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| Old Style
May 18
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Thursday |
New Style
May 31
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| First Week after Pentecost (Fast-free period). Tone 7. |  No fast.
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Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and seven virgin-martyrs: Tecusa, Alexandra, Claudia, Phaine, Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julia (303). Martyrs Peter of Lampsacus and Andrew, Paul, Dionysius, and Christina, at Euridinos (249-251). St. Macarius (Glukharev), archimandrite, of the Altai (1847).
Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus, of Athens (250). Martyrs Symeon, Isaac, and Bachthisoes, of Persia (4th c.). Martyrs David and Tarechan, of Georgia (683).
Martyr Euphrasia of Nicaea (ca. 303). Hieromartyr Potamon, bishop of Heraclea (341). St. John Gashkevich, archpriest, of Korma (1917). New Hieromartyr Damian Strbac, Jr., priest, of Grahovo, Serbia (1940-е). St. Stephen the New, patriarch of Constantinople (893). St. Anastaso of Leukadion. St. Martinian, monk, of the Areovinthus quarter, Constantinople.
Repose of Blessed Philip, founder of Gethsemane Caves Skete, St. Sergius Lavra (1869).
Thoughts for Each Day of the Year
According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
By St. Theophan the Recluse
Thursday. [Rom. 1:28–2:9; Matt. 5:27–32]
Whosoever looketh on a woman … hath committed adultery with her already (Matt. 5:28). Living in society, one cannot help looking at women. What to do? A man does not commit adultery simply by looking at a woman, but by looking at her with lust. Look if you must, but keep your heart on a leash. Look with the eyes of a child—purely, without any evil thoughts. One must love women as well, for they are not excluded from the commandment about love of neighbour—but with love that is pure, which bears the soul and spiritual aspect in mind. Just as there is neither male nor female before God in Christianity, so it is in the mutual relations of Christians. But this is very difficult, you will say. Yes, it does not happen without a struggle; but struggle presupposes a lack of desire for evil. The Lord counts as purity the unlustful desire of the merciful.
Articles
 Hieromartyr Theodotus the Bishop of AncyraThe Holy Martyr Theodotus lived in Ancyra of Galatia in the third century. |
 Martyr Dionysius of Ancyra, who suffered under DeciusDionysius, Nikomachus, and two soldiers, Andrew and Paul, who had been transferred from Mesopotamia, were put on trial. |
 Virginmartyr Christina of Ancyra, who suffered under DeciusSaint Christina suffered under emperor Decius (249-251). |
 Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus, of AthensThe Holy Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus and Benedimus suffered for Christ in the city of Athens. |
