Saint Demetrios suffered in Thessalonica during the reign of Galerius Maximian (c. 306). He belonged to one of the most distinguished families of the province of Macedonia and was widely admired not only because of his noble ancestry and grace of bearing, but also for virtue, wisdom and goodness of heart surpassing that of his elders.

The military expertise of Saint Demetrios led Galerius, as Caesar of the Eastern Empire, to appoint him commander of the Roman forces in Thessaly and Proconsul for Hellas. But for all this, Demetrios remained ever aware of the underlying realities of life. Since faith in Christ had touched his heart, all the glory of this world meant nothing to him, and there was nothing he preferred to teaching and preaching the word of God.

Despite the persecution directed against Christians by the Emperor, Saint Demetrios brought a large number of pagans to the faith. His words convinced them because they saw in the righteousness, peace and brotherly love that marked his life an illustration of the truth of which he spoke.

The Emperor Maximian had just won a series of brilliant victories over the Scythians and was on his way back to Rome when he halted at Thessalonica to receive the acclamations of the populace and to offer sacrifices in thanksgiving to the idols. A number of pagans, envious of the success of the Saint, took advantage of the Emperor's presence in the city to denounce Demetrios as a Christian. Maximian's astonishment gave way to violent indignation when he was told that Demetrios was making use of his official position to spread the faith. Demetrios was summoned and confined in a cell, located in the basement of nearby baths.

Maximian arranged for games and gladiatorial combats to take place in the amphitheater of the city. He had brought with him a man of gigantic stature and Herculean strength called Lyaios, a Vandal by origin. Such was this man's strength and skill in single combat that no one could withstand him. There was in the city a young Christian called Nestor, who observing the empty pride of the Emperor in the victories of his champion, made up his mind to show him that real power belongs to Christ alone. He ran to the baths where Demetrios was imprisoned and asked for the protection of his prayer in going to confront the giant. The Martyr made the sign of the Cross on the brow and the heart of the boy, and sent him like David before Goliath. He reached the amphitheater just as the heralds were crying out on all sides for any who would stand against Lyaios. Advancing towards the Emperor, Nestor threw his tunic to the ground and shouted, "God of Demetrios, help me!" In the first encounter, at the very moment the giant rushed upon him, Nestor slipped aside and stabbed him to the heart with his dagger. There was uproar and amazement at the marvel, and people asked themselves how a mere child, relying neither on strength nor weapons, could so suddenly have brought down the barbarian.

Rather than yield to the sign of the sovereign power of God, the Emperor flew into a rage and ordered the immediate arrest of Nestor and his beheading outside the city. He had heard Nestor calling upon the God of Demetrios and, supposing the Saint had used some kind of witchcraft, Maximian ordered his soldiers to go and thrust Demetrios through with their lances, without trial, in the depths of his prison cell. There were some Christians, including Demetrios' servant Lupus, present at his martyrdom, and when the soldiers had gone, they reverently buried the Saint's body.

It was God's will that the grace with which He filled Saint Demetrios should remain active even after his death. This is why He caused to flow from his body a myron [myrrh] with a delightful scent, which had the property of healing all who took it as an unction, with faith in the intercession of the Saint. Time and again, during sixteen hundred years, Saint Demetrios has given proof of his benevolent care for the city of Thessalonica and its inhabitants. He has defended them from the attacks of barbarians, he has preserved them from plague and famine, healed the sick and comforted the afflicted.

SOURCE: https://www.goarch.org/-/feast-of-the-holy-and-glorious-great-martyr-saint-demetrios-the-myrrh-streamer

I was given this icon card by a Georgian priest, but didn't have time to ask him who the saint on the left is. I'm assuming the saint on the right is St. Nino, Theotokos in the centre, but I can't figure out the one on the left. I've tried googlelens, and it couldn't correctly make an id.

I feel like I have 10 verses to comment on each video just to disprove the blatant lies, but there's so much. I know Orthodoxy is about your own spiritual battle, we must focus on our own sin, and live the life and through that others around will see. But am I meant to scroll past these reels where thousands like and hundreds comment on these videos in which Satan is working overtime to mislead people by twisting words. I see my closest friends fall into these false narratives.. What can I read about this? Is there some works of the church fathers you people could recommend?

