Cosmas & Damianos the Holy Unmercenaries & their mother Theodota
November 1
These Saints were from Asia (that is, Asia Minor). After the death of their father, their Christ-loving mother Theodota reared them in piety and in all manner of virtue, and had them instructed in every science, especially that of medicine. This became their vocation, and they went about healing every illness and malady, bestowing healing freely on both men and beasts alike; because of this, they are called "Unmercenaries." And thus, having completed the course of their life, they reposed in peace.

Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Icon Courtesy of St. Isaac Skete



Galaktion & his wife Episteme, the Martyrs of Emesa
November 5
Saint Galaction was from Emesa, the son of Cleitophon and Leucippe, pagans who had been instructed in piety by a certain Christian named Onuphrius and received holy Baptism. Saint Episteme, born of unbelieving parents, was baptized before she was wedded to Galaction. After their marriage they remained in virginity and lived in separate monastic houses. Betrayed as Christians, they suffered martyrdom during the reign of Decius, about the year 250.

Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery



Lazarus the Wonderworker
November 7
Our righteous Father Lazarus was born in 967 in Magnesia of Asia Minor, and passed through various regions of the East, visiting monasteries. He was tonsured a monk, and then ordained priest, at the Monastery of Mar Sabbas in Palestine. In 1005 he returned to his homeland, and beginning in the year 1012, he built the monasteries that are on Mount Galesion. He raised up a pillar, on which he lived as a stylite for many years, enduring unspeakable hardships for the love of Christ, and reposed in the Lord in deep old age in the year 1053, during the reign of Constantine Monomachus (1042-1055).



Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery