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♱Daily Synaxarium ♱Sunday, July 19, 2026translated

July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

On this day, the Holy Church commemorates:

*The righteous Saint Theos of Antioch. *The righteous Saint Macrina and her four companions. *Baran Theodoros of Edessa and his nephew Michael the Martyr. *The righteous Saint Barlaam the Bald Mountain. *Our venerable father among the saints, Gregory Panedos the Confessor. *The righteous Saint Theocles of Egypt. *Martyr Romanos, Prince of Ryazan. *The righteous Saint Paisios of the Cave Lavra. *Serbian Saints Stephen and Milica. *Transfer of the relics and canonization of Saint Seraphim of Sarovsky.

✤ Saint Barlaam of the Balqa Mountain in Antioch (6th century AD) ✤

We took his biography from ancient Antiochian manuscripts, some of which date back to the thirteenth century AD.

Selected vessel

Saint Barlaam was born in a village called Al-Lahiya, “in the holy mountain of Lakam.” When he reached the age of monasticism he loved monasticism, so he went to it and wore an angelic sash. From that time on, he made love for God his main concern. He was charmed by the divine presence and beautified by divine providence. Fasting, staying up late, and working out for him became “without hardship or pain.” He was seen physically present on earth while his mind was with his God and Master in heaven.

To Jerusalem

Once, it occurred to him to go to Jerusalem to seek blessings. This thought was a blessing within him. So he stood up and prayed, saying: O Lord, I am walking to your holy house, so fulfill your will and desire in me....

Source: Site: أبرشية زحلة وبعلبك · Read the full story →

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Teodora PopescuI wonder what life was like in that village called "al-Luhayya" in Lukkam mountain. Saint Barlaam went to Jerusalem only because of the grace that was working in him, not because of any idea of his - it seems to me the most beautiful thing in the whole story. Would there still be a trace of his monastery there?

Десислава ИвановаI wonder what it was like in this village of al-Luhaiya in the Lukkam mountains, must have been a rather harsh place for hermitage. I liked the most that the idea of going to Jerusalem was not his, but of grace, as it says. Teodora, you are right, I wonder if there is any trace of his monastery there.

Иванка ИвановаYes, I also thought about how desolate it must have been in al-Luhaiya - probably only stones and wind, like a real hermitage. I like how he rightly emphasized that the idea of Jerusalem came from grace and not from his head. Theodora, do you know if there are any ruins left of his monastery or if it is all gone?