u/IrinaSophia

These bold and holy martyrs of the Christian faith were, at one time, officers at the impartial court, in the reign of Maximian. This impious emperor appreciated them particularly for their bravery, wisdom, and loyalty to his person. But when he was told that his two noble courtiers were Christians, his favour tuned to rage. On the occasion of some pagan feast, the emperor asked Sergius and Bacchus to offer the sacrifice to the idols together. They refused, publically, to obey him. Mad with fury, he ordered that they be stripped of their military uniforms, belts, rings and insignia and that that they be dressed in women’s clothes. Then they had iron rings passed around their necks and were paraded through the streets of Rome, to be mocked by the people. Then they were sent to the eparch in Asia, Antiochus, to be tortured.

But Antiochus had attained his office with the assistance of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, who had once introduced him to the emperor. He begged them to renounce Christ, in order to escape torture and an ignoble death. They answered: “Honour and dishonour, life and death, are all the same, fleeting and perishable, to anyone seeking the Kingdom of Heaven."

Antiochus cast Sergius into prison and ordered Bacchus to be tortured first. The torturers took turns to beat him mercilessly, until his body was separated into its constituent parts. Bacchus’ holy soul departed from his fragmented and bloodstained body and, in the hands of the angels, was borne to the Lord. Saint Bacchus was martyred in the city of Barbalissos in Syria.

Thereafter the executioners dragged out Saint Sergius and forced him to walk on iron pattens in which sharp nails had been embedded. In this way he walked as far as the town of Resafa in Syria, where they cut off his head. His soul, however, went to Paradise, where, together with his friend Bacchus, he received the crown of eternal glory from Christ, the King and Lord.

SOURCE: https://pemptousia.com/2013/10/the-holy-martyrs-sergius-and-bacchus-7-october/

The Icon “O All-Hymned Mother” derives its title from the thirteenth Kontakion of the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos. “O All-Hymned Mother who bore the Word, holiest of all the saints....”

The Mother of God wears a crown, and clasps Her child to Her breast with both hands. Christ is held in Her left arm, and rests on Her left shoulder. He is facing Her, and both of His hands are placed below Her neck.

Instead of the usual stars on Her head and shoulders, the faces of angels appear in three circles. This is similar to the Arabian Icon (September 6) and the “Stone of the Mountain not cut by Hands” Icon on the iconostasis of the cathedral of the Transfiguration at Solovki.

SOURCE: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/10/06/102887-o-all-hymned-mother-icon-of-the-mother-of-god

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior.

According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).

On the eighth day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. “My Lord and my God,” the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.”

Some icons depicting this event are inscribed “The Doubting Thomas.” This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, “The Touching of Thomas.” In Slavonic, it says, “The Belief of Thomas.” When Saint Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts.

According to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. Preaching the Gospel earned him a martyr’s death. For having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur [Melipur], the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. Part of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in India, in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. The name of the Apostle Thomas is associated with the Arabian (or Arapet) Icon of the Mother of God (September 6).

SOURCE: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/10/06/102885-holy-glorious-apostle-thomas

Born by pious parents on November 10th 1861 at Kimolos, she was the third child from the eight in her family. She was baptized Irene and from a very young age she stood out by her piety, modesty and love towards the Church.

Within the pious environment of her island and a family devoted to Christ, as she grew up so did her faith and religious fervency. She longed and waited for the proper time to devote herself completely to God and the Church.

However, since she was at an age “suitable for marriage” her parents decided to marry her; she submitted to their will and married a seaman from Chios.

Some time after the marriage the husband of the young woman shipwrecked and drowned at the shores of Asia Minor and then Irene felt that this was the time of divine calling for her.

