The Dove

The Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior. According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). On the 8th day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. “My Lord and my God,” the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to s...

The Holy Martyr Porphyrios suffered during the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363). Porphyrios was an actor and on the Emperor’s birthday he was performing in a play at the theater, where he was supposed to mock the Mystery of Holy Baptism. During the play Porphyrios immersed himself in the water and said: “The servant of God, Porphyrios, is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” By the grace of God, which he received after speaking these words, he emerged from the water and confessed himself a Christian before the entire audience. Julian ordered him to be tortured, and after being subjected to torture, he was beheaded. This took place in the city of Ephesus in the year 361. Saint Porphyrios the actor (September 15) should not be confused with Saint Porphyrios the actor who lived during the reign of Aurelian (270-275), and is commemorated on November 4. Source: OCA Troparion — Tone 3 Your holy martyr Porphyrius, O Lord, / through his sufferings ...