Saints O - Q

Orthodox Icon of Saint Pelagia of Tinos.

Commemorated July 23rd.

Saint Pelagia, an eighty-year-old nun, had several dreams in June of 1822 in which the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to her. St Pelagia was living in the women's monastery of the Dormition on Mt. Kechrovounios, about an hour's journey from the village. She had lived in the monastery from a young age, and was known for her great virtue and piety.The Theotokos appeared to her in a dream and ordered her to go to Stamatelos Kangades (a prominent man of the village), and tell him to uncover the church of St John the Baptist in the field of Anthony Doxaras.

Terrified by the vision, Pelagia attributed the dream to her imagination, and she began to pray. She was afraid to tell anyone about her dream, but the following week, the Theotokos appeared to her again, reminding her of her instructions. Still, the nun remained silent and told no one of her vision. The Theotokos appeared a third time, this time with a severe manner.

She chastised the nun for her unbelief, saying, "Go and do as I told you. Be obedient."St Pelagia woke up in fear and trembling. As she opened her eyes, she saw the same mysterious Woman she had seen while asleep. With a great effort she asked, "Who are you, Lady? Why are you angry with me, and why do you order me to do these things?" The Woman raised her hand and said, "Proclaim, O earth, glad tidings of great joy". Understanding at last, the aged nun joyfully exclaimed, "Praise, O heavens, the glory of God".

At once, she informed the Abbess of her visions, and she also told Stamatelos Kangades. Mr. Kangades, who had been designated by the Theotokos to carry out the excavation of the church, informed Bishop Gabriel of these events. The bishop had already heard of the dream of Michael Polyzoes, and realized that the account of the nun Pelagia agreed with his vision. Bishop Gabriel wrote to all the churches on the island of Tinos, urging them to cooperate in finding the church and the icon.Excavations began in September of 1822 under the supervision of Mr. Kangades.

The foundations of the church of St John, destroyed by Arabs in 1200, were uncovered. An old well was found near the church, but not the holy icon. The money ran out, and so the effort was abandoned.Once again the Mother of God appeared to St Pelagia, urging that the excavations continue. Bishop Gabriel sent out an appeal for donations to build a new church on the foundations of the old church of St John the Baptist.

The new church was built, and was dedicated to St John and to the Life-Giving Fountain.On January 30, 1823 workers were leveling the ground inside the church in preparation for laying a new stone floor. About noon one of the workers, Emmanuel Matsos, struck a piece of wood with his pickaxe, splitting it down the middle. He looked at one piece of the board and saw that it was burned on one side, while the other side showed traces of paint.

As he brushed off the dirt with his hand, he saw that it was an icon. Joining the two pieces of wood together, he crossed himself and venerated the icon.He called the other workers, who also came and venerated the icon. When the icon was cleaned, it was shown to be an icon of the Annunciation. The split was in the middle of the icon, between the Theotokos and the Archangel Gabriel. Neither figure was damaged, and this was regarded as a miracle.

That same day, the icon was given to Bishop Gabriel, who kissed it and cried out, "Great art Thou, O Lord, and wondrous are Thy works."After the finding of the icon, the inabitants of Tinos were filled with zeal to build a magnificent church in honor of the Theotokos. People offered their money and their own labor to help build the church of the Evangelistria (She who received the Good News).

The new church was completed in 1823, and was consecrated by Bishop Gabriel. St Pelagia of Tinos fell asleep in the Lord on April 28, 1834. Her Feast Day, however, is on July 23.The Tinos Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos continues to be venerated as one of Greece's holiest treasures. Innumerable miracles of healing and deliverance from danger have not ceased since the time the icon was found.

Reference:http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/01/finding-of-panagia-evangelistria-icon.html

Orthodox icon of Saint Penelope.

Commemorated September 1st.

Saint Penelope was one of the Holy Forty Virgin Martyrs. The forty women virgin martyrs lived in Thrace around 305 AD and they were disciples of Deacon Ammoun. They struggled, prayed, held vigils and fasted daily. When they all refused to sacrifice to his idols, Roman Emperor Licinius, sought their destruction. He tortured them many times over, and then ordered them all to be put to death.

Orthodox icon of Saint Perikles,of Karthagene.

Commemorated April 10th.

Orthodox icon of Saint Peter the Apostle. Copy of an icon from the second half of the 6th century- first half of the 7th century. St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai Egypt.

Commemorated June 29th.

