♱Daily Synaxarium ♱Sunday, July 12, 2026translated

On this day, the Holy Church commemorates:

*The martyrs Proclus and Hilarion. *Martyr Serapion of New Alexandria. *Saint Michael the Cappadocian. *Saint Veronica, who bleeds. *The martyrs Theodoros and John of Kiev. *Our venerable father among the saints, Serapius, Bishop of Vladimir. *The righteous Saint Simon Volomsk of Russia. *The holy saints John, Euphemia, and Gabriel the Georgians. *Martyr among the Virgins, Marciana of Toledo, Spain. *Martyrs Paulinus of Antioch and his company. *The righteous Saint Paisios of Athos.

✤ Saint Martyrs Theodoros of Kiev and his son John (10th century AD) ✤

Since Saint Vladimir was still a pagan, he wanted to offer a human sacrifice to the god Perun, so he chose John. Theodoros, who had previously been baptized as a Christian, did not want to allow him to do so. After receiving a response, Vladimir killed him and his son and destroyed his house. When he was converted and baptized, he built the first church in the place. As for their remains, they were taken to the caves of Saint Anthony of Kiev. Theodoros and John are considered the first martyrs in the Russian Church, and their intercession is asked by barren women or those who suffer from difficulties during pregnancy.