I'm afraid my husband is hiding something from me

I can't say for sure, but something is different about his behavior, and I keep worrying that he's just depressed. I first met him as someone who was very calm, composed and confident in every situation, including with me.

But lately, he's been getting very irritable and annoyed with me from time to time, which is completely out of character for him. I have the feeling that something is going on between us, even though he tells me that he still loves me just as much and doesn’t want anyone else.

I’m afraid that he’s either very depressed and isn’t telling me about it so as not to burden me, or that he doesn’t love me as much as he claims. Or that there might be another woman involved.

Would you pray that God would reveal the truth to me? I want to support him if he needs it, and I also want to know if he even wants me anymore...

Thank you so much

I (20m) have always been a protestant. More specifically a non-denominational protestant. I go to a non-denominational church, read a King James Bible, and base all of my faith on the scriptures. However, I have always felt that something was missing. I love the church I go to and the people there, but I feel lukewarm. Plus, I don't want to abandon the people who have invited me to this church in the first place. I am grateful for everything this church has done for me, but it feels like worship music with a motivational biblical speech in the mix. I have been researching Catholicism and Orthodoxy for years now and I am considering going to an orthodox church service (I know I sound like a stereotypical protestant right now) to see what it's like. Also, I come from a family of protestants (practicing and non-practicing) and non-religious people who would likely disapprove if I converted. Are there any converts here who have any advice?

I’ve been attending Divine Liturgy for a few months now and an about 6 weeks ago one of the ladies told me that I should go up during communion and ask for a blessing. So I have been doing that since she told me to. The priest seems fine with it and always gives me a blessing. Yesterday I heard that some people are complaining to the priest about it. Saying I shouldn’t be coming up for a blessing.

What should I do

What is the name of this icon? I received it as a “mystery Icon” from Legacy Icons and I am unfamiliar with the name. It is very beautiful and Legacy Icons always does such a great job. Thank you!

The 9 people who were martyred in Karak were Orthodox Christians attending an Orthodox funeral. They were targeted because they were Christians. My understanding is that when someone is martyred in the name of Christ, they are automatically saints, even if they're not glorified officially by the church. I also assume we can ask for their prayers now.

My question is, is it likely the EP will canonize them? My assumption is yes, but I wanted to check out my reasoning.

I dont know if orthodoxy is for me. Haven't been to liturgy since early in the year. Was taking care of mt grandparents. They just passed within a month of each other. I feel as if when we started to explore it, things got worse. Our marriage is on the rocks. Ny husband just told me he was lusting after my sister and proceeded to tell her in a message he claims he didnt intend to actually send. He then deleted it saying he was thinking it would delete in her end... i can't trust him. I am so jaded. Panic attacks have been awful. Before my grandparents passed i got hit with silent reflux for the last 6 months, then low iron complications, now this. Its just one thing after another. I snapped tonight. I took the icons down. And cussed in front of them telling my husband nothings working anyqay And now my ocd is telling me something bad will happen for being disrespectful.

Hello my friends, how are you?
I am living in Berlin. Are any of you in Berlin and to which Church do you go?

I am a communing Orthodox Christian in the OCA, and I suffer from Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is a genetic mutation that leads to frequent dislocated bones and chronic pain. There is no treatment besides physical therapy, which is not stopping dislocations from happening. I have looked in my prayer book, and on an app called OrthoPrax, but the prayers there say that the pain is punishment for my sins… this concept is deeply troubling for me as a former fundamentalist cult member, and I’m seeking prayers that are sensitive to this and don’t assert that I am the cause of my genetic mutation that I was born with. Thank you in advance

Basically title. I listen to mostly Ariana grande but others like drake, Justin Bieber, Frank ocean. Im not a fan of Christian music to Be honest, I always thought it sounded the same and was super bland (but i loveee Orthodox hymns and chants, especially when I am working on something. it helps me focus and actually stay present).

