I thought to begin a series of posts, each highlighting a region of the world and its local Saints. As is clear, the light of Christ has reached the farthest reaches of the earth, and thus, there is not one area which has not produced, as fruit of the Holy Spirit, Orthodox Saints. Lesvos is apparently one of the largest islands of Greece, and I happened to come across much information online about the numerous Saints that have shone from it. Also note, if you are have a preference for information about Saints from a region of your interest, please post to let me know, and I will do what I can to provide what info I can gather online. May Christ have mercy on us all and save us, through the prayers of our Holy Fathers!
All Saints of Lesvos (Mytilene), Greece (amateur translation)
The holy island of Lesvos, besides giving rise to men of the spirit, of the arts and of the sciences, through the blessing of God has revealed at least 40 Saints, who adorn and make radiant the Orthodox calendar of our Church. Some of them were from Lesvos, who lived godly lives and fell asleep in the Lord or were martyred on the island. Others were from other places, but came to Lesvos, where they were martyred, and hallowed the ground through their martyrical blood.
Every year, the memory of All Saints of Lesvos is celebrated the Sunday after the Sunday of All Saints with all radiance and devotion, and is proceeded by a series of festal events, in which the pious people of Lesvos and many visitors to the island, take part.
Older Saints of Lesvos (20)
The Five Women Martyrs (+4th century) – April 5
St. Alexander Archbishop of Methymna (+5th century) – November 30
St. David the Confessor (+795) – February 1
St. George of Mytilene, the Worker of Signs (+821) – April 7
St. Symeon the New Stylite of Lesvos (+844) – September 1 / February 1
St. George of Mytilene, the Confessor (+846) – February 1 / May 16
St. Theophanes Sigrianes (+1000)
St. Gregory Bishop of Assos (+1130) – July 10 / Sunday after November 10 (the uncovering of his relics)
St. Olympia the Nun (+1235) – May 11
St. Euphrosyne the Nun (+1235) – May 11
New Martyrs of Lesvos (20)
The Righteous Basileios, the Mayor of Thermi and Father of St. Irene (+1463) – April 9 / Tuesday of Bright Week
The Righteous Maria, the Mother of St. Irene (+1463) – April 9 / Tuesday of Bright Week
The Righteous Theodore, the teacher of Thermi, martyred after St. Raphael (+1463) – April 9 / Tuesday of Bright Week
St. Doukas the Tailor (+1564)
St. Parthenios Patriarch of Constantinople (+1657)
St. George Pasgianos (+1693) – February 14
St. George (Tzortzes) the Iberian (+1770) – January 2
St. Nicholas of Mytilene (+1771) – January 16
St. Theodore the Byzantine (+1795) – February 17 (his martyrdom) / The 4
th Sunday of Pascha (Sunday of the Paralytic) (the uncovering of his relics and his miraculous deliverance of the island from the plague in 1823)
St. George of Chios (+1807) – November 26
St. Demetrios from Larissa (+1809)
St. Anastasios Paneras (+1806) – August 10
St. Demetrios Mpegiazes (+1816) – August 10
St. Euthymios Bishop of Zelon (+1921) – May 29
(A total of 40 Saints)
Apolytikion of All Saints of Lesvos in the Third Tone (amateur translation)
A divine assembly of noble righteous ones, and band of archpriests, and unassailable rank of martyrs, the island of Lesvos praises as it dances, for they magnified Christ in her, and they intercede that true peace and great mercy may be granted to our souls.
(http://leimwnas.blogspot.com/2011/06/26-2011.html) Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!