prayer and watchfulness, of theology and contemplation. St. Paisius is a true teacher of Orthodoxy and knight of the faith, and, even as we begin our fast, we celebrate his feast with great joy.

St. Paisius was not…

The Holy Martyr Victor of Damascus served as a soldier during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius the Philosopher (161–180). When the emperor began persecuting Christians, Victor refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods—a ritual meant to prove a soldier’s loyalty to the gods, the emperor, and the state. For his steadfast faith, he was subjected to cruel tortures, yet he remained unharmed through divine strength. By the power of prayer, he overcame a sorcerer who, witnessing Victor’s faith and miracles, renounced his dark arts and converted to Christianity.

Through Saint Victor’s prayers, several blind soldiers miraculously received their sight. Among the witnesses was Stephanida, the young Christian wife of one of Victor’s torturers, who openly praised Christ after seeing the miracle. For her bold confession, she was condemned to a brutal death—tied between two bent palm trees that tore her apart when released. She was only fifteen years…

The Holy Martyr and Hierarch Mίlos of Persia was once a valiant general who, forsaking worldly honor, devoted himself entirely to the service of Christ. By divine providence, he was chosen as Bishop of Telepolis (Susa, called Shushan in the Syriac tongue), the very city where the Prophet Daniel beheld the heavenly visions.

Because of his pure and ascetic life, Saint Mίlos was found worthy to receive from God the grace of prophecy and the gift of healing. He was ordained to the episcopate by Bishop Bēthlapát of Geddēgoupolis, and as a true shepherd of his flock, he guided his people with wisdom and holiness.

When the pagans rose up against the Church and cast him out from his See in Susa, the Saint fled first to the holy city of Jerusalem, and afterward to Alexandria, where he was blessed to meet our venerable father among the saints, Anthony the Great…