ela Our Holy Mother Pelagia (461) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-10-04T00:13:54+00:00 "This Saint was a prominent actress of the city of Antioch, and a pagan, who lived a life of unrestrained prodigality and led many to perdition. Instructed and baptized by a certain bishop named Nonnus (November 10), she departed to the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where she lived as a recluse, feigning to be a eunuch called Pelagius. She lived in such holiness and repentance that within three or four years she was deemed worthy to repose in an odour of sanctity, in the middle of the fifth century. Her tomb on the Mount of Olives has been a place of pilgrimage ever since." (Great Horologion). The Prologue adds that Pelagia had accumulated a large fortune as a courtesan, all of which she gave away to the poor upon her conversion. Full Article
ela Our Holy Mother Melania the Younger of Rome (439) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-12-30T22:45:56+00:00 She was born in 383 in Rome, to a very wealthy family with large estates in Italy, Africa, Spain and even Britain. She was the grand- daughter of St Melania the Elder (June 8) and a pious disciple of Christ from a young age. She was married against her will at the age of fourteen, to a relative named Apinianus. They had two children, both of whom died in early childhood. Henceforth Melania and her husband dedicated themselves entirely to God. They had both dreamed of a high wall that they would have to climb before they could pass through the narrow gate that leads to life, and soon began to take measures to dispose of their wealth. This aroused opposition from some of the Senate, who were concerned that the selling off of such huge holdings would disrupt the economy of the State itself. With the support of the Empress, though, Melania was able to free 8000 of her slaves and give each a gift of three gold pieces to begin life as freedmen. She employed agents to help fund the establishment of churches and monasteries throughout the Empire, donated many estates to the Church, and sold many more, giving the proceeds as alms. When Rome fell to the Goths under Alaric in 410, Melania and Apinianus moved to Sicily, then to Africa, where they completed the sale of their propery, donating the proceeds to monasteries and to aiding victims of the barbarians. In Africa Melania, now aged about thirty, took up a life of the strictest asceticism: she kept a total fast on weekdays, only eating on Saturday and Sunday; she slept two hours a night, giving the rest of the night to vigil and prayer. Her days were spent in charitable works, using the remainder of her wealth to relieve the poor and benefit the Church. After seven years in Africa, Melania, her mother and her husband left on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There they founded a monastery on the Mount of Olives, which grew to a community of ninety nuns. Melania's mother died in 431, then her husband and spiritual brother Apinianus ; she buried them side by side. Save for one visit to Constantinople, Melania continued to live in reclusion in a small cave on the Mount of Olives; she became an advisor to the Empress Eudocia, who sought her expert counsel on her gifts to churches and monasteries. Melania fell ill keeping the Vigil of Nativity in 439, and fell asleep in the Lord six days later; her last words were 'As it has pleased the Lord, so it has come to pass.' Her monastery was destroyed in 614 by the Persians, but her cave hermitage on the Mount of Olives is still a place of pilgrimage and veneration. Full Article
ela Saint Ita of Kileedy, Ireland (570) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-01-16T12:51:01+00:00 The gentle and motherly St. Ita was descended from the high kings of Tara. From her youth she loved God ardently and shone with the radiance of a soul that loves virtue. Because of her purity of heart she was able to hear the voice of God and communicate it to others. Despite her father's opposition she embraced the monastic life in her youth. In obedience to the revelation of an angel she went to the people of Ui Conaill in the southwestern part of Ireland. While she was there, the foundation of a convent was laid. It soon grew into a monastic school for the education of boys, quickly becoming known for its high level of learning and moral purity. The most famous of her many students was St. Brendan of Clonfert (May 16). She went to the other world in great holiness to dwell forever with the risen Lord in the year 570. —from the 2003 Saint Herman Calendar Full Article
