Saint Gregory the Theologian: Teacher of the Trinity and Bishop of Constantinople
Saint Gregory the Theologian was a fourth-century bishop, orator and poet who defended the divinity of the Son and the Holy Spirit and resigned from Constantinople for the sake of peace.
Blessed Hryhoriy Lakota: Bishop and Hieromartyr of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
Blessed Hryhoriy Lakota was a Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishop and scholar who refused Soviet pressure, died in the Abez labor camp in 1950, and was beatified in 2001.
Saint Luke of Crimea: Surgeon, Archbishop and Confessor
A professor of surgery who became a bishop, endured years of Soviet prison and exile, and kept treating the sick until he went blind.
Saint Nicholas of Japan: Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of Japan
A Russian missionary who learned Japanese, translated the Scriptures and the liturgy, and built the Orthodox Church in Japan through the Meiji era.
Saint Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions: Great Martyr of Sirmium
A Christian martyr of Sirmium, remembered in East and West, who is honored as a friend of prisoners and a healer of those harmed by poison.
Saint Alexis the Man of God: Voluntary Pauper of Edessa and Rome
The anonymous beggar of Edessa who became the beloved Alexis, and a legend of poverty and hidden love that traveled from Syria to Constantinople and Rome.
Saint Symeon the Fool of Emesa: Holy Fool and Ascetic of Syria
A desert ascetic who walked into a Syrian city as a fool so that no one would honor him, and whose Life shaped the whole tradition of holy foolishness.
Saint Thomas the Fool of Syria: Monk and Holy Fool of Antioch
A sixth-century monk who hid his holiness behind feigned foolishness, and whose burial was remembered in Antioch for generations.
Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ of Constantinople: Holy Fool and Seer of Blachernae
A Scythian-born servant of Constantinople who became a holy fool, and whose Life lies behind the feast of the Protection of the Theotokos.
Saint John the Hairy of Rostov: Fool for Christ and Ascetic
A sixteenth-century holy fool of Rostov the Great whose origins are unknown and who is traditionally said to have died in 1580.
Saint Maximus of Totma: Priest, Fool for Christ and Wonderworker
A Russian priest of the Totma region who lived as a holy fool and died in 1650; locally glorified in 1715.
Saint Nicholas Kochanov of Novgorod: Fool for Christ and Wonderworker
A medieval Novgorod holy fool, traditionally from a wealthy family, who gave up honor and died about 1392.
Saint Procopius of Vyatka: Fool for Christ and Wonderworker of Khlynov
A Russian lay ascetic who lived as a holy fool in Khlynov, now Kirov, and died in 1627.
Saint Parasceva of Diveyevo: Pasha of Sarov, Fool for Christ and Elder of Diveyevo
A former serf who became a wandering ascetic, a holy fool and a spiritual guide of the Diveyevo sisters, and who died in 1915.
Saint Abd el-Masih al-Manahry: Coptic Monk, Priest and Fool for Christ of Egypt
A twentieth-century Coptic monk and priest who lived in poverty at El-Manahra and died on Easter Sunday, 1963.
Saint John of Ustiug: Fool for Christ and Wonderworker of Veliky Ustyug
Saint John of Ustiug was a young Russian fool for Christ of Veliky Ustyug who lived in poverty and prayer and died in 1494. Read what is documented about him and what is tradition.
Saint Jovan Vladimir: Prince and Martyr of Duklja, Known in Albania as Shen Gjon Vladimiri
Saint Jovan Vladimir was a Christian prince of Duklja, killed by treachery in 1016 and honored as a martyr in Albania and the western Balkans. Read what is documented about him and what is tradition.
Blessed Maria Tuci: Albanian Teacher, Catechist and Virgin Martyr of 1950
Blessed Maria Tuci was a young Albanian teacher and catechist who died in 1950 after imprisonment under the communist regime and was beatified in 2016. Read what is documented about her and what is tradition.
Blessed Lazer Shantoja: Albanian Priest, Poet and Martyr of 1945
Blessed Lazer Shantoja was an Albanian priest, poet and translator, executed by the communist authorities in 1945 and beatified in 2016. Read what is documented about him and what is tradition.
Saint Astius of Durres: Bishop and Martyr of Dyrrachium, Known in Albania as Shen Asti
Saint Astius of Durres was an early bishop and martyr of Dyrrachium in Albania, honored as Shen Asti. Read what is documented about him and what is tradition.