When she confessed her wish to the priest who was her spiritual advisor, he encouraged her in realization her aim. After proper preparation she was ordained a nun, by the then archbishop of Siros Methodios and took the name Methodia. This event filled Methodia with infinite joy since her deepest wish was fulfilled. From then on she passed her life following faithfully and with great dedication the rules of monasticism, staying in her solitary cell, at “Stiadi”, at the uninhabited Inner Castle of Kimolos, next to the Sacred Church of the Birth of the Lord, which is dated from 1592.

This solitary cell was a true “confinement” where Methodia led an ascetic life with deep faith and enthusiastic perseverance and in spite of the fact that she didn’t live in a monastery she kept the monastic rules diligently and religiously. Her faith and prayers, fasting, vigil, study and her charity transformed her small cell into a holy place which was literally and metaphorically sweet-scented.

From the site of her confinement Methodia seldom left, only to watch the Mass and receive Holy Communion or when it was great need and she wanted to assist someone who was in need. Her confinement was absolute during the period of the Lent and then she accepted to listen and give advice to women who were in great need and with whom she communicated through a small window, the only one in her cell, without opening her door. However, the rest of the time her cell was a true sacred school not only for the women of Kimolos but also for women who came from other islands having learned about the Saint in order to benefit spiritually from her teaching, to find relief from the sufferings of life and to draw from her inexhaustible source of faith, courage and will, love, perseverance and heart. She had dedicated students who transferred to their families the “dew and the medicament” which sprung from the sacred site and we can argue, with no hint of exaggeration that she influenced the life of all her compatriots.

Strict fasting, vigilance, prayer, tears, study, humility, charity enabled Methodia to become a “healer through Christ” receiving the grace to perform miracles. Miracles that are testified by her compatriots but also miracles that took place and continue to take place even today to those who invoke her help with clear heart and faith.

At an age of 47 and after a brief illness the “Christ Bearing” Saint Methodia passed away on October 5th 1908, while it was generally believed by her compatriots that God placed her amongst His Saints. In their mind she was a saint and that was obvious in the fact that on August 15th 1946 they composed and signed a confession by which they recognized the saint as “patron saint and guardian of the island and great benefactor of them all”.

In 1962 in the place of her ruined cell a small church was built, honored under the name of Virgin the Merciful Methodia. They transferred her holy remains from the church of Agios Spiridonas, where they were kept since then, and placed in a crypt within the church. On October 5th 1991, a day of the event for her official declaration as a Saint, her remains were transferred again to the Sacred Church of Panagia Odigitria and they are still kept there, at the holy pilgrimage to every faithful Christian.

They called her an unsleeping vigil candle, the pride and guardian of Kimolos, inspired by God and valuable vessel of God-send virtues, luminescent lamp and brilliant glory of Cyclades. Innumerable are the epithets with which the admiration of the pious Christians adorned the humble peasant girl who felt the Lord’s calling from a very early age and responded with all the might of her soul. In the last two centuries Cyclades gave four holy figures to our Church: Saint Nikodemos Agioritis from Naxos, Saint Arsenios from Paros, Saint Pelagia from tinos and Saint Methodia in the 20th century from Kimolos. Her official sanctification took place by the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the Act 499 on July 17th 1991.

Her memory is celebrated on October 5th.

SOURCE: https://www.kimolos.gr/index.php?option=com\\\_content&view=article&id=41:2008-12-10-17-18-28&catid=10:2008-09-16-21-57-38&Itemid=114&lang=en

Born by pious parents on November 10th 1861 at Kimolos, she was the third child from the eight in her family. She was baptized Irene and from a very young age she stood out by her piety, modesty and love towards the Church.

Within the pious environment of her island and a family devoted to Christ, as she grew up so did her faith and religious fervency. She longed and waited for the proper time to devote herself completely to God and the Church.

However, since she was at an age “suitable for marriage” her parents decided to marry her; she submitted to their will and married a seaman from Chios.

Some time after the marriage the husband of the young woman shipwrecked and drowned at the shores of Asia Minor and then Irene felt that this was the time of divine calling for her.

