Lives of the Saints

Ep. 1 · The Life and Work of St. Nicholas of Japan

Life of Saint Nicolas of Japan (1836 -1912).St. Nicholas is recognized as a model missionary because he fully immersed himself in Japanese life and learned the language, religion, customs, and culture of Japan in his effort to get close to the people. He also translated many scriptural, liturgical, and theological texts into Japanese. His memory is celebrated on February 3 or February 16 (old calendar).

Ep. 2 · The Life of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg

Xenia lived most of her life in eighteenth-century Russia as a homeless fool-for-Christ and displayed remarkable spiritual gifts including clairvoyance. At first, some of the people of St. Petersburg mocked and ridiculed her as a homeless vagabond. Xenia bore this with patience and eventually, they began to realize her spiritual gifts and connection with God despite her attempts to hide her asceticism.

Ep. 3 · St. Philoumenos: The Guardian of Jacob's Well

Our video is about St. Philoumenos, the guardian of Jacob’s Well. St. Philoumenos was the Igumen of the Orthodox monastery of Jacob's Well near the city of Samaria, now called Nablus (Neapolis), in the West Bank, and was martyred on Nov. 16th,1979. His life is a reminder that martyrdom for Christ is not of the past from the Pagan Roman period, ottoman, or even Communist times, but is a reality even today. The Lord allows for the creation of martyrs, even during these modern times, and preserves their bodies incorrupt and fragrant, thus declaring to us that He is present in our lives even now, performing wondrous works according to His divine will and mercy.

Ep. 4 · Born for Adversity: The Life of St. Olympias the Deaconess

Saint Olympia, the Deaconess, lived in Constantinople during the fourth century. The Church commemorates her feast day on July 25th. Learn more about her life in our video!

Ep. 5 · St. Isaac the Syrian and the Fullness of the Desert

St. Isaac of Syria was a desert monastic who became the Bishop of Nineveh. The great luminary of the life of stillness, he became a monk at a young age. He was consecrated Bishop of Nineveh but after five months received permission to return to solitude.

Ep. 6 · From Nobility to Asceticism: St. Cloud the Ascetic from Paris

Our video about Saint Clodoald (Latin: C(h)lodoaldus, Cloudus; reconstructed Frankish: *Hlōdōwald; 522–c.560 AD), better known as Saint Cloud, was a Merovingian prince, grandson of Clovis I and son of Chlodomer, who preferred to renounce royalty and became a hermit and monk. He is venerated as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Ep. 7 · Human Transformation through Repentance: St. Mary of Egypt

Repentance is the tearing down of the wall that separates us from God. It is like the removal of a force field that prevents us from entering His Kingdom. It begins with the recognition of our own fallen nature and continues as we reconnect with our Creator. Each year during Great Lent, the church holds before us an enduring example of repentance and a reflection of the radical change that can occur in a human being with the life of St. Mary of Egypt.

Ep. 8 · Islam, Holy Icons & St. John of Damascus

St. John of Damascus, one of the great Church Fathers, lived in a time of much change and turmoil. In a time when Orthodox doctrine was maturing, St. John confronted challenges from both outside and inside the church.

Ep. 9 · Hear Me with Fire: The Life of Prophet Elijah

"Hear Me with Fire: The Life of Prophet Elijah" It's about the life and significance of the fiery prophet Elijah, the solitary and ascetical figure from the Old Testament who worked wonders like a second Moses and also prefigured events and people later seen in the New Testament. He battled false prophets on Mount Carmel, encountered God in a gentle breeze on Mount Sinai, ascended into heaven in a fiery chariot, and later spoke with Christ (along with Moses) at the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. And just as Elijah went from mountain to mountain on his journey, hopefully, you too will be inspired by his story as you struggle along the upward path to the kingdom of God.

Ep. 10 · A Boy's Journey to Sainthood: St. Paisios the Athonite

Trisagion Film's first video made specifically for children. It's a story taken from the childhood of St. Paisios the Athonite (known as Arsenios before becoming a monk) when he found himself challenged by a friend who said that Jesus was just a man. Watch to see and hear how young Arsenios responded to such a challenge. Please comment and share this video. We hope to produce more in the future. A special thanks to Newrome Press for sharing artwork from their book "A Boy's Journey to Sainthood: St. Paisios the Athonite."