Saint Stephen the Confessor, Archbishop of Sourozh

St. Stephen of Sourozh (Feast Day - December 15)

Saint Stephen the Confessor, Archbishop of Surrentium (Sourozh), was a native of Cappadocia and was educated at Constantinople in the eighth century. After receiving the monastic tonsure, he withdrew into the wilderness, where he lived for thirty years in ascetic deeds.

Patriarch Germanos of Constantinople (May 12) heard of Stephen’s humility and virtuous life, and wished to meet him. He was so impressed with Stephen that he consecrated him Bishop of the city of Surrentium (presently the city of Sudak in the Crimea). Within five years, Saint Stephen’s ministry was so fruitful that no heretics or unbaptized pagans remained in Surrentium or its environs.

Church of the Holy Twelve Apostles in Sudak of Crimea

The Church of the Holy Twelve Apostles is a monument of architecture that is part of the complex of a medieval Genoese fortress in Sudak of Crimea.

The Church of the Twelve Apostles is located at the base of Mount Palvani-Oba, next to Astragver Tower, its other name is the Port Tower. The church, built in the Byzantine style, is referred to in the Middle Ages (13th-15th centuries) as being built for the Greek community of medieval Sudak.

Translation of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs Inna, Pinna and Rimma

Translation of the Relics of Sts. Inna, Pinna and Rimma (Feast Day - June 20)

The Holy Martyrs Inna, Pinna, and Rimma were from Scythia. Being disciples of the Apostle Andrew, they helped convert many Goths who had settled around the Danube River, near Varna in Bulgaria. After being captured by the idolatrous barbarians, they were brought before the leader of the land. Having confessed Christ, they were sentenced to die by being exposed to the cold.