Orthodox Saint Orestes History and Name Day Information

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Learning about the saints is an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. Each of these saints’ lives are celebrated each year and their feast days are incorporated into the church calendar. Some people are named after the saints, and those who are will celebrate their name day on the saints’ feast days.

Saint Orestes is one of these saints. His feast day is celebrated on November 10th of each year. Here’s more information about who he was and the actions in his life that caused him to become a saint:

About Saint Orestes

Saint Orestes, also known as Saint Edistus, Aristus, or Horestes, played a part in the our church history during the early days of the church. He was alive during a time when Christians were regularly persecuted for their beliefs. In fact, he would eventually suffer a martyr’s death. He is also referred to as the Martyr Orestes or Orestes the Martyr of Cappadocia.

This saint originally came from Cappadocia. Very little is known about his life. However, we do know that he was born in Tyana, which was located in Cappadocia. Cappadocia was located in Anatolia, which is now a part of modern-day Turkey. He was persecuted aggressively. When leadership discovered that he was a Christian, they tied him to a horse and dragged him through the streets. He perished as the result of his wounds, thus giving his life up for his beliefs.

Hymn of Saint Orestes

Saint Orestes’s feast day is on November 1oth of each year. Here are the hymns that are chanted or sung on his feast day.

Kontakion of Martyr Orestes-Second Tone

Thine invincibility in contest, O Martyr, was accepted and rewarded by Christ, the Prize-bestower; and He hath granted thee the crown of life and the divine power to work healings, O Orestes, since He is the Friend of man.

Saint Orestes  is one of the early saints of the Orthodox Christian Church. His feast day is on November 10th of each year.  Check the Name Day page for more information about other Orthodox Christian name days.

Sources:

Edistus

Orestes the Martyr of Cappadocia (also the source for the image above)

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This post was written by Greek Boston