The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church: Volume 10, October

Viktor Nikitin

The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church: Volume 10, October

The Lives of the Saints October

Lives of the Saints Celebrated on October 1

Saint Ananias of Damascus, one of the Seventy Apostles and first Bishop of Damascus (1st c.):

Saint Ananias shines in the apostolic age as one of the Seventy Apostles and the first Bishop of Damascus, remembered most of all for his obedience to Christ at a moment of fear and uncertainty. When the persecutor Saul—breathing threats against Christians—was struck blind on the road to Damascus, the Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision, commanding him to seek out Saul and restore his sight through prayer. Though Ananias knew Saul’s reputation and trembled at the thought of approaching him, his love of God overcame fear, and he entered the house on Straight Street, laid his hands upon Saul, and proclaimed the word of the Lord. Immediately the scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and Ananias baptized the one who would become the Apostle Paul. After this sacred encounter, Ananias labored tirelessly in Damascus and the surrounding regions, teaching converts, strengthening the faithful, and enduring persecutions with unshakable hope. His miracles, his gentleness of spirit, and his steadfast confession of Christ drew many from darkness into the light of the Gospel. Eventually he sealed his witness with martyrdom, stoned to death by those who hated the name of Jesus. His memory remains inseparable from the conversion of Paul, reminding the Church that sometimes the quiet obedience of a single disciple becomes the turning point in the salvation of nations.

Martyr Domninus of Thessalonica (4th c.):

Martyr Domninus was a humble Christian of Thessalonica whose unwavering loyalty to Christ shone brightly during the fierce persecutions of the fourth century. When Roman officials sought to compel Christians to renounce their faith through sacrifice to idols, Domninus refused with calm firmness, declaring that the One God who created heaven and earth alone was worthy of worship. He was arrested, interrogated, and subjected to cruel torments, yet he bore all pains with a serenity that astonished his persecutors. Through beatings, imprisonment, and repeated attempts to break his resolve, Domninus used every moment to preach Christ to captors and prisoners alike, encouraging wavering believers to remain courageous. Many who witnessed his endurance were moved to repentance and even embraced martyrdom themselves. When Domninus was finally condemned to death, he went to his execution filled with joy, as though going to a feast. His steadfast faith became a beacon for the Christians of Thessalonica, who remembered him as a man who loved Christ more than life, and whose martyrdom strengthened the Church during an hour of great darkness.

Holy Emperor Mirian III of Iberia and Empress Nana of Mtskheta, Equals-to-the-Apostles, St. Abiathar of Mtskheta, and St. Sidonia, disciple of St. Nina (4th c.):

Saints Mirian and Nana, the royal couple who brought the light of the Gospel to the ancient kingdom of Iberia (Georgia), stand among the most treasured Equal-to-the-Apostles. When the holy Enlightener Nina arrived in their land with nothing but the power of the Cross she had woven from grapevines, she quietly preached the faith, healing the sick and teaching the people with gentleness. Empress Nana, long afflicted with illness, was healed through Saint Nina’s prayers and became the first of the royal family to embrace Christianity. Emperor Mirian, still devoted to the pagan gods, fiercely resisted the new faith until one day while hunting he was engulfed in sudden darkness. In desperation he cried out to the God whom Nina proclaimed, and immediately the light returned. This miracle pierced his heart with conviction, and he too was baptized, ordering that the nation should follow the light of Christ. With the help of Saint Abiathar, a noble convert, and Saint Sidonia—who had received the precious Robe of Christ from a Jewish pilgrim and was buried holding it to her heart—the king and queen established churches, protected the poor, and transformed Iberia into one of the first Christian kingdoms in the world. Their reign became the foundation of Georgian Christianity, a legacy that endures unbroken to this day. All four saints are remembered for their courage, faith, and cooperation with divine grace that changed the destiny of an entire people.

