Today, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople and of Rev. Vukolos, Bishop of Smyrna. Rev. Vukolos was a disciple of St. Apostle John the Theologian, who consecrated him bishop of the city of Smyrna. In Smyrna at that time there were few baptized people, but among all St. Vukolos distinguished himself with his virtues. The saint devoted his entire life to the service of God.
Today, everyone with the names: Dorothea, Ognyan, Ognyana, Iskra, Iskren, Plamen, Plamena, Svetla, Svetlana, Svetozar, Svetlozar, Svetoslav, Svetoslava, Photius, Fotin, Fotina and Fotyo celebrate their name day.
St. Photius was a patriarch of Constantinople who fought for the purity of the Christian faith. He is connected with Bulgarian history, because it was Patriarch Photius who convinced Constantine the Philosopher to preach Christianity among the Slavs.
Photius wrote an extremely valuable historical document - an extensive message on the Christian faith and life, addressed to the Bulgarian Tsar Boris I.
He died in exile on February 6, 891.
Today we also honor the memory of the martyr Dorothea. In the third century, when Christians were cruelly persecuted, there lived in the city of Caesarea Cappadocia a young Christian named Dorothea. She was very beautiful; her wisdom amazed everyone who knew her; but she was especially distinguished by Christian virtues and zeal for the law of the Lord. She renounced the joys of life and devoted herself completely to God, striving to serve Him with good deeds and a righteous life.
She was subjected to cruel tortures to renounce her faith by the governor of the Cappadocian region - Sapricius, but she persevered to the end. When finally the ruler saw that she would not be inclined to renounce Christ, he sentenced her to death. When the holy martyr heard the death sentence, she joyfully cried out: "Thank You, Lord, for calling me to Your paradise and introducing me to Your palace!" She was led to death. Dorothea bowed her head under the sword and her pure soul flew to the Lord.