When she confessed her wish to the priest who was her spiritual advisor, he encouraged her in realization her aim. After proper preparation she was ordained a nun, by the then archbishop of Siros Methodios and took the name Methodia. This event filled Methodia with infinite joy since her deepest wish was fulfilled. From then on she passed her life following faithfully and with great dedication the rules of monasticism, staying in her solitary cell, at “Stiadi”, at the uninhabited Inner Castle of Kimolos, next to the Sacred Church of the Birth of the Lord, which is dated from 1592.

This solitary cell was a true “confinement” where Methodia led an ascetic life with deep faith and enthusiastic perseverance and in spite of the fact that she didn’t live in a monastery she kept the monastic rules diligently and religiously. Her faith and prayers, fasting, vigil, study and her charity transformed her small cell into a holy place which was literally and metaphorically sweet-scented.

From the site of her confinement Methodia seldom left, only to watch the Mass and receive Holy Communion or when it was great need and she wanted to assist someone who was in need. Her confinement was absolute during the period of the Lent and then she accepted to listen and give advice to women who were in great need and with whom she communicated through a small window, the only one in her cell, without opening her door. However, the rest of the time her cell was a true sacred school not only for the women of Kimolos but also for women who came from other islands having learned about the Saint in order to benefit spiritually from her teaching, to find relief from the sufferings of life and to draw from her inexhaustible source of faith, courage and will, love, perseverance and heart. She had dedicated students who transferred to their families the “dew and the medicament” which sprung from the sacred site and we can argue, with no hint of exaggeration that she influenced the life of all her compatriots.

Strict fasting, vigilance, prayer, tears, study, humility, charity enabled Methodia to become a “healer through Christ” receiving the grace to perform miracles. Miracles that are testified by her compatriots but also miracles that took place and continue to take place even today to those who invoke her help with clear heart and faith.

At an age of 47 and after a brief illness the “Christ Bearing” Saint Methodia passed away on October 5th 1908, while it was generally believed by her compatriots that God placed her amongst His Saints. In their mind she was a saint and that was obvious in the fact that on August 15th 1946 they composed and signed a confession by which they recognized the saint as “patron saint and guardian of the island and great benefactor of them all”.

In 1962 in the place of her ruined cell a small church was built, honored under the name of Virgin the Merciful Methodia. They transferred her holy remains from the church of Agios Spiridonas, where they were kept since then, and placed in a crypt within the church. On October 5th 1991, a day of the event for her official declaration as a Saint, her remains were transferred again to the Sacred Church of Panagia Odigitria and they are still kept there, at the holy pilgrimage to every faithful Christian.

They called her an unsleeping vigil candle, the pride and guardian of Kimolos, inspired by God and valuable vessel of God-send virtues, luminescent lamp and brilliant glory of Cyclades. Innumerable are the epithets with which the admiration of the pious Christians adorned the humble peasant girl who felt the Lord’s calling from a very early age and responded with all the might of her soul. In the last two centuries Cyclades gave four holy figures to our Church: Saint Nikodemos Agioritis from Naxos, Saint Arsenios from Paros, Saint Pelagia from tinos and Saint Methodia in the 20th century from Kimolos. Her official sanctification took place by the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the Act 499 on July 17th 1991.

Her memory is celebrated on October 5th.

SOURCE: https://www.kimolos.gr/index.php?option=com\_content&view=article&id=41:2008-12-10-17-18-28&catid=10:2008-09-16-21-57-38&Itemid=114&lang=en

Saint Charitina was from Amisus in Pontus and lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Orphaned at a young age, she became the servant of a noble Roman Christian named Claudianus, or Claudius, who brought her up as his own daughter. The young girl was very pretty, sensible, and kind. She imparted her love for Christ to others, and brought many to the path of salvation. Saint Charitina was meek, humble, obedient and silent. Although she was not yet baptized, she was a Christian at heart. She studied the Law of God day and night, and vowed to preserve her virginity as a true bride of Christ.