ela Great-Martyr Theodore Stratelates (“the General”) of Heraclea (319) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-02-07T13:41:47+00:00 He was a renowned commander in the Imperial army, and dwelt in Heraclea of Pontus. The Emperor Licinius heard of Theodore's fame as an officer, and also that he was a devout Christian; the Emperor determined to visit the general, officially to honor him, but secretly to turn him from Christ. When the Emperor came to Heraclea, Saint Theodore met him with all honor, and the Emperor in turn praised him for his service to the state. Licinius then publicly bade Theodore make sacrifice to the gods. Theodore asked that he be given the most venerable gods, made of gold and silver, to attend upon at home, and promised that the following day he would return and honor them before the people. The Emperor, thinking that he had succeeded in restoring Theodore to paganism, gladly agreed. That night the Saint smashed all the idols he had taken home, and distributed the gold and silver pieces to the poor. When this was discovered, Theodore gladly admitted his deed and confessed Christ boldly. The Emperor, in a fury, had the Saint subjected to many tortures, then crucified. On the cross, he was subject to further torments and mutilations: parts of his body were cut off, his eyes put out, and he was shot with arrows, finally being left on the cross for dead. The next day Licinius sent men to cast his body into the sea, but to their amazement they found the Saint alive, his body perfectly intact. Through this, many spectators and some of the Emperor's own men turned to Christ. Seeing that the Saint, far from renouncing Christ, was leading others to Him, the Emperor promptly had him beheaded. His holy relics were returned to his family home in Euchaita, where they worked so many miracles that the town came to be known as Theodoropolis. Full Article
ela St Patrick, Enlightener of Ireland (~461) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-03-16T12:55:58+00:00 "Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, 'After I came to Ireland — every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed — the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life in Aesir in Gaul [now France], under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, 'my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord -- so many thousands of people,' he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much 'weariness and painfulness,' long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland, as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner." (Great Horologion) The work of St Patrick and his brethren has been called the most successful single missionary venture in the history of the Church. It is said of St Patrick that he chanted the entire Psalter every day. Full Article
ela Martyr Thalelaeus at Aegae in Cilicia and those with him (327) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-05-08T06:16:00+00:00 The holy Thalelaeus is counted as one of the Unmercenary Physicians. He was a physician, born in Lebanon to a Berucius (a bishop) and Romylia. During the persecutions by the Emperor Numerian, he fled to Cilicia, but was captured and brought before Theodore, the governor. When Thalelaeus boldly confessed Christ, the cruel governor ordered two soldiers, Alexander and Asterius, to bore holes through his leg-bones, pass a rope through them, and hang him from a tree. But the executioners, by the power of God, were momentarily deprived of their wits and bored through a wooden plank instead, which they hung in the tree. The governor angrily ordered that the soldiers be flogged; during their flogging they cried out: 'The Lord is alive to us; from now on, we are become Christians. We believe in Christ, and suffer for Him.' Hearing these words, the governor ordered that both be beheaded. He then seized their awl and attempted to bore through Thalelaeus' legs himself; but his hand suddenly became paralyzed. The compassionate physician prayed to Christ and healed his persecutor' hand. His heart still hardened, the governor next ordered that the Saint be thrown into water and drowned; but he survived. Next he was thrown to wild beasts, but they licked his feet and rubbed tamely against him. Finally the holy Martyr was beheaded. Full Article
ela Martyr Thalelaeus at Aegae in Cilicia and those with him (327) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-05-08T06:16:12+00:00 The holy Thalelaeus is counted as one of the Unmercenary Physicians. He was a physician, born in Lebanon to a Berucius (a bishop) and Romylia. During the persecutions by the Emperor Numerian, he fled to Cilicia, but was captured and brought before Theodore, the governor. When Thalelaeus boldly confessed Christ, the cruel governor ordered two soldiers, Alexander and Asterius, to bore holes through his leg-bones, pass a rope through them, and hang him from a tree. But the executioners, by the power of God, were momentarily deprived of their wits and bored through a wooden plank instead, which they hung in the tree. The governor angrily ordered that the soldiers be flogged; during their flogging they cried out: 'The Lord is alive to us; from now on, we are become Christians. We believe in Christ, and suffer for Him.' Hearing these words, the governor ordered that both be beheaded. He then seized their awl and attempted to bore through Thalelaeus' legs himself; but his hand suddenly became paralyzed. The compassionate physician prayed to Christ and healed his persecutor' hand. His heart still hardened, the governor next ordered that the Saint be thrown into water and drowned; but he survived. Next he was thrown to wild beasts, but they licked his feet and rubbed tamely against him. Finally the holy Martyr was beheaded. Full Article
