July 8, 2016. + Orthodox Calendar

Orthodox Calendar 2016

Old Style

July 8

Thursday

New Style

July 21

5th Week after Pentecost. Tone 3.

Fast-free period.

Appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1579). Great-martyr Procopius of Caesarea in Palestine, and with him Martyrs Theodosia (his mother), tribunes Antiochus and Nicostratus, and twelve women of senatorial rank (303). St. Procopius, fool-for-Christ, wonderworker of Ustiug (Vologda) (1303).

Righteous Procopius, fool-for-Christ, of Ustya (Vologda) (ca. 1600).

Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos: weeping “Umileniye” (“Of Tender Feeling”) of Novgorod, and “Peschanskaya.” (1754)

Hieromartyr Epictetus, priest, and Monk-martyr Astion, at Halmyris in Scythia Minor (Romania) (290). Martyr Mirdat, King of Kartli, Georgia (410). Blessed King Edgar the Peaceable, of England (975). Martyrs Virgin Sunniva and companions, on Selje Island (Norway) (10th c.). St. Theophilus the Myrrh-gusher, of Pantocrator Monastery, Mt. Athos (1548). New Hieromartyr Anastasius, priest, of Constantinople (1743). Translation of the relics of St. Demetrius of Basarabov, Bulgaria, to Bucharest (1774).

Slaying of Anastasia Strogilos on the Mount of Olives (1995).

Articles

Homily of the Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

Archimdrite Kirill (Pavlov)

Thus we see, dear brothers and sisters, that the main cause of our country’s salvation from destruction was the firm Orthodox faith of our ancestors. When hope in human strength was no more, then all the true children of the Church and Fatherland placed a three day fast on themselves and prayed to the Mother of God before her Kazan icon. Their prayer was heard.

Sermon of the Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov)

We see how much injustice there is in our land, and we can look at it in two ways: coldly, or even angrily. Or we can show some concern for this sick vineyard and heal it, according to the measure of strength and possibility given to each of us by God. Some He has placed in authority over the whole vineyard, and much will be demanded of those people; some He has placed over a particular plot, and these people will be held responsible for their portion of the vineyard; some He has placed in charge of but a single vine—those are each one of us, and we will be held responsible for the health and fruitfulness of that vine.

Commemoration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance from the Poles

“The Mother of God delivered from misfortune and woe not only the righteous, but also sinners, but which sinners? those who turn themselves to the Heavenly Father like the Prodigal Son, they make lamentation beating their bosom, like the Publican, they weep at the feet of Christ, like the Sinful Woman washing His feet with her tears, and they offer forth confession of Him, like the Thief upon the Cross.

The Icon that Saved a Life

Irina Blinova

“Where did that icon come from? I gave it to a German soldier!” She exclaimed in amazement. I recognize it by a characteristic dent in the frame.” I explained that this icon was given to the church by the German Consulate in our city. The woman broke into tears, said that her name was Vera, and told the story of how her Orthodox family icon ended up in Germany.

Two Churches of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

Paul Gilbert

Our Lady of Kazan church in Kolomenskoe park in Moscow, and the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg are two unique and well-known churches in Russia named in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God which we celebrate today.

Primate of Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Liturgy at the Church of Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Havana

The Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Havana is the largest Russian Orthodox church in the Americas. It is the only church built with the active participation of a state that is not in the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate. The snow-white church with five domes was designed in the tradition of old Russian architecture. It is adorned with a tent-roofed bell tower styled after 17th century churches.

Holy Righteous Procopius of Ustiug, Wonder-Worker and Fool-for-Christ

Gregory Sobolev

A wealthy German merchant, St. Procopius came to trade in Novgorod the Great. He was amazed that the grandeur of the churches and the piety of the people, and abandoned his former faith, homeland, and wealth, considering the true faith and importance of the spiritual life to be worth more than all these. But the path of his service would not be an easy one…

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