Because Saint Charitina brought many others to the Christian Faith, Dometius, one of Emperor Diocletian's governors, came to hear of her and sent a letter to Claudius, ordering him to send Charitina to him so that he might question her. Claudius had no doubts about the result of this interrogation. Grieved at the prospect of losing her, he put on sackcloth and wept bitter tears. Charitina comforted him, saying: "Do not grieve, my Master, but rejoice, for I am to become an acceptable sacrifice to God, for my sins and for yours."

Claudius replied: "O Servant of God, remember me when you stand before the heavenly King in the ranks of the Holy Martyrs."

The Saint was brought before a judge at the tribunal. He asked her: "Is it true that you are a Christian, and that you delude others by bringing them to your impious faith?"

Charitina replied: "It is true that I am a Christian, but it is a lie that I delude others. On the contrary, I lead them from deception to the path of truth, bringing them to my Christ."

Then the judge ordered her hair to be cut off, but by the power of God, her hair grew back even longer than before. Then burning coals were placed on her head, and vinegar was poured over her scorched flesh, increasing her pain. They drove flaming sticks through her breasts, and burnt her sides with candles. Finally, they tied a stone around her neck and threw her into the sea. She cried out: "This is my Baptism." Suddenly, the stone was loosened and sank, and God delivered her from the sea unharmed.

When the judge saw her on the shore, he ordered his men to seize her and strip her naked, and then tie her to a wheel which turned over burning coals, but an Angel of God stopped the wheel and once again Saint Charitina remained unharmed. The judge became furious and ordered that the nails of her hands and her feet be torn out, and that all her teeth be broken.

Then the wicked judge sent many dissolute men to rape her. Fearing this dishonor, Saint Charitina prayed that God would receive her soul before these vile men could defile her virginal body; and so, as she prayed, she surrendered her pure soul to God.

When the judge saw that she was dead, he had her body placed in a sack weighted with stones, and tossed it into the sea. By Divine Providence, her body was brought to the shore three days later. Her master Claudius found her body and buried her with appropriate honor and reverence.

Fragments of Saint Charitina's Holy Relics are found in the Monasteries of Kykkos, Cyprus, and Jerusalem of Boeotia.

SOURCE: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/1995/10/05/102870-martyr-charitina-of-amisos

Saint Charitina was from Amisus in Pontus and lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). Orphaned at a young age, she became the servant of a noble Roman Christian named Claudianus, or Claudius, who brought her up as his own daughter. The young girl was very pretty, sensible, and kind. She imparted her love for Christ to others, and brought many to the path of salvation. Saint Charitina was meek, humble, obedient and silent. Although she was not yet baptized, she was a Christian at heart. She studied the Law of God day and night, and vowed to preserve her virginity as a true bride of Christ.

Because Saint Charitina brought many others to the Christian Faith, Dometius, one of Emperor Diocletian's governors, came to hear of her and sent a letter to Claudius, ordering him to send Charitina to him so that he might question her. Claudius had no doubts about the result of this interrogation. Grieved at the prospect of losing her, he put on sackcloth and wept bitter tears. Charitina comforted him, saying: "Do not grieve, my Master, but rejoice, for I am to become an acceptable sacrifice to God, for my sins and for yours."

Claudius replied: "O Servant of God, remember me when you stand before the heavenly King in the ranks of the Holy Martyrs."

The Saint was brought before a judge at the tribunal. He asked her: "Is it true that you are a Christian, and that you delude others by bringing them to your impious faith?"

Charitina replied: "It is true that I am a Christian, but it is a lie that I delude others. On the contrary, I lead them from deception to the path of truth, bringing them to my Christ."

