ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2020
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Священномученик Панкратий Святитель Тихон, Патриарх Московский и всея Руси Святитель Иннокентий, епископ Иркутский
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Old Style
February 9 		Saturday
New Style
February 22
Commemoration of the Dead. Tone 2.
No fast.

Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомMartyr Nicephorus of Antioch (ca. 257). Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомUncovering of the relics of St. Innocent, bishop of Irkutsk (1805). Uncovering of the relics (1992) of New Hiero-confessor Tikhon, patriarch of Moscow and all Russia (1992).

Hieromartyrs Marcellus, bishop of Sicily, Philagrius, bishop of Cyprus, and Pancratius, bishop of Taormina, disciples of Apostle Peter (1st c.). St. Pancratius, hieromonk of the Kiev Caves (13th c.). Sts. Gennadius (ca. 1516) and Nicephorus (1557) monks, of Vazhe Lake (Vologda).

New Hieromartyr Basil Ismailov, archpriest, of Belorussia (1930).

Martyr Apollonia of Alexandria (249). St. Romanus the Wonderworker, of Cilicia, near Antioch (5th c.). Sts. Aemilianus and Bracchio, of Tours (Gaul) (6th c.). St. Teilo, bishop of Llandaff, Wales (6th c.). Hieromartyr Peter, bishop of Damascus (743).

Repose of Maria, desert-dweller of Olonets (1860).

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

Saturday (Commemoration of the Dead). [I Thess. 4:13–17; John 5:24–30]

Now the Holy Church directs our attention beyond the borders of our present life, to our fathers and brothers who have passed on from here. The Church hopes that by reminding us of their state (which we ourselves shall not escape), to prepare us to spend Cheese-fare week properly, as well as Great Lent which follows. Let us listen to our mother the Church; and commemorating our fathers and brothers, let us take care to prepare ourselves for our passing over to the other world. Let us bring to mind our sins and mourn them, setting out in the future to keep ourselves pure from any defilement. For nothing unclean will enter the Kingdom of God; and at the judgement, nobody unclean will be justified. After death you cannot expect purification. You will remain as you are when you cross over. You must prepare your cleansing here. Let us hurry, for who can predict how long one will live? Life could be cut off this very hour. How can we appear unclean in the other world? Through what eyes will we look at our fathers and brothers who will meet us? How will we answer their questions: “What is this badness in you? What is this? And what is this?” What shame will cover us! Let us hasten to set right all that is out of order, to arrive at least somewhat tolerable and bearable in the other world.

Articles

Martyr Nicephorus of Antioch, in Syria

The Holy Martyr Nicephorus lived in the city of Syrian Antioch. In this city lived also the presbyter Sapricius, with whom Nicephorus was very friendly, so that they were considered as brothers.

Repose of St Innocent the first Bishop of Irkutsk

The proximity of the Chinese border, the expanse and sparsely-settled dioceses, the great number of diverse nationalities (Buryat, Mongol, and others), mostly unenlightened by the Christian Faith, the lack of roads and the poverty—all this made Saint Innocent’s pastoral work burdensome and his life full of deprivations.

On St. John Climacus, and the Miraculous Revelation of Patriarch Tikhon's Relics

Archimandrite John (Krestiankin)

The Patriarch was the spiritual leader of the Russian people during a very difficult time. He continues to be so during our difficult time in Russia—a time of schism, separation, and falls. The Church's duty in such trials is to inspire and unite the people for the sake of saving their native land, faith, and truth, serving for unification.

A Dream: About my vision of Patriarch Tikhon

Metropolitan Benjamin (Fedchenkov)

“So, only now,” a thought struck me, “now something can be said to them, now they are capable of hearing it, for their souls have melted. But there in the hut there could be no thought of teaching.” I understood that we must first warm the sinful soul, and correct it only afterwards. His Holiness could do this—he greatly loved these sinful but miserable children of his. And he warmed them with his love.

A 1923 Interview with Patriarch Tikhon by an American

Patriarch Tikhon's nine years in America were important ones in the affairs of the Orthodox Church there. During this period the episcopal seat was removed from San Francisco to New York. During this period Bishop Tikhon became Archbishiop Tikhon, the first American Orthodox hierarch to bear that title. These years made a deep impression upon the future Patriarch himself, and as will later be pointed out, the knowledge of the life and religious ideals of American people he acquired there have been very influential in later events in Russia. America has no better friend in Russia than Patriarch Tikhon and he seems especially pleased to maintain his connection with Americans and things American.

The Trial of Patriarch Tikhon

Ivan M. Andreev

The supreme spiritual value--religion--was also overthrown. Faith in God was replaced with faith in atheism and materialism. The interests of the whole nation were reduced to the interests of the proletarian and peasant classes. Yet in view of the "backwardness" of the peasant class, the leading rôle was ceded to the proletariat. And since the entire proletariat was en masse also referred to as "comprehending little," the "dictatorship of the proletariat" was transformed into the Dictatorship of the Bolshevik Communist Party.

Saint Patriarch Tikhon - His Missionary Legacy to Orthodox America

Fr. Alexey Young

The key to St. Tikhon's greatness lies in his personality, his character. Prof. Zaichenko recalls: "By nature Bishop Tikhon was kind, responsive and unusually sensitive. In his character he was quiet, merciful, good-natured and always tried to preserve in himself serenity, a serenity which he transmitted to the souls of all those around him."

St. Tikhon of Moscow's Gift to America

Jesse Dominick

St. Tikhon’s Monastery is home to a rich history and a great many “treasures” of Orthodoxy, some known, some relatively unknown, which stand as a testament to the prayers and labors of our American apostle, St. Tikhon, and his continuing heavenly protection.

The Quiet Courage of Patriarch Tikhon

Georgiy Velikanov

Patriarch Tikhon, without a doubt, was a “point of intersection” for all the Russian Church’s modern history. At him intersect all the different paths chosen by hierarchs and simple believers.

“Patriarch Tikhon is one of the greatest universal saints.”

Patriarch Tikhon captained the ship of the Church through the bloody storm of anti-ecclesiastical persecution inspired by the godless leaders of the communist regime, who had seized power in much-suffering Russia.

Hieromartyrs Marcellus, Bishop of Sicily, Philagrius, Bishop of Cyprus, and Pancratius, Bishop of Taormina

They were put to death for spreading the faith of Christ among the pagans.

Hieromartyr Pancratius of Taormina, Sicily

The parents of Pancratius were natives of Antioch. Hearing the good news of Jesus Christ, Pancratius' father took his young son with him and went to Jerusalem in order to see the great Teacher for himself. The miracles astonished him, and when he heard the divine teaching, he then believed in Christ as the Son of God. He became close with the disciples of the Lord, especially with the holy Apostle Peter. It was during this period that young Pancratius got to know the holy Apostle Peter.

Venerable Pancratius of the Kiev Caves

The holy hieromonk Pancratius performed the divine services with much grace, and received the gift of working miracles.

Venerable Gennadius of Vazheozersk

Saint Gennadius of Vazhe Lake was the son of rich parents but, giving away everything, he became a disciple of Saint Alexander of Svir and lived with him in asceticism as a hermit by the river Svira.

Venerable Nicephorus of Vazheozersk

Saint Nicephorus of Vazhe Lake came to Saint Alexander of Svir (April 17) in the year 1510 and was warmly received by him.

Saint Teilo of Wales

Dmitry Lapa

The veneration of St. Teilo throughout Wales and in Brittany was widespread; many churches across Wales and in western England were dedicated to him. His late Life was composed early in the twelfth century by the cleric Geoffrey of Llandaff.
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