ela Our Holy Mothers the Martyrs Archelaïs, Thekla and Susanna (293) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-06-01T01:54:20+00:00 "As pure and virginal nuns, they lived the ascetic life in an unknown monastery near Rome. When a persecution of Christians arose under the wicked Emperor Diocletian, they fled to Campania and settled near the town of Nola. Their holy life could not be concealed, and people from nearby began to come to them for counsel, instruction and help in various trials and sicknesses, and they were finally seized by the pagans and taken for trial. They publicly and freely confessed their faith in Christ. When the judge, Leontius, questioned the holy Archelaïs about the Christian faith, she replied: 'It is by the power of Christ that I overcome the power of the devil and teach the people understanding and knowledge of the one, true God. By the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, it is given that, through me His servant, the sick find healing.' All three maidens were whipped, flogged with heavy staves, left to languish in prison and finally beheaded. When they were led out to the scaffold, angels appeared to them, which were seen by some of the executioners and inspired such fear in them that they dared not lift up their swords against the holy maidens. They, however, urged the executioners to finish their task. And thus, as lambs, were they beheaded in the year 293, and went to the Kingdom of Christ to rest in eternity and delight in beholding the face of God." (Prologue) Full Article
ela Our Holy Mother Pelagia (461) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-10-08T22:33:24+00:00 "This Saint was a prominent actress of the city of Antioch, and a pagan, who lived a life of unrestrained prodigality and led many to perdition. Instructed and baptized by a certain bishop named Nonnus (November 10), she departed to the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where she lived as a recluse, feigning to be a eunuch called Pelagius. She lived in such holiness and repentance that within three or four years she was deemed worthy to repose in an odour of sanctity, in the middle of the fifth century. Her tomb on the Mount of Olives has been a place of pilgrimage ever since." (Great Horologion). The Prologue adds that Pelagia had accumulated a large fortune as a courtesan, all of which she gave away to the poor upon her conversion. Full Article
ela Great-Martyr Theodore Stratelates ("the General") of Heraclea (319) - February 8th By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-02-08T08:15:20+00:00 He was a renowned commander in the Imperial army, and dwelt in Heraclea of Pontus. The Emperor Licinius heard of Theodore's fame as an officer, and also that he was a devout Christian; the Emperor determined to visit the general, officially to honor him, but secretly to turn him from Christ. When the Emperor came to Heraclea, Saint Theodore met him with all honor, and the Emperor in turn praised him for his service to the state. Licinius then publicly bade Theodore make sacrifice to the gods. Theodore asked that he be given the most venerable gods, made of gold and silver, to attend upon at home, and promised that the following day he would return and honor them before the people. The Emperor, thinking that he had succeeded in restoring Theodore to paganism, gladly agreed. That night the Saint smashed all the idols he had taken home, and distributed the gold and silver pieces to the poor. When this was discovered, Theodore gladly admitted his deed and confessed Christ boldly. The Emperor, in a fury, had the Saint subjected to many tortures, then crucified. On the cross, he was subject to further torments and mutilations: parts of his body were cut off, his eyes put out, and he was shot with arrows, finally being left on the cross for dead. The next day Licinius sent men to cast his body into the sea, but to their amazement they found the Saint alive, his body perfectly intact. Through this, many spectators and some of the Emperor's own men turned to Christ. Seeing that the Saint, far from renouncing Christ, was leading others to Him, the Emperor promptly had him beheaded. His holy relics were returned to his family home in Euchaita, where they worked so many miracles that the town came to be known as Theodoropolis. Full Article
ela Virgin-martyr Pelagia of Tarsus in Asia Minor (287) - May 4th By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-05-04T05:46:03+00:00 She was born in Tarsus (home of the Apostle Paul). Though her parents were prominent pagans, she heard of Christ from Christians in that city, and her heart was filled with love for the Savior. The Emperor Diocletian visited Tarsus, and during his stay the Emperor's son and heir fell in love with Pelagia and wished to marry her. To her parents' complete amazement, Pelagia replied that she was already promised to her betrothed, Christ the Lord. She then fled her parents' house and went to the holy Bishop Linus, who instructed her in the Faith and baptized her. Pelagia then gave away all her many possessions, returned home, and told her parents that she was baptised. The Emperor's son, despairing of marryng her, killed himself. Pelagia's mother then denounced her daughter to the Emperor, who summoned her for trial. When Pelagia freely confessed her unwavering faith in Christ, the Emperor condemned her to be burned in a metal ox heated by fire. An account of her martyrdom says that, entering the ox with prayers of thanksgiving on her lips, she instantly melted like wax. Bishop Linus, who had baptised her, found a few of her bones and buried them on a hill near Tarsus. During the reign of the Emperor Constantine Copronymus (741-775), a church was built there in her honor. Full Article
