Herod finally realized that his scheme to find the Child would not be successful, and he ordered that all the male children two years old and younger at Bethlehem and its surroundings be killed. He thought that the divine Infant, Whom he considered a rival, would be among the dead children.
Saint Simon the Myrrh-Gusher lived an ascetical life on Mt Athos, and was glorified by many miracles.
Rating: 10|Votes: 1
On the Feast of the Nativity of Christ in the year 302, when about 20,000 Christians had assembled at the cathedral in Nicomedia, the emperor sent a herald into the church. He told the Christians that soldiers were surrounding the building, and that anyone who wished to leave had to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Rating: 2|Votes: 1
Saint Nicanor, Apostle of the Seventy was among the first deacons in the Church of Christ.
Rating: 10|Votes: 4
The Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen was the eldest of the seven deacons, appointed by the Apostles themselves, and therefore he is called “archdeacon.”
