♱Daily Synaxarium ♱Wednesday, August 19, 2026translated

On this day, the Holy Church commemorates:

*The great among the martyrs, Andrew, the commander of the army, and those with him.*The martyrs Timothy, Agapius, and Thecla of Gaza.*The martyrs Eutychianus and Strategios.*The righteous Saint Theophanes the Little Wonderworker.*Our venerable father among Saints Pitirim, Bishop of Parm.*The righteous Saint Gennadius of Kostroma.*The new one among the martyrs. Nicholas Lebedev of Russia. *Saint Mokhtius of England.

✤ Saint Theophanes the Little Wonderworker ✤

He was born at the beginning of the sixteenth century in Ioannina, Epirus, to a pious family. He joined the Dochiariou Monastery, on Holy Mountain Athos, as a young man. He was an example in his behavior in holy virtues, especially in his love for his brothers in Christ. He was chosen as head of the monastery. He led his spiritual flock with all wisdom, presenting himself as a good example without resorting to rebuking anyone. He learned, after a while, that his nephew/sister's son had fallen into the hands of the Turks and they had taken him to Constantinople. He feared that he would faint and deny faith in Christ, so he headed to the capital. By the grace of God, he was able to release him later and take him with him to the Holy Mountain, where he made him a monk despite his young age. The monks pressured him for fear of retaliation from the Turks, so he and his nephew/nephew left Mount Athos. He took refuge in Isket, a glorious sanctuary near Perea, where the reputation of his piety spread and many asked to join him. Theophanes organized the company on the Athosian heritage and built a church for the Mother of God.…