ela Martyr Thalelaeus at Aegae in Cilicia and those with him (327) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-05-20T05:24:54+00:00 The holy Thalelaeus is counted as one of the Unmercenary Physicians. He was a physician, born in Lebanon to a Berucius (a bishop) and Romylia. During the persecutions by the Emperor Numerian, he fled to Cilicia, but was captured and brought before Theodore, the governor. When Thalelaeus boldly confessed Christ, the cruel governor ordered two soldiers, Alexander and Asterius, to bore holes through his leg-bones, pass a rope through them, and hang him from a tree. But the executioners, by the power of God, were momentarily deprived of their wits and bored through a wooden plank instead, which they hung in the tree. The governor angrily ordered that the soldiers be flogged; during their flogging they cried out: 'The Lord is alive to us; from now on, we are become Christians. We believe in Christ, and suffer for Him.' Hearing these words, the governor ordered that both be beheaded. He then seized their awl and attempted to bore through Thalelaeus' legs himself; but his hand suddenly became paralyzed. The compassionate physician prayed to Christ and healed his persecutor' hand. His heart still hardened, the governor next ordered that the Saint be thrown into water and drowned; but he survived. Next he was thrown to wild beasts, but they licked his feet and rubbed tamely against him. Finally the holy Martyr was beheaded. Full Article
ela Our Holy Mothers the Martyrs Archelaïs, Thekla and Susanna (293) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-06-06T09:48:17+00:00 "As pure and virginal nuns, they lived the ascetic life in an unknown monastery near Rome. When a persecution of Christians arose under the wicked Emperor Diocletian, they fled to Campania and settled near the town of Nola. Their holy life could not be concealed, and people from nearby began to come to them for counsel, instruction and help in various trials and sicknesses, and they were finally seized by the pagans and taken for trial. They publicly and freely confessed their faith in Christ. When the judge, Leontius, questioned the holy Archelaïs about the Christian faith, she replied: 'It is by the power of Christ that I overcome the power of the devil and teach the people understanding and knowledge of the one, true God. By the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, it is given that, through me His servant, the sick find healing.' All three maidens were whipped, flogged with heavy staves, left to languish in prison and finally beheaded. When they were led out to the scaffold, angels appeared to them, which were seen by some of the executioners and inspired such fear in them that they dared not lift up their swords against the holy maidens. They, however, urged the executioners to finish their task. And thus, as lambs, were they beheaded in the year 293, and went to the Kingdom of Christ to rest in eternity and delight in beholding the face of God." (Prologue) Full Article
ela Our Holy Mother Melania the Elder (410) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-06-08T09:55:38+00:00 She was a wealthy and noble lady, born in Spain. Her husband and two of her children died and, seeing the vanity of worldly things, she travelled to Egypt to visit the monks at Nitria. She gave away most of her great wealth to the needy, and to Egyptian Christians being persecuted by the Arians. It is said that in three days she fed some 5,000 people. When the Orthodox in Egypt were exiled to Palestine, she went with them to Jerusalem, where she built a convent for virgins; she entered the convent herself, and reposed there in 410. Her grand-daughter, Melania the Younger, is commemorated on December 31. Full Article
ela Our Holy Mother Pelagia By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-10-08T05:00:01+00:00 "This Saint was a prominent actress of the city of Antioch, and a pagan, who lived a life of unrestrained prodigality and led many to perdition. Instructed and baptized by a certain bishop named Nonnus (November 10), she departed to the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where she lived as a recluse, feigning to be a eunuch called Pelagius. She lived in such holiness and repentance that within three or four years she was deemed worthy to repose in an odour of sanctity, in the middle of the fifth century. Her tomb on the Mount of Olives has been a place of pilgrimage ever since." (Great Horologion). The Prologue adds that Pelagia had accumulated a large fortune as a courtesan, all of which she gave away to the poor upon her conversion. Full Article
