African Saints (from the Prolouge of Ohrid): May 27th:  Theodora and Didymus the Soldier (304) Theodora was a virgin in a noble family.  She was found to be a Christian and sent to a brothel to be violated by soldiers.  An answer to her fervent prayers to God, Didymus was the first soldier to enter … More Dispatch from the Desert:  May 25th thru 31st

African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid):  May 19th:  Acoluthus (284-305) Martyred in Hermopolis, Egypt May 20th:  Asclas (287) Martyred in Antinoe, Egypt with Leonides.  Their tormentor, Arrian repented later and proclaimed Jesus before his fellow pagans and was executed. Thalassius the Myrrh-gusher of Libya (ca. 668) May 21:  Hieromartyr Secundus and those with him … More Dispatch from the Desert:  May 18th thru 24th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid):   May 12:  Polybius of Cyprus (5th century)  Bishop of Rinokyr in Egypt. May 14:  Serapion the Sindonite (5th century) This Egyptian monk wore nothing but a linen cloth, or a “sindon.”  He had even given this away and his copy of the Gospels to help others in need.  Serapion … More Dispatch from the Desert:  May 11th thru 17th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid): May 8th:  Arsenius the Great (448) – One of the most revered of the Desert Fathers.  Arsenius was a Roman born into an aristocratic family and rose to the rank of Senator.  He became a deacon and briefly served in a large church in that city.  He renounced the world … More Dispatch from the Desert:  May 4th thru 10th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid)  April 29th:  John Tolaius, Patriarch of Alexandria (482) – He was sent to Constantinople to request that the Alexandrian Patriarchate be allowed to elect their own Archbishop.  The Emperor Zenon permitted this under the condition that John would not be the elected one.  Returning to Alexandria, John broke … More Dispatch from the Desert:  April 27th thru May 3rd

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid) April 20th:  Athanasius of Mount Sinai (685)  Succeeded John Climacus as Abbot of the Mt. Sinai Monastery.  Known as an instructor against heretical teaching. April 22nd:  Leonidas of Alexandria (202)  The father of Origen.  His son encouraged him being martyred, “Father, do not concern yourself over us and … More Dispatch from the Desert:  April 20th thru 26th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid) April 13th:  Thomias of Alexandria (476)  Murdered by her vile father-in-law that sought to seduce her.  He was caught  in the room he killed her in.  From that time, she assist those who have adulterous temptations. A Word from the Fathers & Mothers “The devil has no need … More Dispatch from the Desert:  April 13th thru 19th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid) April 7th:  Serapion the Sidonite, Egyptian Monk (5th century) – Four lessons in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers are attributed to him. April 10th:  Martyrs Terence, Africanus, Maximus, Pompeius and 36 others in Carthage (250) – Despite horrible tortures, they refused to worship the Roman idols. April … More Dispatch from the Desert:  April 6th thru 12th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid): March 30th:  John Climacus (649) – He is also venerated on the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent.  John came to the Sinai Peninsula  at the age of 16 and was a recluse for many years.  At 80, he became the Abbot of the Sinai Monastery where he wrote … More Dispatch from the Desert:  March 30th thru April 5th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid): March 24th:  Zacharias the Recluse of Egypt (4th century) – The son of Abba Carion.  Though younger than most other Desert Fathers, Zacharias was honored for his wisdom.  Five of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers are attributed to him. March 26th:  Subdeacon Eutychius of Alexandria (356) March … More Dispatch from the Desert:  March 23 thru 29