Then the judge ordered her hair to be cut off, but by the power of God, her hair grew back even longer than before. Then burning coals were placed on her head, and vinegar was poured over her scorched flesh, increasing her pain. They drove flaming sticks through her breasts, and burnt her sides with candles. Finally, they tied a stone around her neck and threw her into the sea. She cried out: "This is my Baptism." Suddenly, the stone was loosened and sank, and God delivered her from the sea unharmed.

When the judge saw her on the shore, he ordered his men to seize her and strip her naked, and then tie her to a wheel which turned over burning coals, but an Angel of God stopped the wheel and once again Saint Charitina remained unharmed. The judge became furious and ordered that the nails of her hands and her feet be torn out, and that all her teeth be broken.

Then the wicked judge sent many dissolute men to rape her. Fearing this dishonor, Saint Charitina prayed that God would receive her soul before these vile men could defile her virginal body; and so, as she prayed, she surrendered her pure soul to God.

When the judge saw that she was dead, he had her body placed in a sack weighted with stones, and tossed it into the sea. By Divine Providence, her body was brought to the shore three days later. Her master Claudius found her body and buried her with appropriate honor and reverence.

Fragments of Saint Charitina's Holy Relics are found in the Monasteries of Kykkos, Cyprus, and Jerusalem of Boeotia.

SOURCE: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/1995/10/05/102870-martyr-charitina-of-amisos

Saint Gregory was from the city of Galich, born to noble and pious nobles, the Lopotovs. He rejected the vanity of the world and came to the Zheltovodsky Monastery to the igumen Macarius, where he took monastic vows and became a priest. Later, he was appointed igumen of the Mother of God Birth Monastery. Avoiding human glory, he left the igumenate and withdrew into the wilderness, where he lived in labor and prayer. The saint was known for his ability to reconcile those in conflict, and he reproached Prince Dmitry for the suffering inflicted upon the townspeople. After many years of a God-pleasing life, sensing his death, he called the brethren, gave them instructions, and requested not to honor him after death, but simply to drag his body into the swamp. Saint Gregory reposed on September 30, 1441, and now stands before the throne of God, praying for us sinners.

SOURCE: https://athos.guide/en/axios/grigoriy-pelshemskiy?srsltid=AU7gw4UkQgH21MPtF\_mz48hNDuMmzT4fBqzHsUfF60S6RHr0\_UV2DsGm#gsc.tab=0

Saint Gregory was from the city of Galich, born to noble and pious nobles, the Lopotovs. He rejected the vanity of the world and came to the Zheltovodsky Monastery to the igumen Macarius, where he took monastic vows and became a priest. Later, he was appointed igumen of the Mother of God Birth Monastery. Avoiding human glory, he left the igumenate and withdrew into the wilderness, where he lived in labor and prayer. The saint was known for his ability to reconcile those in conflict, and he reproached Prince Dmitry for the suffering inflicted upon the townspeople. After many years of a God-pleasing life, sensing his death, he called the brethren, gave them instructions, and requested not to honor him after death, but simply to drag his body into the swamp. Saint Gregory reposed on September 30, 1441, and now stands before the throne of God, praying for us sinners.

SOURCE: https://athos.guide/en/axios/grigoriy-pelshemskiy?srsltid=AU7gw4UkQgH21MPtF\_mz48hNDuMmzT4fBqzHsUfF60S6RHr0\_UV2DsGm#gsc.tab=0

The Hieromartyr Gregory, Enlightener of Greater Armenia, was born in the year 257. He was descended from a line of Parthian Arsakid kings. Anak, the father of Saint Gregory, was a Parthian by birth. In his quest for the Armenian throne, Anak and his brother attacked their kinsman, King Kursar with their swords, leaving him mortally wounded. The King's servants found him still alive, and he was able to tell them what had happened. Before he expired, the King ordered the execution of Anak, his brother, and also their wives and children. The murderers were caught by a river, where they were slain and their bodies were thrown into the water.