ela Great-Martyr Theodore Stratelates ("the General") of Heraclea (319) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2024-02-08T06:00:01+00:00 He was a renowned commander in the Imperial army, and dwelt in Heraclea of Pontus. The Emperor Licinius heard of Theodore's fame as an officer, and also that he was a devout Christian; the Emperor determined to visit the general, officially to honor him, but secretly to turn him from Christ. When the Emperor came to Heraclea, Saint Theodore met him with all honor, and the Emperor in turn praised him for his service to the state. Licinius then publicly bade Theodore make sacrifice to the gods. Theodore asked that he be given the most venerable gods, made of gold and silver, to attend upon at home, and promised that the following day he would return and honor them before the people. The Emperor, thinking that he had succeeded in restoring Theodore to paganism, gladly agreed. That night the Saint smashed all the idols he had taken home, and distributed the gold and silver pieces to the poor. When this was discovered, Theodore gladly admitted his deed and confessed Christ boldly. The Emperor, in a fury, had the Saint subjected to many tortures, then crucified. On the cross, he was subject to further torments and mutilations: parts of his body were cut off, his eyes put out, and he was shot with arrows, finally being left on the cross for dead. The next day Licinius sent men to cast his body into the sea, but to their amazement they found the Saint alive, his body perfectly intact. Through this, many spectators and some of the Emperor's own men turned to Christ. Seeing that the Saint, far from renouncing Christ, was leading others to Him, the Emperor promptly had him beheaded. His holy relics were returned to his family home in Euchaita, where they worked so many miracles that the town came to be known as Theodoropolis. Full Article
ela Virgin-martyr Pelagia of Tarsus in Asia Minor (287) - May 4th By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2024-05-04T05:01:00+00:00 She was born in Tarsus (home of the Apostle Paul). Though her parents were prominent pagans, she heard of Christ from Christians in that city, and her heart was filled with love for the Savior. The Emperor Diocletian visited Tarsus, and during his stay the Emperor's son and heir fell in love with Pelagia and wished to marry her. To her parents' complete amazement, Pelagia replied that she was already promised to her betrothed, Christ the Lord. She then fled her parents' house and went to the holy Bishop Linus, who instructed her in the Faith and baptized her. Pelagia then gave away all her many possessions, returned home, and told her parents that she was baptised. The Emperor's son, despairing of marryng her, killed himself. Pelagia's mother then denounced her daughter to the Emperor, who summoned her for trial. When Pelagia freely confessed her unwavering faith in Christ, the Emperor condemned her to be burned in a metal ox heated by fire. An account of her martyrdom says that, entering the ox with prayers of thanksgiving on her lips, she instantly melted like wax. Bishop Linus, who had baptised her, found a few of her bones and buried them on a hill near Tarsus. During the reign of the Emperor Constantine Copronymus (741-775), a church was built there in her honor. Full Article
ela Martyr Thalelaeus at Aegae in Cilicia and those with him (327) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2024-05-20T05:01:00+00:00 The holy Thalelaeus is counted as one of the Unmercenary Physicians. He was a physician, born in Lebanon to a Berucius (a bishop) and Romylia. During the persecutions by the Emperor Numerian, he fled to Cilicia, but was captured and brought before Theodore, the governor. When Thalelaeus boldly confessed Christ, the cruel governor ordered two soldiers, Alexander and Asterius, to bore holes through his leg-bones, pass a rope through them, and hang him from a tree. But the executioners, by the power of God, were momentarily deprived of their wits and bored through a wooden plank instead, which they hung in the tree. The governor angrily ordered that the soldiers be flogged; during their flogging they cried out: 'The Lord is alive to us; from now on, we are become Christians. We believe in Christ, and suffer for Him.' Hearing these words, the governor ordered that both be beheaded. He then seized their awl and attempted to bore through Thalelaeus' legs himself; but his hand suddenly became paralyzed. The compassionate physician prayed to Christ and healed his persecutor' hand. His heart still hardened, the governor next ordered that the Saint be thrown into water and drowned; but he survived. Next he was thrown to wild beasts, but they licked his feet and rubbed tamely against him. Finally the holy Martyr was beheaded. Full Article
ela Our Holy Mothers the Martyrs Archelaïs, Thekla and Susanna (293) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2024-06-06T05:01:00+00:00 "As pure and virginal nuns, they lived the ascetic life in an unknown monastery near Rome. When a persecution of Christians arose under the wicked Emperor Diocletian, they fled to Campania and settled near the town of Nola. Their holy life could not be concealed, and people from nearby began to come to them for counsel, instruction and help in various trials and sicknesses, and they were finally seized by the pagans and taken for trial. They publicly and freely confessed their faith in Christ. When the judge, Leontius, questioned the holy Archelaïs about the Christian faith, she replied: 'It is by the power of Christ that I overcome the power of the devil and teach the people understanding and knowledge of the one, true God. By the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, it is given that, through me His servant, the sick find healing.' All three maidens were whipped, flogged with heavy staves, left to languish in prison and finally beheaded. When they were led out to the scaffold, angels appeared to them, which were seen by some of the executioners and inspired such fear in them that they dared not lift up their swords against the holy maidens. They, however, urged the executioners to finish their task. And thus, as lambs, were they beheaded in the year 293, and went to the Kingdom of Christ to rest in eternity and delight in beholding the face of God." (Prologue) Full Article
