Monk Nicodemus (Jones)
Rating: 10|Votes: 3
The Gallic Church had its beginnings in the first century. Western tradition holds that Gaul (France) was initially evangelized and baptized by St. Mary Magdalene, St. Lazarus the Four-DaysDead, and his sisters Sts.Mary andMartha. On the basis of St. Paul’s second Epistle to Timothy, several historians have thought that the Apostle Crescens, an envoy of St. Paul, labored in Gaul. Some also think that St. Paul stopped in Gaul on his way to Spain. In any event, Christianity penetrated into southern Gaul at an early date, specifically into Provence and the Rhone Valley — areas that had a strong presence of Greek minorities hailing from Asia Minor, Phrygia and Syria.
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Saint Ilarion the Georgian was the son of a Kakheti aristocrat. There were other children in the family, but only Ilarion was dedicated to God from his very birth. Ilarion’s father built a monastery on his own land, and there the boy was raised.
Rating: 7|Votes: 7
In the year 914 a certain prince by the name of Mikael- Gobron distinguished himself in a battle against the Arab Muslim invaders. After they had captured the fortress of Kvelistsikhe in southern Georgia, theMuslims took captive those who remained alive, and Prince Gobron was among them. Deeply impressed by the Georgian soldier’s valor, the emir Abu al-Qasim ordered his army to treat him with respect.
Rating: 10|Votes: 1
Тhe 9th century was one of the most difficult periods in Georgian history. The Arab Muslims wreaked havoc throughout the region of Kartli, forcibly converting many to Islam with fire and the sword. Many of the destitute and frightened were tempted to betray the Faith of their fathers.
Among the multitude of saints we remember those Christianswho dedicated their earthly lives to glorifying Godand serving others. In a single lifetime they performed allthe spiritual feats of the venerable and devout fathers, confessors,and martyrs.