February 6
Photios was a great beacon of the Church. He was a relative of the emperor and a grandson of the glorious Patriarch Tarasius. He vigorously protected the Church from papal love of power and other Roman distortions of the Faith. In six days he went through all the ecclesiastical ranks, rising from a layman to patriarch. He was consecrated Patriarch on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ in the year 857, and he reposed in the Lord in the year 891.
- St. Photios: From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Source: St. Nikolai Velimirovic, The Prologue of Ohrid – Volume One.
Apolytikion
As a teacher to the world, being one with the Apostles, intercede with the Lord of all, O Photios, that He may grant the world peace, and to our souls His great mercy.
Kontakion
Far-reaching beacon of the Church and God, inspired Guide of the Orthodox, you are now crowned with the flowers of song. You are the divine words of the Spirit’s harp, the strong adversary of heresy and to whom we cry, “Hail all-honorable Photios.”