ela Our Holy Mother Melania the Elder (410) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2024-06-08T05:01:00+00:00 She was a wealthy and noble lady, born in Spain. Her husband and two of her children died and, seeing the vanity of worldly things, she travelled to Egypt to visit the monks at Nitria. She gave away most of her great wealth to the needy, and to Egyptian Christians being persecuted by the Arians. It is said that in three days she fed some 5,000 people. When the Orthodox in Egypt were exiled to Palestine, she went with them to Jerusalem, where she built a convent for virgins; she entered the convent herself, and reposed there in 410. Her grand-daughter, Melania the Younger, is commemorated on December 31. Full Article
ela Our Holy Mother Pelagia By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2024-10-08T05:01:00+00:00 "This Saint was a prominent actress of the city of Antioch, and a pagan, who lived a life of unrestrained prodigality and led many to perdition. Instructed and baptized by a certain bishop named Nonnus (November 10), she departed to the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, where she lived as a recluse, feigning to be a eunuch called Pelagius. She lived in such holiness and repentance that within three or four years she was deemed worthy to repose in an odour of sanctity, in the middle of the fifth century. Her tomb on the Mount of Olives has been a place of pilgrimage ever since." (Great Horologion). The Prologue adds that Pelagia had accumulated a large fortune as a courtesan, all of which she gave away to the poor upon her conversion. Full Article
ela Handling Relapse By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2011-10-24T12:19:37+00:00 For it is written, "If a righteous man falls down seven times"—that is, repeatedly throughout his life—"seven times shall he rise again" (Prov. 24:16). We will fall. Relapse does occur. Setting realistic goals is a great way to handle not giving in to the passions of overeating and slothfulness. Realistic goal-setting is a way to make positive changes that last. Full Article
ela Children and Their Relationship with Food By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2012-07-25T17:59:34+00:00 Rita discusses additional ways to help children develop a healthy relationship with food. Full Article
ela The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Mindful Eating By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2013-01-16T16:40:01+00:00 Did you overdo it during the fast-free period of the Holy Nativity? Are you frustrated with how you ate and that lack of attention you paid to your body? Do you struggle with overindulgence on foods and beverage? Rita discusses how and why we must forgive ourselves and move forward. Full Article
ela Our Relationship to Spiritual Things By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-12-24T20:24:17+00:00 In this podcast, we see great teachings for our relationship with material things, our earth and body, through teachings from a saint that lived around 1500 years ago! Starting January 21, 2021, Rita will be offering my Food Faith and fasting workshop in the virtual format. Here is the website to learn more and sign up: https://foodfaithfasting.gumroad.com (Workshop Flyer is attached) Full Article
ela Sermon Nov. 18, 2012 (A Spiritually Healthy Relationship with Money) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2015-08-07T02:51:30+00:00 On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew discusses the question, "Why do we talk about money in church?" Full Article
ela A Revelation at Hamatoura (Oct. 13, 2019) By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-01-23T22:49:22+00:00 Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick preaches on the feast of St. Jacob of Hamatoura, who had been forgotten and yet made himself known again, telling what it means that God gives us saints and why He does so. Full Article
ela Mother Melania By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2016-03-17T17:22:21+00:00 Mother Melania speaks at College Conference West, which took place from December 28-31, 2016, at St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, California. Full Article
ela The Love and Power that Flows through Christ-Centered Relationships By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2022-04-20T16:36:53+00:00 In this episode, Danielle and Jeanine dive into understanding Christ-centered relationships. They discuss where to find these relationships, their benefits, and why it’s helpful to maintain them with other young adults Full Article