In the original icon Saint Peter is shown with large wide-open eyes, short gray hair and short well-groomed beard. He is holding a cross in the left hand and three keys in the right. Saint Peter's head is surrounded by a large golden halo. Saint Peter was the son of Jonas and the brother of Andrew the First-called.

He was a fisherman, unlearned and poor, and was called Simon. He was renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ, who said to him, "Thou art Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)" (John 1:42). He preached in Judea, Antioch, and certain parts of Asia, and finally came to Rome, where he was crucified upside down by Nero.

Orthodox icon of Saint Peter the Apostle (2).

Commemorated June 29th.

Orthodox icon of Saint Peter the Apostle (3).

Commemorated June 29th.

Orthodox icon of Apostle Peter (4). Icon of 16 cent. Mount Athos, Monastery of Stavronikita.

Commemorated June 29.

The divinely-blessed Peter was from Bethsaida of Galilee. He was the son of Jonas and the brother of Andrew the First-called. He was a fisherman by trade, unlearned and poor, and was called Simon; later he was renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who looked at him and said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)" (John 1:42).

On being raised by the Lord to the dignity of an Apostle and becoming inseparable from Him as His zealous disciple, he followed Him from the beginning of His preaching of salvation up until the very Passion, when, in the court of Caiaphas the high priest, he denied Him thrice because of his fear of the Jews and of the danger at hand. But again, after many bitter tears, he received complete forgiveness of his transgression.

After the Resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, he preached in Judea, Antioch, and certain parts of Asia, and finally came to Rome, where he was crucified upside down by Nero, and thus he ascended to the eternal habitations about the year 66 or 68, leaving two Catholic (General) Epistles to the Church of Christ.

Orthodox icon of Apostle Peter (5). Icon of 16 cent. Mount Athos, Monastery of Dionysiou.

Commemorated June 29.

The divinely-blessed Peter was from Bethsaida of Galilee. He was the son of Jonas and the brother of Andrew the First-called. He was a fisherman by trade, unlearned and poor, and was called Simon; later he was renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who looked at him and said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)" (John 1:42).

On being raised by the Lord to the dignity of an Apostle and becoming inseparable from Him as His zealous disciple, he followed Him from the beginning of His preaching of salvation up until the very Passion, when, in the court of Caiaphas the high priest, he denied Him thrice because of his fear of the Jews and of the danger at hand. But again, after many bitter tears, he received complete forgiveness of his transgression.

After the Resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, he preached in Judea, Antioch, and certain parts of Asia, and finally came to Rome, where he was crucified upside down by Nero, and thus he ascended to the eternal habitations about the year 66 or 68, leaving two Catholic (General) Epistles to the Church of Christ.

Orthodox icon of Saint Peter the Apostle (6), icon of 14 cent. Chilandari Monastery, mount Athos.

Commemorated June 29th.

Orthodox icon of Apostle Peter (7). Icon of 16 cent. Mount Athos, Monastery of Stavronikita.

Commemorated June 29.

The divinely-blessed Peter was from Bethsaida of Galilee. He was the son of Jonas and the brother of Andrew the First-called. He was a fisherman by trade, unlearned and poor, and was called Simon; later he was renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who looked at him and said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)" (John 1:42).

On being raised by the Lord to the dignity of an Apostle and becoming inseparable from Him as His zealous disciple, he followed Him from the beginning of His preaching of salvation up until the very Passion, when, in the court of Caiaphas the high priest, he denied Him thrice because of his fear of the Jews and of the danger at hand. But again, after many bitter tears, he received complete forgiveness of his transgression.

After the Resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, he preached in Judea, Antioch, and certain parts of Asia, and finally came to Rome, where he was crucified upside down by Nero, and thus he ascended to the eternal habitations about the year 66 or 68, leaving two Catholic (General) Epistles to the Church of Christ.

Orthodoxox icon of Saint Phanourius, Fanourios.

Commemorated August 27.

The only information that we have about the life of Saint Fanourios, are from an icon of the Saint, that was discovered on 14th century at the island of Rhodos, in Greece. The Saint became very beloved to the faithfuls, because of the many miracles that he makes. The original icon is quite large. In the center is a portrait of the Saint holding a candle in his right hand and around this are 12 smaller images showing the each stage of his martyrdom. The portrayal of each illustration is as follows: The saint is standing in front of a Roman magistrate and defending his Christian faith. Soldiers beat the saint on the head and mouth with rocks to force him to deny his faith.

