ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2018
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Феодор Тирон Святитель Ермоген, патриарх Московский Апостол Филипп
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Old Style
February 17 		Friday
New Style
March 2
2nd Week of Great Lent. Tone 5.
Great Lent.
Monastic rule: xerophagy (bread, uncooked fruits and vegetables).

Совершается служба на шестьGreat-martyr Theodore the Tyro (306). Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомSt. Hermogenes, patriarch of Moscow and all Russia (1612).

St. Mariamne, sister of Apostle Philip (1st c.). Uncovering of the relics of Martyr Menas the Most Eloquent, of Alexandria (889). St. Theodore the Silent, of the Kiev Caves (13th c.). St. Barnabas, elder, of Gethsemane Skete of St. Sergius Lavra (1906).

New Hieromartyr Paul Kosminkov, archpriest, of Lystsevo (Moscow) (1938).

Weeping “Tikhvin” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, St. Elias Skete, Mt. Athos.

St. Auxibius, bishop of Soli on Cyprus (102). St. Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne (661). St. Theodosius, monastic founder at Mt. Kelifarevo (1363), and his disciple St. Romanus (14th c.), of Turnovo (Bulgaria). New Martyr Michael Mavroeidis of Adrianople (1490). New Martyr Theodore of Byzantium, at Mytilene (1795). New Hieromartyr Theodore of Adjara, hieromonk, at Mt. Athos (1822). St. Nicholas Planas, priest, of Athens (1932). Synaxis of Holy Emperor Marcian (457) and St. Pulcheria, his wife (453).

Repose of Elder Agapitus of the Kiev Caves (1887) and Schemamonk John (Shova) of Kolitsou Skete, Mt. Athos (2009).

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

Friday.

   My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh (Gen. 6:3).[1] Man has two opposing forces inside, but one consciousness—the human being. The characteristics of this being are determined by his inclinations. If he sides with the Spirit, he is spiritual; if he sides with the flesh, he is fleshly. The spirit does not disappear altogether even from the fleshly, but it is enslaved, and has no voice. It becomes yoked, and serves the flesh like a slave serves its mistress, inventing all sorts of pleasures for it. Similarly, the flesh does not disappear from the spiritual, but it submits to the spirit and serves it. It loses its natural rights for food through fasting, its rights for sleep through vigil, for rest through continuous labour and weariness, for pleasing the feelings through seclusion and silence. Where the flesh reigns, God does not abide; for His organ of communication with man is the spirit, which is not given its due priority in the flesh. God’s approach is felt for the first time when the spirit begins to claim its own through the operation of the fear of God and one’s conscience. When consciousness and freedom also come to help, then God communicates with man and begins to dwell in him. From that moment on begins the inspiration of the soul, the flesh and of the entire inner and outer man, while God becomes all in all in him. By becoming spiritual, man is made divine. What a marvellous benefit, and how little it is remembered, valued and sought after!

[1]The Slavonic for Gen. 6:3 reads: My Spirit shall not eternally be scorned by men, because they are flesh.

Articles

Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (“the Recruit”)

In memory of this occurrence, the Orthodox Church annually celebrates the holy Great Martyr Theodore the Recruit on the first Saturday of Great Lent.

Hieromartyr Hermogenes the Patriarch of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia

On Bright Monday in 1611, the Russian militia approached Moscow and began the seige of the Kremlin, which continued for several months. Besieged within the Kremlin, the Poles often sent messengers to the Patriarch with the demand that he order the Russian militia to leave the city, threatening him with execution if he refused. The saint firmly replied, "What are your threats to me? I fear only God. If all our enemies leave Moscow, I shall bless the Russian militia to withdraw from Moscow; but if you remain here, I shall bless all to stand against you and to die for the Orthodox Faith."

St. Mariamne the sister of the Apostle Philip

Righteous Mariamne “The Apostolic Virgin” and sister of the holy Apostle Philip (November 14), made a vow of virginity and became the companion of her brother Philip and the holy Apostle Bartholomew (June 11), actively assisting them in their apostolic work.

Martyrs Menas the Most Eloquent, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus, of Alexandria

The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphus suffered for their faith in Christ under the emperor Maximian (305-313).

Venerable Theodore the Silent of the Kiev Caves

Saint Theodore the Silent of the Caves chose the exploit of silence, in order to dwell constantly in remembrance of God, and to safeguard himself from temptation even by a word.

St. Auxibius Bishop of Soli, Cyprus

Saint Auxibius was born at Rome in a rich family. He was raised with his brother Tempstagoras, and from an early age he displayed remarkable talents.

St. Theodosius, monastic founder at Mt. Kelifarevo, and his disciple St. Romanus, of Turnovo (Bulgaria).

Saint Theodosius the Bulgarian and his disciple Romanus. Saint Theodosius began his exploit in the city of Viddino, at the Nikolaev monastery.

New Martyr Theodore

The Holy New Martyr Theodore was born of pious parents in Neochorion near Constantinople in 1774. He worked in the palace of the Sultan, where he converted to Islam.
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