Saint Joannicus of Mount Olympus, also known as Joannicius the Great, Joannicus of Olympus, Joannicus of Uludag, Ioannikios, Ioannikos, or Ioninicus, was born around the year 754 in Bithynia, in modern-day Turkey. In his youth, he worked as a swineherd, but he was known to be lazy and not particularly dedicated to his duties. However, as fate would have it, a friend who had become a monk led...
Saint Acindynus suffered martyrdom in Persia along with Saints Pegasias, Aphthonius, Elpidephorus, Anempodistus, and 7,000 other Christians at the time of King Sapor II (310-381). These saints were Sapor’s courtiers, and were secret Christians. When the king began his persecution against Christians, envious pagans denounced them to him. Summoned to Sapor’s presence for trial, the...
Rachel is an eminent figure in the Old Testament who played a significant role as an influential Jewish matriarch. She is best known as the wife of Jacob, one of the Patriarchs of Israel. Rachel's life was marred by a deep personal struggle - her inability to conceive children, which was unfortunately considered a sign of God's disfavor during those times. However, despite this...
Blessed Christopher of Romagna, also known as Christopher of Romandiola, Christopher of Cahors, or Christopher of Romagnola, was born around 1172 in Romandiola, Italy. He lived during a period of great religious fervor, and at the age of 40, he made the courageous decision to leave his parish ministry behind and join the early Franciscan Friars Minor. It was during this time that he had the...
Blessed Benvenuta Bojani, also known as Benvenuta Boiani, was born on 4 May 1254 in Cividale del Friuli, Italy. She was the youngest of seven daughters, and from a young age, she displayed a deep aversion to worldly and vain pursuits. So committed was she to a life of self-denial that, at the tender age of twelve, Benvenuta began voluntarily wearing hair shirts and a rope belt. However, as she...