The saint remains patient which angers the soldiers. They are shown in this illustration, throwing him to the ground and beating him with sticks and clubs in a further attempt to force him to deny his faith. The saint is now in prison. He is illustrated completely naked with the soldiers ripping his flesh apart with some sort of iron implement. The saint is still in prison. In this station, he is shown praying to God, perhaps to give him strength to endure his tortures. Next, the saint is standing in front of the Roman magistrate again defending his position.

The expression on the face of the saint is calm. In this image, it is obvious that the Roman magistrate has sentenced the saint to the executioners for remaining unmoved in Station 6. The saint is again shown naked with executioners torching (burning) his body. At this station, the executioners are now using mechanical means to torture the saint. He appears tied to an apparatus that rotates to crush his bones. Though his body is truly suffering intensely for God, the look on his face is peaceful and patient.

His executioners watch as the Saint is thrown into a pit with wild beasts. The wild beasts circle around him as if they are lambs and share companionship with him. The saint is removed from the pit to be crushed under the weight of a huge boulder. Unsuccessful, the executioners now place hot coals into his palms to force the saint to sacrifice at their pagan alter. In this image, their is an image of a dragon, representing the devil, flying away and crying at the saints victory even over this torture. The final scene shows his martyrdom. He is in a large kiln, standing on a stool with flames and smoke all around him. 

Orthodoxox icon of Saint Phanourius, Fanourios.

Commemorated August 27.

The only information that we have about the life of Saint Fanourios, are from an icon of the Saint, that was discovered on 14th century at the island of Rhodos, in Greece. The Saint became very beloved to the faithfuls, because of the many miracles that he makes. The original icon is quite large. In the center is a portrait of the Saint holding a candle in his right hand and around this are 12 smaller images showing the each stage of his martyrdom. The portrayal of each illustration is as follows: The saint is standing in front of a Roman magistrate and defending his Christian faith. Soldiers beat the saint on the head and mouth with rocks to force him to deny his faith.

The saint remains patient which angers the soldiers. They are shown in this illustration, throwing him to the ground and beating him with sticks and clubs in a further attempt to force him to deny his faith. The saint is now in prison. He is illustrated completely naked with the soldiers ripping his flesh apart with some sort of iron implement. The saint is still in prison. In this station, he is shown praying to God, perhaps to give him strength to endure his tortures. Next, the saint is standing in front of the Roman magistrate again defending his position.

The expression on the face of the saint is calm. In this image, it is obvious that the Roman magistrate has sentenced the saint to the executioners for remaining unmoved in Station 6. The saint is again shown naked with executioners torching (burning) his body. At this station, the executioners are now using mechanical means to torture the saint. He appears tied to an apparatus that rotates to crush his bones. Though his body is truly suffering intensely for God, the look on his face is peaceful and patient.

His executioners watch as the Saint is thrown into a pit with wild beasts. The wild beasts circle around him as if they are lambs and share companionship with him. The saint is removed from the pit to be crushed under the weight of a huge boulder. Unsuccessful, the executioners now place hot coals into his palms to force the saint to sacrifice at their pagan alter. In this image, their is an image of a dragon, representing the devil, flying away and crying at the saints victory even over this torture. The final scene shows his martyrdom. He is in a large kiln, standing on a stool with flames and smoke all around him. 

Orthodox Icon of Saint Phanourios, Fanourios  in Silver plated (SP).

Commemorated August 27.

Silver-plated icon of Saint Phanourios on a special paper, with decoration.Silver-plated icons are made with the latest and very specific technique. The icon is a copy of a hand painted icon and the background is silver 958.

NOTICE: The colors of the icons seems little darker, because of the reflection in the scanner.

A discovery by nomadic arabs uncovered an icon of this unheralded saint amid the ruins of an ancient church. It was found in a group of icons that were all in a state of decay with the exception of one. This icon was discarded by the Arabs, who failed to attach any importance to it. At a safe distance a group of monks were observing waiting patiently until the Arabs left the scene. When they had departed they rushed to reclaim this well preserved icon.  

On it they could see a clearly outlined face of a saint with what appeared to be fresh lettering that spelling out Phanourios On closer examination they fell down in awe at what they saw. Drawn about the saint were twelve distinct frames showing variuos forms of cruel torture that Phanourios endured. It had a realism that suggested the artist must have been witness to the atrocity. After years of research, scanning centuries of archives and questioning the leading authorities, they founf nothing. No more was known about Phanourios than the day on which his icon was discovered.

