St. Gregory the Dialogist,
commemorated March 12, was Pope of Rome in the 7th Century and was noted for
his many literary works, including his Dialogues on the monastic Saints of
Italy. To him is ascribed the writing-down of the beautiful Gregorian Chants as
well as the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, during which he is specially
commemorated.
St. Gregory, commemorated on
November 14 and the Second Sunday of Great Lent, was a pious Monk of Mt. Athos,
and later was elected to the See of Thessalonica as its Bishop. He is noted for
his defense of the contemplative life of hesychasm (inner silence), teaching
concerning the uncreated Light of Tabor and the Divine Energies of God, through
which man can have true communion with God.
St. John, commemorated December 4, was noted for his Exact Exposition of the
Orthodox Faith, a major dogmatic work, as well as his zealous defense of the
Holy Icons, for which he suffered the severing of his hand (miraculously
restored by the prayers of the Mother of God). He is also noted for his many sermons
on Feast Days, as well as numerous hymns, extensively used in Orthodox
liturgical services.
St. Mark, commemorated January 19,
accompanied the Byzantine Emperor to the Council of Florence, and
single-handedly defended the Orthodox faith against the Latins. His brilliant defense
of Orthodoxy and his letters after the Council were largely responsible for the
Orthodox rejection of this false Council.
St. Photius, commemorated February
6, was a zealous defender of Orthodoxy against the Latin error of the Filioque,
for which he suffered much. He wrote on the Procession of the Holy Spirit and
was responsible for the commissioning of Sts. Cyril and Methodius for the
conversion of the Slavs.
St. Simeon, commemorated March 12
and October 12, was noted as a brilliant spiritual writer, whose works hold a
place of honor in the Phllokalia, a major monastic spiritual work. For this
reason he endured persecution and also received the veneration of the Orthodox
Church which honors him as the New Theologian.