ela Renewing Your Relationships By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-09-13T01:31:15+00:00 After a long break, Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne return to tackle relationships and how to renew them in your family, at work, and in your parish. Full Article
ela Relationships and the Holidays By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2017-12-13T02:25:58+00:00 The chat room was hopping tonight as Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne talk about how to deal with difficult relationships during this holiday season. They couldn't get to all the questions and their prepared remarks so look for part two on January 9, 2018. Full Article
ela Coping with Difficult Relationships By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2018-02-14T01:05:13+00:00 Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh have found that relationship issues are common to all of us and tonight they tackle the problem again. Great interaction on the phone with callers and in the chat room. You don't want to miss this episode. Full Article
ela Strengthening Our Relationships By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-02-13T02:47:00+00:00 Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh spend the hour talking about our relationships and how we can strengthen them. Listen for some very practical tips! Full Article
ela Healthy Relationships - Part 2 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2019-02-27T02:44:41+00:00 While Dr. Roxanne was out of town, Fr. Nicholas Louh continued from the last show talking about making our relationships more healthy. Full Article
ela Promises and Relationships By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2020-02-12T03:42:07+00:00 Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh give us some very practical input on making and fulfilling promises in our relationships. Full Article
ela The Two Saints Pelagia of Antioch By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2021-06-05T15:23:17+00:00 On October 8, we commemorate two Sts. Pelagia of Antioch. The first is a virgin martyr, and the second is a repentant harlot, sometimes referred to as St. Pelagia the former courtesan of Antioch. Full Article
ela Introduction to Revelation By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-01-02T12:22:08+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young kicks off the discussion of St. John's Revelation. Full Article
ela Revelation 1:1-8 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-01-09T11:23:22+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of Revelation, Chapter 1. Full Article
ela Revelation 1:9-20 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-01-16T18:39:54+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young concludes the discussion of Revelation, Chapter 1. Full Article
ela Revelation 2:1-17 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-01-23T11:27:58+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of Revelation, Chapter 2. Full Article
ela Revelation 2:18-29 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-01-30T11:30:02+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young concludes the discussion of Revelation, Chapter 2. Full Article
ela Revelation 3:1-7 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-02-06T18:06:29+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion on Revelation, Chapter 3. Full Article
ela Revelation 3:8-22 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-02-13T21:43:55+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young concludes the discussion on Revelation, Chapter 3. Full Article
ela Revelation 4: 1-7 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-02-20T17:01:56+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young begins discussing Revelation, Chapter 4. Full Article
ela Revelation 4: 8-11, 5: 1-14, 6: 1-17 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-02-27T17:45:09+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young concludes the discussion of Revelation Chapter 4 and continues through Chapters 5 and 6. Full Article
ela Revelation 7: 1-8 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-03-06T20:06:52+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young begins discussing Revelation, Chapter 7. Full Article
ela Revelation 7: 9-17, 8:1-13 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-03-13T16:39:27+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young concludes Revelation Chapter 7 and discusses Chapter 8 in its entirety. Full Article
ela Revelation 9: 1-10 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-03-20T13:53:49+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young begins to discuss Revelation, Chapter 9. Full Article
ela Revelation 9: 11-21, 10: 1-11 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-03-28T00:15:06+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young concludes Revelation, Chapter 9. He also discusses Chapter 10 in its entirety. Full Article
ela Revelation 11: 1-3 By www.ancientfaith.com Published On :: 2023-04-03T17:58:16+00:00 Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the first three verses of Revelation, Chapter 11. Full Article