One of Anak's relatives saved Gregory and his brother, who were infants, and hid them in his home. There was a revolt in Armenia, and King Artasirus of Persia was able to conquer Armenia and bring it under his rule. As for Arak's sons: one was taken to Persia, and Gregory was sent to the Roman Empire.

When he reached adulthood, Gregory lived in Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was converted to the Christian Faith. Gregory married, and had two sons, but soon was left a widower. Gregory raised his sons in piety. One of them, Orthanes, later became a priest, and the other, Arostanes, was tonsured as a monk and went into the wilderness to live in solitude.

In order to atone for the sin of his father, who had murdered the father of Tiridates, Gregory entered into the latter's service, and was a faithful servant to him. Tiridates, who was serving in the Roman army, loved Gregory like a friend, but when he learned that Gregory was a Christian, he became angry. Saint Gregory, however, ignored his master's unjust wrath.

When the Goths attacked the Roman Empire, the Prince of the Goths challenged the Emperor to single combat. The Emperor was afraid to fight the Prince, so he had Tiridates put on his armor and take his place. Tiridates defeated his adversary without using his sword, and led him as a captive to the Emperor. Then the entire Gothic army was defeated. In gratitude, the Emperor made Tiridates King of Armenia. When Tiridates offered sacrifice to his "gods" for his new position, he wanted Gregory to sacrifice with him. Gregory refused, and so Tiridates ordered that he be tortured.

The Saint was suspended head downward, with a stone about his neck, and for several days they choked him with a foul-smelling smoke, they beat and ridiculed him, and forced him to walk in iron sandals inset with nails.

During these torments, Saint Gregory sang Psalms. In prison the Lord healed all his wounds. When Gregory stood before the King cheerful and unharmed, he was astonished and ordered that the torments be repeated. Saint Gregory endured them, not wavering, with his former determination and bearing. They then poured hot tin over him and threw him into a pit filled with snakes, scorpions, and other poisonous creatures. The Lord, however, spared His chosen one, and he was left unharmed.

Some pious women kept him alive for fourteen years by feeding him with bread, secretly lowering it into the pit. A holy angel appeared to the martyr, strengthening and encouraging him. During this time King Tiridates killed the holy virgin Saint Ripsimia (Ριψιμία, or Ριψίμη), the Eldress Gaiane (Γαϊανή), and 32 other Virgin Martyrs (some sources say 35) from Asia Minor. Tiridates, who seemed to have lost his mind after this, recovered six days later. Then the wrath of God struck King Tiridates, his associates, and the soldiers who had participated in the execution of the virgins. Beset by demons, their appearance resembled wild boars, as once happened to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30). Running through forests and fields, they tore their clothes and devoured their own flesh.

Saint Gregory was taken from from the pit, and then he was washed, dressed in clean clothes, and fed. Then he was led to the King. Everyone bowed before him, begging him to ask God to heal the King as well as the others responsible for killing the Holy Virgin Martyrs. First, the Saint asked about their relics, which remained unburied for nine days. Saint Gregory buried the bodies, and then began preaching to the people, urging them to turn away from the darkness of idolatry and toward Christ. The people came to believe in Christ, and wanted to build a large church. When it was completed, Saint Gregory had the relics of the holy nuns brought into it. Then he led King Tiridates to the church before the bodies of the Saints whom he had slain, so that they might pray to Christ for him. He repented, and at once his face was restored to its original appearance once more.

Soon all of Armenia was converted to Christ. The temples of the idols were destroyed, and churches for the worship of the only true God were built. Saint Gregory ordained priests, established schools, founded monasteries, and provided for the good order of the Church.

After this, Saint Gregory went into the wilderness, where he ended his earthly life in a manner pleasing to the Lord. His son Aristanes was made a bishop in Cappadocia, and was one of the 318 Holy Fathers of the Council of Nicea.

SOURCE: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2018/09/30/102818-hieromartyr-gregory-bishop-of-greater-armenia-equal-of-the-apost