Venerable Romanos the Melodist, “Sweet-singer” (ca. 556):

Saint Romanos the Melodist is one of the greatest hymnographers of the Church, a man whose divinely inspired poetry still shapes Orthodox worship. Born in Syria, he later served as a deacon in Beirut before moving to Constantinople during the reign of Emperor Anastasius. There he lived a life of humility, often mocked for his lack of eloquence. On the eve of Christmas, despairing over his inability to chant with beauty, he prayed fervently before an icon of the Mother of God. That night she appeared to him in a dream, placing a scroll upon his lips and commanding him to eat it. Upon waking, Romanos ascended the ambo and, to the amazement of the entire congregation, began to sing the Kontakion “Today the Virgin gives birth to Him who is above all being,” a hymn radiant with spiritual depth. From that moment he received the divine gift of sacred poetry, composing countless kontakia that distilled the mysteries of salvation into vivid, prayerful song. His hymns guided the faithful through feasts and fasts, teaching doctrine through beauty. Until his repose he lived simply, seeking no glory, offering his gifts solely to Christ. His “sweet singing” remains one of the Church’s most cherished treasures, a testament to the grace that transforms humility into holiness.

Monk-Martyrs Michael, Abbot of Zovia Monastery near Sebaste, and 36 fathers with him (ca. 790):

Saint Michael and the 36 fathers of Zovia Monastery offered their lives during the turbulent era of iconoclasm, when faithful Christians were persecuted for honoring the holy images of Christ and His saints. As abbot, Michael guided his community in steadfast devotion to the traditions they had received, encouraging his monks to maintain both the spiritual disciplines of monastic life and unwavering loyalty to the truth of the Incarnation. When imperial soldiers arrived to force the monks to renounce the veneration of icons, Michael responded with calm authority, teaching that to reject sacred icons was to deny the reality that the Word had truly become flesh. Enraged, the soldiers subjected the monks to brutal punishments—beatings, starvation, and imprisonment—yet not one yielded. Their suffering united them even more closely to the holy images they defended. Eventually they were executed together, chanting psalms as their souls ascended to the heavenly kingdom. Their martyrdom stands as a shining witness to the victory of truth over coercion, and to the quiet heroism of monastic communities that preserved the faith in times of fierce trial.

Saint Melchizedek, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia (ca. 1030):

Saint Melchizedek served as a wise and steadfast shepherd at a time when Georgia was emerging as a powerful Christian kingdom under King Bagrat III. Known for his deep spiritual discernment and firm governance, he labored tirelessly to strengthen ecclesiastical order, secure unity among the faithful, and promote sacred learning. Under his leadership, churches were restored, monasteries flourished, and the moral life of the people was renewed. Saint Melchizedek also guided the Church through turbulent political struggles, interceding for peace and urging rulers toward justice and humility. He is remembered as a father of the Georgian nation, a man whose fidelity to Christ shaped the spiritual character of his country. His repose marked the passing of a patriarch whose influence endured for centuries in the hearts of the faithful.

Saint Piatus of Tournai (ca. 286):

Saint Piatus preached the Gospel in the regions of Tournai, Chartres, and northern Gaul during the apostolic age of the Church’s expansion. Traveling from village to village, he brought the message of salvation to pagan peoples who had never heard the name of Christ. His miracles, his gentleness, and his fearless proclamation drew many into the faith, establishing Christian communities where none had existed before. When imperial authorities forbade the preaching of the Gospel under penalty of death, Piatus refused to abandon his flock. He was arrested, tortured, and finally beheaded, sealing his years of missionary labor with the crown of martyrdom. His body was reverently buried by the faithful, and his tomb became a source of miracles. To this day he is venerated as one of the earliest apostolic laborers in the lands of Belgium and France.

Martyrs Verissimus, Maxima, and Julia of Portugal (ca. 302):

These three siblings—Verissimus, Maxima, and Julia—were radiant confessors of Christ during the persecutions of Diocletian. Though young in years, they were mature in faith, resisting every attempt to compel them to serve idols. Their purity of heart confounded their judges, and their serenity under torture strengthened other Christians who wavered in fear. The governor, enraged by their unbreakable resolve, ordered even harsher torments, but the siblings continued to praise Christ, encouraging one another with psalms. At last they were condemned to death and entered the glory of martyrdom. Their witness spread rapidly among the Christians of Iberia, becoming a source of courage for those enduring trials.

