(Feast Day ~ April 22) Those who do genealogical research in an effort to learn more about their family heritage know that there is often not much information about their ancestors. A birth certificate, record of baptism, register of marriage, and a death notice are often all that can be learned about numerous souls whose […]

Feast Day ~ April 21 The wife of a ruler – whether president, prime minister, king or emperor – can lead a difficult life. She is expected to be diplomatic at all times, to be unmoved by the criticisms given her husband, to be a gracious hostess, and to support worthy charitable causes. She is constantly […]

(Feast Day ~ April 19) How many of the saints of God have lived their holy lives in the terrible atmosphere of war, with the constant threat of attack and violent death? Perhaps it is this very atmosphere of terror that causes some Christians to follow the path of our Savior in sacrificing their lives […]

(Feast Day ~ April 17)   Fiery threats from Iran’s ruler, volatile relationships between Iran and other countries, and unrest among its citizens are not new in this century and the last. 700 years ago, when there was a Persian Empire, King Sapor II made life difficult for many and was especially cruel to Persians […]

(Feast day ~ April 14) Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is athirst for God, yea even for the living God. [Psalm 42:1, 2a] St. Justin began life as a typical citizen of the Roman Empire. Born in Nablus, Palestine (Shechem in ancient Samaria) around […]

(Feast Day ~ April 11) The year 451 was a crucial one for the Church and for one of her saints, Leo, Patriarch (pope) of Rome. In that year, the fourth Ecumenical Council was convened in Chalcedon to continue wrestling with questions regarding the person of Christ, specifically the relationship of his humanity and his […]

Feast Day ~ April 8 At many points in the history of the Church, Christians have been accused of being merely against things. “Thou shalt nots” appear to take precedence over “Thou shalts”. What we believe is wrong seems to be emphasized over what we believe is right. This accusation could certainly be made against […]

(Feast Day ~ April 7) St. Tikhon Belavin, who was a Russian bishop in America during the early part of this century (with responsibility for all the Orthodox faithful in this country) , and who later became Patriarch of Moscow, was instrumental in the restoration of a Western Rite for Orthodoxy. He was responsible for […]

(Feast Day ~ April 6) Life was dangerous for Christians living in parts of Asia Minor in the 13th century. St. Gregory of Sinai and his family found out just how dangerous when they were suddenly dragged from their home near the city of Smyrna by a gang of Arab Muslims (called “Hagarenes” in that […]