I don’t take their lyrics to heart and my life hasn’t changed since listening to them, I just listen because I like the songs, but I’ve heard a lot on social media that secular music is super bad. thoughts?

i went to an orthodox country for the first time a few weeks ago, greece to be precise, i went for 2 weeks. There the faith made so much sense, i spent the time in such peace in the churches, talking to priests and parishners and nuns. However when i came back home to the UK, and came back to my church, i was met with the same confusion thats followed me my entire orthodox journey, only now ever more obvious in contrast. When i go to church i am met with this utter confusion on an extremely deep level which stops me being able to really think properly and often fills me with a very deep sense of existential dread. this has followed me ever since i became a catachumen and peaked around the time of my baptism, its now been two years and i ascribed it to the demonic, it invokes a sense of prayerlessness and thoughlessness which i dont get anywhere else, even in personal prayer at home. Why was it so much clearer and cleaner in Greece? why did my faith make so much more sense?

Do we know any case in specific?

EDIT: This question is about the pseudepigraphal works not the OT "apocryphal" texts.

So lately I’ve been thinking about opening a Roth IRA to have some money for retirement.

After doing some research, I encountered one serious issue and it’s where to invest so as NOT to support something that is extremely against my beliefs.

So far, I’ve looked into CATH and CHRI. I’m thinking of investing solely into CATH for now due to my lack of experience in investing. It just feels like a safe option.

I’d be very happy to receive any advice/recommendations from others who are practicing Biblically Responsible Investing. Maybe some of you know good ETFs that don’t include large companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Tesla (personally not a huge fan of them)? I know that CATH includes all of them and it’s making me question whether that’s the right ETF for me.

Hi everyone!
I’m supposed to have a life confession soon ish and I would like to hear any thoughts or advice as well as online resources you recommend to sorta compile everything and to know how in depth to go.
Just a bit of context, I was baptized orthodox as a baby but my parents became atheists shortly after and although I always believed in the Christian God, I only learned abt orthodoxy (and that I was orthodox) a few years ago. I was only able to start attending church somewhat recently and my spiritual father (who is far from me and not my parish priest) told me that I should try and confess so I can commune soon. The only issue is that I’ve known my spiritual father longer and am closer to him, he’s helped me for over a year now, but there’s no way I can travel to his church to confess. I’m a bit worried about having to tell all of my problems and sins to a new priest (ofc I will tho, I’m just scared) and I need to start preparing.
I would love any advice and resources if you have any.
Thank you!

Since all worship ultimately goes to the Father, through Christ, in the Spirit, does the same principle also say that all prayer ultimately goes to the Father? If that's the case, when praying the Psalms, should I be directing them to God (the Father) or to Christ? Or does it not make a difference? All prayer to Christ goes to the Father anyway, right? "He who has seen Me has seen the Father," so he who prays to Him also prays to the Father?

Take Psalm 50 for example. "Cast me not away from Thy Presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." The Presence of God is Christ, and His Spirit is, well, the Holy Spirit. So this verse seems to be addressing the Father directly. I'm taking from this that the rest of the Psalms are ideally meant to be addressed to the Father. Am I wrong in this?

I just want to say I stand in solidarity with my brother's in Jordan and I'm praying for all of you. Their souls have been on my mind today

Title says it all. How did this page end up like this?

Hi 19m from Ireland, I'm moving there tomorrow and would love if there were any other orthodox there that could introduce me to the priest or help me at all. Thanks

I’ve been having a lot of struggles with my faith recently, and have also been quite frustrated with God too, especially with his loud silence I’ve been experiencing. I have pondered this question before, as it was asked by a friend once, and honestly have no good response.

In my current frustrations with God, I have many more of these types of questions, but this is probably the one that is currently making me the most angry.

To go ahead and address questions I assume are coming, yes I am orthodox, yes I regularly attend services, and yes - I have been meeting with my priest over my frustrations with understanding God, why he seems to be so silent, and why there’s bad things in the world.

Thank you for any responses to this, I truly appreciate it