The Desert Fathers were early Christian hermits, ascetics and monks who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD.  The most well known was Anthony the Great, who moved to the desert in AD 270–271 and became known as both the father and founder of desert monasticism. Sometime around AD 270, Anthony... Read More »

  St Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words... Read More »

  Today commemorates the eve (paregentan) of the Fast of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis. The five day fast, Monday to Friday, leads us to the Feast of St. James, which is next Saturday. Traditionally the entire fifty day period of Advent was a period of fasting, similar to Great Lent. In modern times, three... Read More »

  Pontiff St. James (Soorp Hagop) of Nisibis is one of the authoritative and beloved saints of the Universal Church. He has deserved the epithet “Thaumaturge” (Wonderworker) for the numerous miracles relating to his name. St. James (known as Hagop in Armenian), was a signatory at the Council of Nicaea in 325, which devised the... Read More »

  Commemoration of St Abgar, First Martyr of the Church and our first King believing in Christ According to Armenian tradition, St Abgar was the first Christian king of the 1st century, the son of the Parthian king Arshakunie Arsham. He was also called “senior man” as he was the wisest of all and a... Read More »

  Commemoration of the Prophet St David and Apostle St James, brother of Jesus The Prophet St David was the great grandson of Boaz and Ruth. The Holy Bible depicts him as a psalmist, gifted, wise, handsome man and orator. He was a shepherd. During the battle against Philistines he killed the giant Goliath. After... Read More »

  Commemoration of St Stephen the Protomartyr St Stephen, is known as the “Protomartyr,” the first Christian to die for their belief in Jesus Christ. St Stephen was the first Deacon who was ordained to serve at the Eucharistic meal. Full of grace and the power of God, St Stephen performed wonders and miracles that... Read More »

  St. Peter was one of the 12 apostles of Christ. He was the brother of Andrew. He was one of the beloved apostles of Jesus and the witness of Our Lord’s Transfiguration and the other important events related to Jesus. Peter was a fisherman. His name given during the circumcision was Shmavon, or Simon... Read More »

  St James was the son of the fisherman Zebedee, the senior brother of the Evangelist St John. He was one of the closest and most reliable disciples of Jesus and the witness of the important events related to Jesus. When Samaritans refused to receive Christ, James and his brother asked Jesus to send fire... Read More »

  Eve of the Fast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Fast of Christmas) The Eve of the Fast of Christmas is always celebrated on December 29, that is seven (7) days before the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas). The Fast of Christmas ends... Read More »