The Saints of God model for us what a human being looks like when someone lives a life dedicated to God. The Saints are men, women, and even children who following their death, the Church recognized in a more formal way the sanctity the lives of these holy people. Some saints were great martyrs such as Demetrious of Thessalonica martyred (c.a. 306) are still remembered today. Wonderful bishops like St. Nicholas of Myra in Lycia who died (c.a. 343). We have saints who lived the most sinful lives and yet lived a life of complete repentance later and became holy people – St. Mary of Egypt who died (c.a. 421) – a great model of repentance. The seven youth of Ephesus, also known as the seven sleepers, who refused to sacrifice to pagan gods (actually demons). They hid in a cave to prepare for martyrdom and the Emperor Decius closed in the cave and the youths slept for 184 years before being discovered and a woke during the time of the Emperor Theodosius.

     Many of our Saints who lived in ancient times are still remembered and celebrated today! We also have more modern saints who also live extraordinary live such as our local Saint – John of Shanghai and San Francisco who was known in his life as a living saint by everyone who knew him. He died in 1966 and his incorporate remains lie in the great Cathedral the Joy of All Who Sorrow in San Francisco. Finally, our most recent saint – our Holy Mother Olga of Kwethluk Alaska! Where is Kwethluk? Now the entire universe knows as a great saint comes from this simple Alaskan village near Bethel Alaska. What fantastic life did she live? She was a great mother to her children and several villages that her husband took care of in his priestly ministry. She may not be spectacular in the eye of the world – but then again the world could not produce such great luminaries who lived the life of the church in a very simple way and yet that simple way was revealed as a great way in which God was glorified! We do not have to walk on water, raise the dead or sleep for 184 years – we “simply” live the life of the Church in the best way we can and God will reveal in time His Saints.