Martyr Aretas and 504 other martyrs of Rome:

During a violent outburst of persecution, Aretas and more than five hundred believers were seized and commanded to deny Christ. Their captors expected that the sheer size of the group would intimidate the faithful and break their unity, yet the opposite occurred: the martyrs strengthened one another with prayer, confession, and hymns. They refused bribes, threats, tortures, and promises of release—even when families were torn apart before their eyes. One by one they were executed in waves, each martyr inspired by the courage of those who had gone before. Their memory became a powerful testament to the strength of communal witness, proving that the Church stands unshaken when believers suffer together for the truth.

Saint Aladius (Albaud), Bishop of Toul (ca. 520):

Saint Aladius served the Church of Toul in Gaul with humility, pastoral tenderness, and a gift for healing. Many afflicted with illnesses and demonic torments sought his prayers, and the Lord worked wonders through him. As a bishop he guided clergy and laity alike with wisdom, nurturing the monastic communities that were springing up throughout the region. His life was marked by deep compassion for the poor and neglected, and he personally distributed food and alms, refusing to allow anyone in his diocese to suffer hunger. At his repose the faithful mourned a loving father whose presence had brought peace to thousands.

Saint Bavo of Ghent (659):

Saint Bavo began his life as a worldly nobleman, known for pride, wealth, and indulgence. But through the preaching of Saint Amandus his heart was pierced with the fear of God. Renouncing all possessions, he distributed his wealth to the poor and embraced a life of repentance. He entered monastic life at Ghent, humbling himself in the lowest tasks and seeking obscurity. Eventually he embraced an anchoritic life, living in solitude, fasting, and continual prayer. Even so, people sought him for counsel, and his cave became a refuge for the sorrowful. His repentance shone so brightly that after his repose he was honored as a model for all who seek to turn from sin to holiness.

Saint Dodo, Abbot of Wallers-en-Faigne (750):

Saint Dodo guided his monastery with fatherly wisdom, fostering a life of prayer and labor. Known for his mildness and generosity, he built up both the spiritual and material life of the community, caring especially for travelers and the poor who sought shelter at the monastery’s gates. His vigilance in prayer and his counsel to those who suffered spiritual trials won him the love of monastics and laypeople alike. After a life of humility and steady virtue, he reposed in peace, leaving behind a flourishing community grounded in the Gospel.

Saint Fidharleus of Rathin (762):

Saint Fidharleus restored the monastery of Rathin in Ireland after it had fallen into decline. With patience and holy fervor he renewed the monastic rule, rebuilt the church, and rekindled the zeal of the brethren. His ascetic life, marked by fasting, silence, and profound charity, became a model for Irish monasticism. Many sought his guidance, and he was known for consoling the afflicted and healing the sick. His blessed repose crowned decades of labor offered solely for the love of Christ.

Martyr-Prince Mylor of Brittany (Melorius):

Saint Mylor, a young prince of Brittany, became a martyr in the midst of political strife and treachery. Though still a youth, he displayed remarkable gentleness, piety, and wisdom. Because of envy, conspirators sought to remove him from his inheritance and subjected him to cruel mutilation. Even so, he forgave his persecutors and continued to live quietly, devoting himself to prayer. When they eventually murdered him, the people recognized his innocence and sanctity, honoring him as a martyr whose humility and patience had revealed the kingdom of God amid earthly injustice.

Saint Virila, Abbot of Leyre (ca. 1000):

Saint Virila was known for a profound longing to understand eternity. During a walk near the monastery he paused to listen to a bird’s heavenly song, and in that moment he was granted a mysterious vision: what seemed like a brief instant was actually centuries. Returning to the monastery, he found no one alive who remembered him, and only then did he realize the divine lesson—that the joys of heaven make even the longest earthly life seem fleeting. He lived the remainder of his days in awe, teaching his monks to seek the Kingdom above all. His story became a beloved testimony to the mystery of divine time.

Saint Gregory the Singer of the Great Lavra (1355):

Saint Gregory, known as the Domesticus, served in the Great Lavra of Mount Athos as a skilled chanter whose voice uplifted countless souls. His music flowed not from artistry alone, but from a heart purified by prayer and humility. He spent long hours in vigils, chanting psalms until his soul seemed to soar toward the heavenly choirs. Many monks testified that during services his face shone with uncreated light. His hymns and melodies enriched Athonite worship, and after his repose he was remembered as a bridge between earthly and angelic praise.

