May 21, 2018. + Orthodox Calendar

Orthodox Calendar 2018

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May 21

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June 3

1st Sunday after Pentecost. Sunday of All Saints. Tone 8.
Заговенье на Петров пост.

No fast.

Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1521). Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine (337) and Helen, his mother (327). St. Constantine (Yaroslav) (1129). and his children Sts. Michael and Theodore, wonderworkers of Murom (12th c.). Uncovering of the relics of St. Andrew Ogorodnikov, fool-for-Christ, of Simbirsk (1998).

St. Cassian the Greek, monk, of Uglich (1504). Synaxis of the Saints of Simbirsk and Karelia. Synaxis of the New Hieromartyrs and Confessors of Ufa. St. Cyril, bishop of Rostov (1262). St. Basil, bishop of Ryazan (1295). Monk-martyr Agapitus, founder of Markushev Monastery (Vologda) (1584).

Hieromartyr Secundus and those with him, in Alexandria (356). St. Hospicius of Trier (581). St. Helen of Decani, Serbia (ca. 1350).

Repose of Elena Pavlova of Chepel, Kharkov (1885) and Elder Isaac of Dionysiou Monastery, Mt. Athos (1932).

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

Sunday of All the Saints. [Heb. 11:33–12:2; Matt. 10:32–33, 37–38; 19:27–30]

The Holy Church commemorates Saints every day. But because there have been God-pleasers who struggled in obscurity and were not revealed to the Holy Church, the Church has set a day on which we praise all those who have pleased God throughout the ages, that they all might be glorified by the Church. The Church instituted this commemoration immediately after the descent of the Holy Spirit, because all saints have been made and are being made saints by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The grace of the Holy Spirit brings repentance and the forgiveness of sins; it leads one into battle with the passions and lusts, and crowns this labor with purity and passionlessness. And thus a new creature appears, fit for a new heaven and new earth. Let us be zealous to follow the saints of God. Today’s Gospel reading teaches us how to do this: it demands fearless confession of faith in the Lord, particular love toward Him, raising the cross of self-denial, and heartfelt renunciation of everything. Let us place a beginning according to these instructions.

Articles

Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

The histories of Moscow and of the icon of Vladimir Mother of God are eternally inseparable. How many times did the Mother of God save the capital city from enemies through the grace of her holy icon? This icon has linked Apostolic times to Byzantium, Kievan Rus’ to Vladimir Rus’, and later to Muscovy, the Third Rome; as it is said, “there will be no Fourth.” The kingdom of Moscow was formed by divine providence and embraced the mystical ties of ancient empires, historical experience and traditions of other Orthodox peoples. The miracle working Vladimir icon became a symbol of unity and succession.

Commemoration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate together with His All-Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, upon seeing this image, exclaimed, “Henceforth, all generations shall call Me blessed. The grace of both My Son and Me shall be with this icon.”

Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in memory of the Saving of Moscow from the Invasion of Khan Achmed

Emperor Constantine the Great (306–337). The Importance of His Faith in the History of the Church

St. Constantine the Great, Equal to the Apostles, First Christian Emperor of Rome, builder of Constantinople and founder the Byzantine Empire. He is a military victor, effective ruler and glorified saint. There is no doubt that his contribution to world history and that of the Orthodox Church is indeed spectacular.

Synaxis of All Saints

The Sunday following Pentecost is dedicated to All Saints, both those who are known to us, and those who are known only to God. There have been saints at all times, and they have come from every corner of the earth. They were Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, Monastics, and Righteous, yet all were perfected by the same Holy Spirit.