ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2019
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Святой преподобный Серафим Вырицкий чудотворец
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March 21 		Wednesday
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April 3
4th Week of Great Lent. Tone 3.
Great Lent.
Monastic rule: xerophagy (bread, uncooked fruits and vegetables).

Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомSt. James the Confessor, bishop, of the Studion (8th c.-9th c.). St. Seraphim of Vyritsa (1949).

St. Cyril, bishop of Catania (1st c.-2nd c.). St. Thomas, patriarch of Constantinople (610). St. Pachomius, abbot, of Nerekhta (1384).

St. Beryllus, bishop of Catania (2nd c.). St. Serapion, bishop of Thmuis, Egypt (ca. 358). St. Lupicinus, desert-dweller, of the Jura Mountains (Gaul) (480). St. Enda, monk, of Aran (Ireland) (530). St. Sophronius, abbot, of the monastery of St. Theodosius in Palestine (542). New Martyr Michael of Agrapha, at Thessalonica (1544). Martyrs Philemon and Domninus of Rome. St. Serapion the Sindonite, monk, of Egypt (5th c.).

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

Wednesday.

Baptism (kreshenie) in the Russian language sounds like cross (krest). This is fortunate consonance, for although the visible action of baptism is submersion, its essence is a co-crucifixion with Christ on the inner, spiritual cross. The Apostle Paul says: our old man is crucified with him in baptism (Rom. 6:6). This is not some sort of mechanical act, but a moral change, or a revolution of thoughts, goals, desires, and sympathies. Before, all of these were stained with self-pleasure; now all are selflessly dedicated to God, in Christ Jesus, by the grace of the Holy Spirit. [If you were baptized as an infant] you will say, “I didn’t understand that when I was baptized.” Now you understand; set it in your conscience to carry out the meaning of baptism, for your baptism is indelible. Even at the judgement its seal will be visible either for you, or against you.

Articles

St. James the Confessor the Bishop of Catania

Saint James, Bishop and Confessor,was inclined toward the ascetic life from his early years.

A Few Personal Memories about St. Seraphim of Vyritsa

Deacon Vladimir Vasilik

Hearing this, St. Seraphim sighed softly and waved his hand: “What are you thinking, Matushka? Do you understand who you are giving your daughter to? He’s a convict! A convict! What wedding? What crowning? The Great Siberian Way is in store for him."

Venerable Seraphim of Vyritsa

The boy had a secret desire to become a monk, so one day he went to the Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra to speak to one of the Elders about this. The Elder advised him to remain in the world and raise a family, then after their children had grown, he and his wife were to serve God in the monastic life.

St. Cyril the Bishop of Catania

Saint Cyril was born in Antioch. He was a disciple of the Apostle Peter (June 29, January 16), who installed him as Bishop of Catania in Sicily.

St. Thomas the Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Thomas, Patriarch of Constantinople, was at first a deacon, and later under the holy Patriarch John IV the Faster (582-595) he was made “sakellarios” [sacristan] in the Great Church (Hagia Sophia). After the death of holy Patriarch Cyriacus (595-606), Saint Thomas was elevated to the Patriarchal throne in 607.

Venerable Enda, Abbot of Inishmore

Dmitry Lapa

The fame of St. Enda spread far and wide. The loving care of the holy abbot was directed not only toward monks, but also at the poor, the oppressed and suffering. According to tradition, he ordered the monks to build “eight places for refuge” on the island, where all who had nowhere else to go could find shelter and care.
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