Saint John Koukouzelis the Hymnographer (1360):

Saint John Koukouzelis, one of the greatest musicians in Byzantine history, was gifted with an angelic voice from childhood. Though born to poverty, he rose to become a master of the musical art, composing chants that remain central to Orthodox liturgical tradition. At Mount Athos he embraced ascetic life, combining musical genius with profound humility. Tradition tells that angels themselves taught him melodies and that the Mother of God once appeared to him, thanking him for his devotion to sacred chant. His compositions—filled with spiritual sweetness and theological depth—continue to shape worship to this day.

Venerable Sabbas of Vishera, Wonderworker (1461):

Saint Sabbas withdrew into the northern forests of Russia, seeking to live in silence with God alone. Establishing a monastery on the Vishera River, he taught his disciples the beauty of stillness, obedience, and ceaseless prayer. His holiness drew many who sought healing and counsel. Even during his lifetime miracles occurred through his prayers, and after his repose the monastery became a place of pilgrimage, filled with stories of deliverance, protection, and grace.

Saint Domna Slipchenko, Fool-for-Christ of Poltava (1872):

Saint Domna embraced the difficult and hidden path of holy foolishness, choosing to appear as one without reason in order to hide her virtues from praise. She wandered the streets of Poltava offering gentle words, prophetic warnings, and quiet acts of mercy. Many who encountered her later realized that her feigned madness concealed extraordinary discernment and purity. At her repose the people understood that they had been living among a vessel of divine grace.

New Hieromartyr Alexis, Priest (1918):

During the early Soviet persecutions, Father Alexis remained faithful to his flock despite threats, surveillance, and arrests. He continued to serve the Divine Liturgy, baptize infants, and comfort the dying. When he refused to renounce Christ, he was imprisoned and finally executed. His martyrdom became a symbol of pastoral love stronger than the fear of death.

New Hieromartyr Michael (Vologodsky), Priest of Krasnoyarsk (1920):

Father Michael was known for his warm compassion and his dedication to the poor. When anti-Christian authorities forbade religious gatherings, he secretly celebrated services in homes and barns. Arrested for “counter-revolutionary activity,” he bore interrogations with patience, refusing to betray fellow believers. He was shot for the faith, forgiving his executioners with his final breath.

New Hieromartyr George (Archangelsky), Priest (1937):

Father George served in a period of terror, when thousands of clergy disappeared into prisons and labor camps. He never ceased preaching the Gospel, even when church closures left him without a parish temple. During interrogation he confessed Christ boldly, declaring that no earthly power could extinguish the light of faith. He was executed and numbered among the host of hierarchical martyrs who shone in the Soviet night.

New Hieromartyrs Alexander, Gregory, and Nicholas, Priests (1937):

These three priests, serving in different regions, were united in martyrdom during the same wave of persecutions. Each endured false accusations, brutal questioning, and imprisonment. Though separated by distance, they shared the same pastoral courage, refusing to renounce their vows or collaborate with atheistic authorities. Their martyrdoms were recorded in the heavenly books, and their memory remains a source of unity and strength for the faithful.

Martyr John (1937):

Martyr John was a devout layman known for defending the Church when her clergy were silenced. He sheltered persecuted believers, safeguarded icons and liturgical books, and openly professed his faith. Arrested during the purges, he endured suffering with patience. His execution completed a life of simple but radiant devotion.

New Hieromartyr Archpriest Ismael (Rozhdestvensky) of Strelna (1938):

Archpriest Ismael was a pastor of deep prayer and gentle counsel. He openly opposed the atheistic campaign that sought to erase the Church from public life. Arrested and subjected to merciless interrogation, he refused to sign false confessions or condemn fellow clergy. He died as a confessor of truth, leaving behind a legacy of steadfast love.

New Hieromartyr Theodore (1940):

Father Theodore ministered secretly after his church was closed, traveling from home to home to offer the sacraments. Betrayed by informants, he was arrested and condemned without trial. His final words affirmed his trust that Christ would preserve His Church. His quiet martyrdom stands as a testament to pastoral devotion in the face of relentless persecution.

Translation of the relics of Saint Remigios of Rheims (533):

The translation of Saint Remigios’s relics became a moment of renewed grace for the Church in Gaul. The faithful gathered in immense crowds as his sacred remains were moved to a new shrine, and many miracles of healing occurred. The memory of the Apostle to the Franks, who had baptized King Clovis and converted a nation, was strengthened and revived, calling the people back to the fervor of their forefathers’ faith.

