Saint Feofil of Kiev: The Holy Fool of the Kyiv Caves and the Kitaiv Hermitage
A biography of Saint Feofil of Kiev, the nineteenth century hieroschemamonk and fool for Christ of the Kyiv Caves and Kitaiv Hermitage, with what is documented and what is tradition.
Saint Isidora of Tabenna: The Fool for Christ Who Hid Her Holiness in the Convent Kitchen
A biography of Saint Isidora of Tabenna, the Egyptian nun remembered as a fool for Christ, with the story of the hermit Piteroum and a clear account of what is documented and what is tradition.
Saint Justina of Antioch: The Steadfast Virgin Martyr of Nicomedia Who Resisted Sorcery Through Prayer
A careful biography of Saint Justina of Antioch, the virgin martyr of Nicomedia who resisted sorcery through prayer, with an honest look at the sources and her feast on October 2.
Saint Cyprian of Antioch: The Legendary Sorcerer Who Became a Christian Martyr Beside Saint Justina
A careful biography of Saint Cyprian of Antioch, the legendary sorcerer said to have repented through Saint Justina and died a martyr, with an honest look at the sources.
Saint Gerasimos of Cephalonia: Noble Pilgrim, Founder of the Omala Monastery and Patron Saint of the Island
A biography of Saint Gerasimos of Cephalonia, the sixteenth century monk who traveled to Athos and Jerusalem and founded the Omala monastery on the island of Cephalonia.
Saint Naum of Ohrid: Disciple of Cyril and Methodius, Enlightener of the Slavs and Healer of Lake Ohrid
A biography of Saint Naum of Ohrid, disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who carried Slavonic learning from Moravia to Bulgaria and founded the monastery on Lake Ohrid.
Saint John of God: The Portuguese Soldier and Shepherd Who Became Founder of the Hospitaller Brothers
A biography of Saint John of God, the Portuguese-born founder of the Hospitaller Brothers, covering his youth, conversion at Granada in 1539, his care of the sick, his death in 1550, his canonization in 1690 and what is documented and what is tradition.
Saint Hermolaus of Nicomedia: The Priest and Martyr Who Taught Saint Panteleimon
A biography of Saint Hermolaus of Nicomedia, the priest and martyr traditionally honored as the teacher of Saint Panteleimon, with the documented persecution kept apart from the traditions about his life, his feast on July 26 and the relic at Calci.
Saint Job the Much-Suffering: The Righteous Man of Uz and Icon of Patient Faith Through Loss
A biography of Saint Job the Much-Suffering, covering what the Book of Job says, what later tradition adds about his family and lifespan, the question of whether he was a historical person, his feast days and his place in Holy Week and Christian devotion.
Saint Luke the Evangelist: Physician, Companion of Paul and Traditional Author of the Third Gospel and Acts
A biography of Saint Luke the Evangelist, covering what the New Testament and the early Church say about the physician and companion of Paul, the authorship of Luke and Acts, the traditions about his icons and death, and the relics at Padua, Thebes and Prague.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori: The Neapolitan Lawyer Who Became Bishop, Founder of the Redemptorists and Doctor of the Church
A biography of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the Neapolitan lawyer who became a priest, founded the Redemptorists, served as bishop of Sant’Agata de’ Goti and was named a Doctor of the Church, with documented history kept apart from tradition.
Saint Stylianos of Paphlagonia: The Hermit Honored as Protector of Children
A biography of Saint Stylianos of Paphlagonia, the hermit venerated as protector of children, covering what the sources say, what is tradition, his confusion with Saint Alypius the Stylite, his feast on November 26 and his hymns and relics.
Saint Juliana Falconieri: The Florentine Servite Woman Remembered as Mother of the Mantellate
Saint Juliana Falconieri: the Florentine Servite woman, what is documented and what is tradition, the Mantellate, her canonization in 1737 and the story of the Host at her death.
Saint Ezekiel Moreno: The Augustinian Recollect Missionary Bishop of Pasto and Patron of Cancer Patients
Saint Ezekiel Moreno: the Augustinian Recollect missionary and Bishop of Pasto, his canonization in 1992, his controversial politics and why cancer patients invoke him.
Saints Cosmas and Damian: The Unmercenary Physician Brothers Who Healed Without Payment
Saints Cosmas and Damian: the physician brothers who healed without payment, the three Byzantine pairs, what the evidence shows and the Roman and Eastern feasts.
Saint Charalambos: The Aged Priest-Martyr of Magnesia and Protector Against Plague
Saint Charalambos: the priest and martyr of Magnesia, what is documented and what is tradition, the priest or bishop question and why he is invoked against plague.
Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg: The Fool for Christ Who Walked the City in Her Husband’s Clothes
Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg: the widow who became a fool for Christ, her disputed dates, her grave at Smolensk Cemetery and why people still ask her prayers.
Evagrius Ponticus: The Desert Monk Who Mapped the Eight Thoughts and the Road to Prayer
Biography of Evagrius Ponticus, the fourth century desert monk and spiritual writer, with his teaching on the eight thoughts and prayer, the Origenist controversy, his disputed status and what Eastern and Western Christians can learn from him.
Saint Moses the Ethiopian: From Robber Chief to Desert Father of Mercy and Humility
Biography of Saint Moses the Ethiopian, also called Moses the Black, the desert father of Scetis, with the accounts of Palladius and Sozomen, his sayings, his martyrdom tradition and his place in Eastern and Western devotion.
Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder: The Pillar Saint of Syria Who Prayed Above the Crowds
Biography of Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder, the fifth century pillar saint of Syria, with the account of Theodoret, the pillar years, his teaching, his death in 459 and his place in Eastern and Western devotion.