Phanourios, lost for centuries in the ruins of a church, became the patron saint of things lost. To this day his name is invoked when prayers are asked for the recovery of lost items.

Orthodox Icon of Saint Phevronia, Fevronia , Febronia the Righteous Virgin Martyr of Nisibis, th Much-suffering.

Commemorated June 25.

This is the Orthodox Icon of Virgin Martyr Febronia who suffered during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). She was raised at a monastery in the city of Sivapolis (Assyria) where her aunt, Bryaena, was the abbess. Becauseshe was concerned about her niece's salvation, she assigned her a stricter form of life than the other nuns. News of her pious life spread throughout the city. The illustrious young widow Hieria, a pagan, began to visit her, and under the influence of her guidance and prayer she accepted holy Baptism, bringing her parents and kinsfolk to the Christian Faith. Diocletian sent a detachment of soldiers to Assyria under the command of Lysimachus, Selinus and Primus for the destruction of Christians.

When the detachment of soldiers approached the convent, its inhabitants hid. There remained only the abbess Bryaena, her helper Thomais and St Febronia, who was seriously ill at the time. It grieved the abbess terribly that her niece might fall into the hands of the torturers. She prayed fervently that the Lord would preserve her and strengthen her in the confession of Christ the Savior. Selinus gave orders to bring him all the nuns of the convent. Primus with the detachment of soldiers found only the two old women and St Febronia.

Being sympathetic to Christains he suggested to the nuns that they flee. But the nuns decided not to leave and entrusted themselves to the will of the Lord. Primus told Lysimachus, who was also sympathetic to Christains, about the particular beauty of St Febronia and advised him to take her for himself. Lysimachus said that he would not seduce a virgin dedicated to God, and he asked Primus to hide the other nuns somewhere so that they would not fall into the hands of Selinus. One of the soldiers overheard the conversation and told Selinus and led St Febronia off to the military commander with her hands bound and a chain around her neck. Selinus urged her to deny Christ, but the holy virgin firmly and fearlessly answered that she had an Immortal Bridegroom, and she would not exchange Him for any mortal man.

Selinus subjected her to fierce torture. The tortures were so inhuman, that the people began to demand an end to the torture, since there was no confession of guilt by the girl. Selinus continued to mock and jeer at the martyr, but St Febronia became silent. In a rage Selinus gave orders to tear out her tongue, smash her teeth, and finally, to cut off both hands and feet. The people were unable to bear such a horrid spectacle and they left the scene of the torture, cursing Diocletian and his gods.

Among the crowd was the nun Thomais, who afterwards recorded St Febronia's martyrdom in detail, and also her student Hieria. She came forth out of the crowd and in the hearing of all reproached Selinus for his cruelty. He gave orders to arrest her, but learning that Hieria was of illustrious standing whom he could not readily subject to torture, he said, By your speech you have brought on Febronia even greater torment. Finally, they beheaded the holy Martyr Febronia.

Departing the place of execution, Lysimachus wept and withdrew to his quarters. Selinus made ready to eat, but he was not able to take food, and went off to the quiet of his own chambers. Suddenly, he became like one deranged. Looking up to the heavens, he raved and bellowed like a bull, then fell down and struck his head on a marble column and died. When Lysimachus learned of this, he said,  Great is the God of the Christians, Who has avenged Febronia's blood, so unrighteously shed! He prepared a coffin, placed the martyr's body in it, and took it to the convent. Abbess Bryaena fell senseless, seeing the mutilated remains of St Febronia.

Later, she recovered her senses and gave orders to open the convent gates so that all would be able to come and venerate the holy martyr and glorify God Who had given her such endurance in suffering for Christ. Lysimachus and Primus renounced their idol worship and accepted both Baptism and monasticism. Hieria gave her wealth to the convent and petitioned Abbess Bryaena to accept her at the convent in place of St Febronia. Every year, on the day of the martyric death of St Febronia, a solemn feast was celebrated at the convent.

During the time of the all-night Vigil the nuns always saw St Febronia, at her usual place in church. From the relics of St Febronia occurred numerous miracles and healings. The Life of St Febronia was recorded by the nun Thomais, an eyewitness to her deeds. In the year 363 the relics of St Febronia were transferred to Constantinople. Soon after the death of St Febronia, St James the Bishop of Nisibis (January 13) built a church and transferred into it a portion of the of the holy martyr's relics.

Reference: O.C.A.