Repose of Hiero-Schemamonk Euthemius of Valaam (1829):

Father Euthemius lived as a hermit of great ascetic rigor in the wilderness of Valaam. His nights were spent in ceaseless prayer, and his days in silence, humility, and labor. Those who sought him found a man of profound quiet wisdom and radiant peace. At his repose, the brotherhood felt as though a pillar of prayer had been taken from the earth, and many miracles occurred at his grave.

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Lives of the Saints Celebrated on October 2

Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin-Martyr Justina, and Martyr Theoctistus of Nicomedia (ca. 304):

Hieromartyr Cyprian was a renowned magician and philosopher of the city of Nicomedia, initially devoted to pagan sorcery. However, through the steadfast faith and prayers of the Virgin-Martyr Justina, whom he sought to ensnare with his magic, Cyprian experienced a profound conversion to Christ. After embracing the Christian faith, Cyprian boldly renounced his former arts and was baptized. Together with Justina, who suffered persecution for her unwavering purity and confession of faith, he faced brutal torture under the Diocletian persecutions. Martyr Theoctistus, a witness and defender of their faith, was martyred alongside them. Their endurance in suffering and mutual encouragement glorified Christ, inspiring many to steadfastness. Their martyrdom stands as a powerful testimony to the victory of faith over sorcery and wickedness.

Blessed Andrew, Fool-for-Christ at Constantinople (10th century):

Blessed Andrew embraced the path of holy foolishness in the bustling city of Constantinople, choosing to hide his virtues beneath a mask of madness. Through his strange behavior, profound humility, and piercing prophetic words, he chastised the proud and comforted the lowly. His life was marked by ascetic struggles, often enduring cold, hunger, and mockery. Yet through his feigned madness, Andrew revealed divine truths that ordinary words could not convey. His presence was a living reminder that God’s wisdom often appears foolish to the world, and that humility and love are the highest forms of spiritual wisdom.

Saint Anna, Right-believing Princess of Kashin (late 14th century):

Saint Anna was a noble princess of the principality of Kashin, renowned for her devout life and loving care for the poor and sick. After the death of her husband, she took monastic vows and dedicated herself entirely to prayer and charity. Her life was a model of Christian virtues: patience in suffering, generosity to the needy, and fervent intercession for her people. Saint Anna was also known for her gifts of healing and prophecy. Even after her repose, many miracles were attributed to her intercession. She remains a beloved figure in Russian Orthodoxy, inspiring women to a life of faith and compassion.

Blessed Cyprian of Suzdal, Fool-for-Christ (16th century):

Blessed Cyprian chose the path of holy foolishness in Suzdal, disguising his holiness behind eccentric and seemingly irrational behavior. He mocked worldly vanity, exposed hypocrisy, and urged repentance in ways that often unsettled those around him. His life was a constant struggle against the temptations of pride and anger, and his humility was profound. Though many misunderstood him, others recognized his sanctity and sought his prayers and counsel. Blessed Cyprian’s life remains a powerful witness to the transforming power of humility and the hidden workings of God in the lives of His saints.

Saint Cassian, Monk of Uglich (15th century):

Saint Cassian was a monk of deep prayer and ascetic labor in the monastery of Uglich. Known for his silence and obedience, he spent many years in spiritual struggle, fasting, and vigil, seeking union with God. Despite his humility, he was endowed with the gifts of clairvoyance and healing, helping many who came to the monastery with physical and spiritual ailments. His life was marked by simplicity, charity, and unwavering faithfulness to monastic rule. After his repose, his memory was cherished as a source of inspiration for monks and laity alike.

Martyrs David and Constantine, Princes of Aragvet, Georgia (4th century):

Saints David and Constantine were noble princes of the region of Aragvet who embraced Christianity early in Georgia’s history. They zealously defended the faith against pagan opposition and suffered imprisonment and torture for their confession. Their martyrdom inspired the spread of Christianity in Georgia and strengthened the resolve of the faithful. Honored as royal martyrs, they are remembered for their courage, leadership, and unyielding devotion to Christ amid severe trials.