Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and the Nations

Just as the Virgin Mary, having first surrendered herself to the providence of God, claimed her Annunciation – that is, she received the most joyful, the most shocking news that heaven ever whispered to earth – so we, too, need to surrender ourselves to the providence of God, to stand by His side, to ask Him to strengthen us in our ministry and to support us in our efforts to achieve the Annunciation of the Gentiles…

The Bishop of Gaza Saint Porphyry the Missionary

The Bishop of Gaza Saint Porphyry the Missionary

Porphyrios, born and bred in Thessaloniki, came into the world in 347 AD. His noble and wealthy parents certainly made sure that their first-born offspring received a remarkable education. Obedient to the heavenly calling, the lad, at the age of twenty-five, abandoned his comfortable life and worldly career, departing for the desert of Egypt, the…