Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints
- Stephen of Surosh, bishop
- Nino, virgin
- Valerian and other martyrs in Africa
- Paul of Latros
- Mary di Rosa, foundress
- Frances Schervier, foundress
St. Stephen of Surosh (ca. 760 A.D.) was born in Cappadocia, Asia Minor. He was named bishop of Surosh in the Crimea and was exiled for upholding the veneration of relics during the persecution of iconoclast Emperor Leo III. Stephen returned when Constantine became Emperor in 740 A.D., and devoted himself to missionary work among the Slavs, Khazars and Varangians.
St. Mary di Rosa (1813-1855 A.D.) and Blessed Frances Schervier (1819-1876 A.D.) are both foundresses of religious congregations. Mary di Rosa is the foundress of the Handmaids of Charity while Frances Schervier is the foundress of the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis.
The Handmaids of Charity are devoted to the care of the sick. The congregation was given papal approval in 1850 A.D. St. Mary di Rosa was canonized in 1954 A.D.
The Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis was approved by the archbishop of Cologne. It consisted of two "families", one devoted to the contemplative life and the other to the active apostolate.
December 15 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar
- St. Eleutherius, Priest-Martyr
- Paul of Latra
St. Paul of Latra (or Latros) is both in the Roman Calendar and the Byzantine Calendar of Saints. He was the son of an officer in the imperial army. His father died in battle and when his mother died, his brother Basil persuaded him to become a monk at Karia on Mount Olympus. When Paul's abbot died, he became a hermit on Mount Latros in Bithynia. His holiness attracted followers and so Paul organized them into a laura. After 12 years, he retired further into the mountain fastness in search of greater solitude and then into a cave on the island of Samos. He spent the rest of his life in prayer and spiritual exercises. St. Paul of Latra died in 956 A.D.
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