Life and Sayings of Saint Nikon of Optina (+ 1931)

St. Nikon of Optina (Feast Day - June 25)

Saint Nikon was born on September 26, 1888, the son of Metrophanes and Vera Belyaev, and was named Nicholas at his Baptism. His parents, who were both very devout, belonged to one of Moscow’s merchant families.

Even in his childhood, there were events that were like signs in his life. In 1888, St. John of Kronstadt visited the Belyaev home. After serving a moleben, he blessed the young mother and gave her his photograph with his autograph and date: “1888, the year of the birth of your son Nicholas.”

Saints and Feasts of June 25

On the twenty-fifth Febronia gave her neck to the sword.

Holy Martyr Febronia

Saint Febronia as a Model for our Lives

Holy New Martyr Prokopios the New from Varna

Holy New Martyr Prokopios the New from Varna, Bulgaria (+ 1810)

Holy New Martyr George of Krini

Holy New Martyr George of Krini (+ 1823)

Venerable Nikon of Optina

Life and Sayings of Saint Nikon of Optina (+ 1931)

Saints and Feasts of the Last Sunday of June

Synaxis of the Panagia Megalomata in Skiathos

Panagia Megalomata of Skiathos

Saints and Feasts of June 24

The mother bore the Forerunner on the twenty-fourth.

Nativity of the Honorable, Glorious Prophet, 

Forerunner and Baptist John

Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Resource Page

Synaxis of the Righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth

Synaxis of the Righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth

Holy New Martyr Panagiotis of Caesarea

Holy New Martyr Panagiotis of Caesarea in Cappadocia (+ 1765)

Venerable Athanasios Parios

Saint Athanasios Parios Resource Page

Translation of the Sacred Relic of 

Saint John the New of Suceava

Holy Great Martyr John the New of Suceava (+ 1330)

Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Resource Page

Birth of Saint John the Baptist (Feast Day - June 24)

Verses

Zachariah danced with his wife,

Not with many children, but with one great one.

The mother bore the Forerunner on the twenty-fourth.

Synaxarion for the Nativity of the Holy Forerunner and Prophet John

Homily on the Birth of the Honorable Forerunner John (St. Luke of Simferopol)

An Interpretation of the Name "JOHN"