September 14

Born in 1384 in the village of Stauro in Cappadocia, Ephraim later settled on the island of Chios as an ascetic before moving to Nea Makri near Constantinople. He dedicated his life to prayer, fasting, and guiding pilgrims, and numerous miracles were attributed to his intercession, including healing the sick and providing protection from pirates. Captured by Catalan pirates, he endured slavery before escaping and returning to Nea Makri, where his holiness drew many followers. He was martyred by the Ottomans in 1426 during a raid on his monastery. After his death, his relics became associated with further miracles, and he remains one of the most beloved saints in the Orthodox Church.

Claudio Acquaviva (1543–1615) was a leading figure in the Catholic Counter-Reformation. He served as the 5th Superior General of the Society of Jesus from 1581 until his death. Under his leadership, the Jesuits expanded their missionary work in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. He reorganized the order's educational system and strengthened its administrative structures. Acquaviva also navigated complex political relations with European monarchies to secure royal patronage. His tenure solidified the Jesuits as a powerful intellectual and spiritual force within the Catholic Church.

Louis Désiré Maigret was ordained a priest in 1827 and joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In 1847 he was appointed Vicar Apostolic of the Sandwich Islands, overseeing the Catholic mission in Hawaii. Maigret established churches, schools, and charitable institutions across the islands, promoting education and social welfare. He navigated complex relations between the Catholic mission and the Hawaiian monarchy, securing protections for his congregations. His leadership helped lay the foundations for the modern Catholic Church in Hawaii. Maigret died in 1882, remembered for his dedication to missionary service in the Pacific.

Anton Mahnič was born in 1850 in present-day Slovenia and ordained a priest in 1876. He was appointed bishop of Krk in 1896, where he championed Catholic Action and defended the Church against modernist ideologies. A prolific writer, he founded influential Catholic journals and published works on philosophy and theology. His efforts helped shape Catholic discourse across the Austro-Hungarian Empire and beyond. Mahnič argued for the integration of faith within modern society, leaving a lasting intellectual legacy. He remained an active leader until his death in 1920, remembered as a key figure in Central European religious thought.

Born in 1880, Benjamin rose through the ranks of the Russian Orthodox Church to become a bishop. He embarked on missionary journeys deep into Siberia, bringing spiritual guidance to isolated communities. Amidst political upheaval and religious persecution, he remained unwavering in his faith and mission. Benjamin founded churches and schools, helping preserve local traditions and strengthen community bonds. He meticulously recorded cultural practices, ensuring they would not be lost to history. His unwavering dedication left a lasting legacy that continued to inspire clergy after his death in 1961.

Edmund Szoka was born in 1927 and ordained as a priest in 1954. He became the first American Archbishop of Detroit in 1981, overseeing significant diocesan growth and outreach initiatives. In 1990 he was called to Vatican service as President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and Governor of Vatican City, where he managed the affairs of the Holy See’s sovereign territory. Later he served as President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, guiding financial reforms and transparency efforts. Created cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1991, he was respected for his leadership and administrative acumen within the Church. He continued advising the Vatican on governance until his death in 2014.