November 15, 2016. + Orthodox Calendar

Orthodox Calendar 2016

Old Style

November 15

Monday

New Style

November 28

24th Week after Pentecost. Tone 6.
Начало Рождественского поста.

Monastic rule: cooked food, no oil.

Martyrs and Confessors Gurias and Samonas (299-306), and Abibus (322), of Edessa. St. Paisius (Velichkovsky) of Moldavia and Mt. Athos (1794).

Martyr Demetrius of Thrace (307). Martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus, and Eustochius, who suffered under Julian the Apostate (361). St. Philip, founder of Rabang Monastery (Vologda) (1457).

“Kupyatich” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1182).

Repose of St. Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska (1836). St. Quinctian, bishop of Seleucia (4th c.). St. Thomas the New, patriarch of Constantinople (665- 668).

Repose of Abbot Arsenie Boca of Romania (1989).

Thoughts for Each Day of the Year
According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
By St. Theophan the Recluse

St. Theophan the Recluse

Monday. [I Tim. 1:1-7; Luke 14:12-15]

As an indicator of whom to invite to a dinner take for yourself a rule: do not do anything for your neighbor with a view to recompense from him here. But this does not mean that you will spend everything in vain. In due course all will be returned to you. In the Sermon on the Mount about all God-pleasing deeds—prayer, fasting, and alms—the Lord commanded to do them secretly. Why? Because the Heavenly Father will reward you openly. Therefore, a Christian should prepare future bliss for himself through all his labours in life; he should build himself an eternal home, and send provisions there in advance for all eternity. This is not being mercenary, because one’s own material interests as such are limited to this life, while [the future] life is to detriment of these interests. Furthermore, it is impossible to live this way without faith, hope and love towards the Lord. Acting according to the commandments in hope of recompense is also an abstract action. And yet it is closer and more distinct for the heart than anything else which is too unreal, as for example to do good for the sake of good. You will not find the latter anywhere in Scriptures. The higher incentive is here: do everything for the sake of the Lord and do not fear loss.

Articles

Venerable Paisius Velichkovsky

Saint Paisius Velichkovsky was born in Poltava in Little Russia on December 21, 1722, and was the eleventh of twelve children.

The Life of St. Herman of Alaska

Edited by Archimandrite Alexander (Mileant)

The Elder was asked "How do you, Father Herman, manage to live alone in the forest, don't you get bored?" He answered "No, I'm not alone there! There is God, and God is everywhere! There are holy angels! How can one be bored with them? With whom is it more pleasant and better to converse, angels or people? Angels, of course!"

Canon to St. Herman of Alaska

From the Service to our Holy and God-Bearing Father, Saint Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska.

The Miraculous Intercession of St. Herman of Alaska

When they finally started their exciting, but extremely difficult, ascent, everything went just fine for a few days. But at the end of one day, on a narrow path, they met an old, strange-looking man in a long dark robe. He was walking in the opposite direction, down the mountain. In a friendly manner he greeted them and advised them to turn around and return to the base camp as quickly as possible because the weather was changing into a severe storm.

The Life of Our Holy Father Saint Herman of Alaska

“I clearly remember,” he says, “all the features of the Elder’s face, which shone with grace: his pleasant smile, meek and attractive gaze, his humble, quiet manner, and his amiable words. He was not tall, he had a pale face, covered with wrinkles, his eyes were gray-blue and full of brightness, and on his head he had a few gray hairs. His speech was not loud, but very pleasant.”

New book available on St. Herman of Alaska

A new book on St. Herman of Alaska entitled, Herman A Wilderness Saint From Sarov, Russia to Kodiak, Alaska was released in November 2013 by the Printshop of St. Job of Pochaev.

St. Herman’s Guardian – Archimandrite Gerasim Schmaltz

St. Herman's years of solitude on Spruce Island caused no little wonder among those unfamiliar with the mysteries of spiritual life. A man once asked, "Fr, Herman, do you live alone in the forest? Do you never become lonely? .... No, I am not alone ," he replied, "God is there as He is everywhere. His angels are there. Is it possible to be lonely in their company? Is it not better to be in their company than in that of people?"

A Life of St. Herman from 1919

Vera Johnston

A Russian missionary to America! Yes, indeed, a servant of God, lowly and simple of heart, who attained to such perfection of spirit that in our day and generation there are many in Alaska and throughout the Orthodox parishes in the United States who think that Herman, the humble monk, should be and will be canonized—a saint of the Church.[1]

The Relics of St. Herman of Alaska

The story of Saint Herman of Alaska. 2007.

VIDEO: Pilgrimage to Spruce Island

Spruce Island is considered by many Orthodox Christians to be one of the holiest sites in North America. The island was home to the hermitage of Herman of Alaska during the early 1800’s. Every year, in early August, the Orthodox Church in America celebrates the canonization of Saint Herman with a Liturgy, pilgrimage, and banquet.

On the Repose of St. Herman of Alaska

Seeing the glorious life of podvig of Father Herman, seeing his miracles, seeing the fulfillment of his prophecies and finally his blessed falling asleep, "generally all the local inhabitants have an awesome respect for him as a holy ascetic, and are entirely convinced of his having pleased God," witnessed Bishop Peter.

St. Herman of Alaska: A Pre-Christmas Gift to America

Fr. Herman (Podmoshensky)

And here, in the midst of this pre-Christmas joy so filled with impressions, there enters into the American consciousness a Russian monk from Valaam who was also connected with children, coziness, spice-cake, pretzels, covered by the Alaskan snow—St. Herman the Wonderworker of America.

Travellers from Ryazan are investigating the Orthodox heritage of Russian America in Alaska

Special attention will be devoted to the person of one of the first Orthodox missionaries of North America – St. Herman of Alaska (c.1757-1837; feast: July 27/August 9), a native of Russia’s Ryazan region.

© ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY