St. Reginos of Skopelos

St. Réginos was born in Livadeia in central Greece, in the late 3rd century to Christian parents, who instilled in him the love of virtue and zeal for truth. When the old Bishop of Skopelos passed away, Saint Réginos was acclaimed as the new Bishop by all of the people. As the Arian heresy continued to rage after the Council of Nicaea (325), a new council was called at Sardica (now Sofia, Bulgaria) in 343, during which St. Réginos distinguished himself by his ability to refute the heretics.

In the year 361 a persecution broke out against the Christians under Emperor Julian the Apostate. The Prefect of Greece had Bishop Reginos and other prominent Christians arrested. The Prefect alternated between words of flattery and threats to try to persuade the Bishop to deny the Lord Jesus, thinking that by his conversion to paganism many would follow. However, all this was done in vain, for it only increased his zeal to remain steadfast in the truth. Seeing his resolve, the Prefect had Bishop Reginos beheaded on February 25, 362.

 

The beheading of St. Réginos the Martyr 

He is commemorated on February 25, which is a local holiday on the island of Skopelos . At the Monastery of Saint Réginos, which houses the relics of the saint, thousands of faithful gather each year on February 25 from the surrounding islands of Skiathos and Alonissos as well as from the coastal port city of Volos, to pay homage to the martyr. The saint has shown his love for his flock by performing several miracles of healing according to the locals, several of which name their children after him (Réginos or Regina).

The procession of the old treasured icon of Saint Reginos at "Old Bridge" where he was beheaded

The church of Saint Reginos, the patron saint of Skopelos, was rebuilt in 1728, most likely over the ruins of an old Byzantine monastery, and is one of the island’s most important attractions. In the courtyard of the present-day church, which was built in 1960, the visiting worshipers can see the sarcophagus of Saint Reginos, a martyr and first bishop of the island (4th c. AD). The sacred relics of Saint Reginos are kept at the Nativity Metropolitan Cathedral (Genissi Christou). During the persecutions under Julian the Apostate, Saint Reginos was martyred. Skopelitians buried the holy relics of the bishop a few kilometers southwest of the diocese. During the 5th or 6th century, the first church of the island was built next to the tomb of the patron saint.

The tomb of Saint Reginos in his Monastery at the Nativity Metropolitan Cathedral

 A sacred relic of Saint Reginos, kept in the Sacred Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ

The stone-built katholikon of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Reginos

The ancient skete/shrine of Saint Reginos in Pyrgos, Greece

The interior of the katholikon of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Reginos

Saint Reginos is the patron saint of Skopelos in Greece

Skopelos Island, Greece

St. Reginos of Scopelos

One way to commemorate Saint Reginos's Feast Day it to color a dragon that he fought

Try and recreated food specialties of the island which include a local cheese pie, and the tasteful blackfish casserole with onions (stifado). 

Traditional Cheese pie of Skopelos 

Skepelos Blackfish Stew 

Greek Salad with local Feta (Choriatiki)

Avgato Plum Preserve

St. Helena of Serbia

Saint Helena (Elena) was a pious mother to her sons Stephen Milutin and Dragutin. Saint Stefan was the younger son of king Stefan Urosh I, and grandson of First-Crowned King Saint Stefan (Comm. 24 September). He ruled Serbia from 1275 to 1320. Stefan Miliutin received the throne from his elder brother Dragutin, a true Christian, who after a short reign transferred power over to his brother, and he himself in loving solitude withdrew to Srem, where he did secret ascetic deeds in a grave-pit, dug by his own hand. During his righteous life, Saint Dragutin toiled much over converting the heretic Bogomils to the true faith. His death occurred on 2 March 1316.

Saint Stephen (Stefan) Miliutin, King of Serbia, his brother Dragutin, and their mother Elena (Helen):

She devoted her whole life to religious deeds after the death of her husband. She built a shelter for the poor, and a monastery for those who wished to live in purity and virginity. Near the city of Spich, she built the Rechesk monastery and endowed it with the necessities.

Before her death, Saint Helen received monastic tonsure and departed to the Lord on February 8, 1306.