The life of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John
The holy, glorious and all-praised Apostle and Evangelist John (also John the Theologian or John the Divine) was one of the original twelve Apostles, and wrote several of the books of the New Testament: the Gospel bearing his name; three Canonical Letters: I John, II John, and III John; and the Book of Revelation.
His primary feast day is celebrated on May 8, that of the twelve apostles on June 30, and his repose on September 26. His symbol is the eagle.
St. John was the son of Salome the myrrh-bearer and Zebedee, a fisherman. His brother was St. James, another apostle. In his own Gospel account, he refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" rther than use his name. He was the youngest of the twelve apostles, and especially close to the Lord. This closeness is often portrayed in icons of the mystical supper, where St. John leans on Jesus. He was present for the Transfiguration of Christ with Peter and his brother James.
St. John was exiled to the island of Patmos by Emperor Domitian around 90-95 A.D., and it was there that he received and wrote the Book of Revelation. Account of the miracle that occurred at his grave: When over 100 years old, St. John took seven disciples outside of Ephesus and had them dig a grave in the shape of a cross. St. John then went into the grave, and the disciples buried him there, alive. Later on, when his grave was opened, St. John's body was not there. On May 8 of each year, dust rises up from his grave, by which the sick are healed of various diseases.
His primary feast day is celebrated on May 8, that of the twelve apostles on June 30, and his repose on September 26. His symbol is the eagle.
St. John was the son of Salome the myrrh-bearer and Zebedee, a fisherman. His brother was St. James, another apostle. In his own Gospel account, he refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" rther than use his name. He was the youngest of the twelve apostles, and especially close to the Lord. This closeness is often portrayed in icons of the mystical supper, where St. John leans on Jesus. He was present for the Transfiguration of Christ with Peter and his brother James.
St. John was exiled to the island of Patmos by Emperor Domitian around 90-95 A.D., and it was there that he received and wrote the Book of Revelation. Account of the miracle that occurred at his grave: When over 100 years old, St. John took seven disciples outside of Ephesus and had them dig a grave in the shape of a cross. St. John then went into the grave, and the disciples buried him there, alive. Later on, when his grave was opened, St. John's body was not there. On May 8 of each year, dust rises up from his grave, by which the sick are healed of various diseases.
The life of St Giles
St Giles (c. 650 – c. 710) was a Greek Christian hermit saint from Athens, who travelled to the West of Europe (France). He settled in the regions of Provence and Septimania. His tomb is in the Giles Abbey which he is said to founded, in Saint-Gilles-du-Gard.
His early history, as given in the Legenda Aurea (Golden Legend), links him with Arles, but finally he withdrew deep into the forest near Nîmes, where in the greatest solitude he spent many years, his sole companion being a deer, or red deer, who in some stories sustained him on her milk. Giles ate a vegetarian diet. This retreat was finally discovered by the king's hunters, who had pursued the hind to its place of refuge. An arrow shot at the deer wounded the saint instead, who afterwards became a patron of cripples. The king, who by legend was Wamba, an anachronistic Visigoth, but who must have been (at least in the original story) a Frank due to the historical setting, conceived a high esteem for the hermit, whose humility rejected all honours save some disciples, and built him a monastery in his valley, Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, which he placed under the Benedictine rule. Here Giles died in the early part of the 8th century, with the highest repute for sanctity and miracles.
St Giles (c. 650 – c. 710) was a Greek Christian hermit saint from Athens, who travelled to the West of Europe (France). He settled in the regions of Provence and Septimania. His tomb is in the Giles Abbey which he is said to founded, in Saint-Gilles-du-Gard.
His early history, as given in the Legenda Aurea (Golden Legend), links him with Arles, but finally he withdrew deep into the forest near Nîmes, where in the greatest solitude he spent many years, his sole companion being a deer, or red deer, who in some stories sustained him on her milk. Giles ate a vegetarian diet. This retreat was finally discovered by the king's hunters, who had pursued the hind to its place of refuge. An arrow shot at the deer wounded the saint instead, who afterwards became a patron of cripples. The king, who by legend was Wamba, an anachronistic Visigoth, but who must have been (at least in the original story) a Frank due to the historical setting, conceived a high esteem for the hermit, whose humility rejected all honours save some disciples, and built him a monastery in his valley, Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, which he placed under the Benedictine rule. Here Giles died in the early part of the 8th century, with the highest repute for sanctity and miracles.
(extract from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Giles)