The Holy Prophet Haggai -- was the 10th of the Twelve Minor
Prophets. He was of the Tribe of Levi and he prophesied during
the times of the Persian emperor Darius Hystaspis (prior to 500
B.C.). Upon the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity,
he persuaded the people to build the Second Jerusalem Temple and
he proclaimed, that in this Temple was to "appear the Word
Without-Beginning in the finality of times".
The Martyr Marinus suffered in Rome in about the year 283
(other sources suggest the years 217-218). Refusing to offer sacrifice
to idols, Saint Marinus was beheaded after cruel tortures.
The Nun Sophia, in the world Solomonia, a great-princess,
was the daughter of the boyar-noble Yurii Konstantinovich Saburov.
In the year 1505 she was chosen as bride by the heir to the throne,
the future great-prince Vasilii Ioannovich. Their marriage was
unhappy, because Solomonia remained childless. In order to have
an heir, great-prince Vasilii Ioannovich decided to wed a second
time (to Elena Glinsky) and on 25 November 1525 he ordered Solomonia
to be tonsured a nun. Forcibly monasticised with the name Sophia,
Solomonia was sent under guard to the Suzdal' Pokrov-Protection
convent, where by ascetic deeds she banished from her heart worldly
thoughts, and totally dedicated herself to God. Prince Kurbsky
calls the blessed princess "a Nun Martyress". In the
manuscripts of the Saints she is termed as "the holy Righteous
Princess Sophia the Monastic, for she did dwell at the Pokrov
monastery convent, a wonderworker". Under tsar Feodor Ioannovich
they esteemed her as a saint. Tsaritsa Irina Feodorovna sent to
Suzdal', "to Great-Princess Solomonida, in other regards
Sophia, a velvet veil with depiction of the Saviour and other
saints". Patriarch Joseph wrote to the Suzdal' archbishop
Serapion about the singing over Sophia of panikhidas and moliebens.
The Nun Sophia reposed to God in the year 1542. In the descriptions
by the Suzdal' sacristan Ananii there occur several instances
of miraculous healings at the grave of the Nun Sophia.
The Blessed Empress Theophania was the first spouse of the
emperor Leo VI the Wise (886-911). She was slandered as having
lived together with a man, being with him even after ascending
the throne, and she was locked away in prison for three years.
Receiving her freedom, she spent her life in prayer and fasting.
Her gentleness, charity and heartfelt contrition for sins glorified
her name among her contemporaries. Theophania died in either the
year 893 or 894.