Today we celebrated All Saints of North America!
Above – 3 Icons of saints celebrated today: Synaxis of All Saints of America, 3rd century physicians Sts. Cosmas and Damian and St. Nikolai Velimirovich.
Excellent Resource and List of North American Saints
Children’s Activity Book – North American Saints
Come, let us praise the saints of North America, holy hierarchs, venerable monastics, and glorious martyrs, pious men, women, and children, both known and unknown! Through their words and deeds in various walks of life, by the grace of the Spirit they achieved true holiness. As they now stand before Christ Who glorified them, and they pray for us who celebrate their memory with love… ~ Stichos 6; Stichera of the North American Saints
Rejoice… leap for joy, O waters of the Great Lakes; rise up, O fertile plains of Canada; for the elect of Christ who dwelt in you are glorified, men and women who left their homes for a new land! With faith, hope and patience as their armour, they courageously fought the good fight. Comforted by the beauty of the Orthodox Faith… ~ Stichos 1; Stichera of the North American Saints
It’s wonderful to joyfully celebrate so great and shining cloud of witnesses in our land!
When I first came to Orthodoxy, I was greatly influenced by reading the life of the recently canonized (1980) young indigenous martyr, St. Peter the Aleut. (Seen on the far right of the Synaxis of the Saints of America icon) He touched my heart, and I love him dearly.
Recent – Canonization of Matushka Olga of Alaska
Through the prayers of Matushka Olga and of all the Saints who have shone forth in North America, may the Lord grant His mercy and blessings.
Amen!