March 19, 2020. + Orthodox Calendar

Orthodox Calendar 2020

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Old Style

March 19

Wednesday

New Style

April 1

5th Week of Great Lent. Tone 8.
Great Lent.

Wine and oil allowed.

Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria, and those with them at Rome: Claudius the Tribune, his wife Hilaria, their sons Jason and Maurus, the priest Diodorus, and the deacon Marianus (283). St. Sophia of Slutsk and Minsk (1612).

Martyr Pancharius, at Nicomedia (ca. 302). St. Bassa, nun, of Pskov Caves (ca. 1473). St. Innocent, founder of Komel Monastery (Vologda) (1511-1522). St. Symeon (Popovic), archimandrite, of Dajbabe, Montenegro (1941).

Smolensk “Umileniye” (“Tender Feeling”) Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1103).

Martyr Alcmund, prince of Northumbria (800). Righteous Maria, wife of Vsevelod III (1206). New Martyr Demetrius, at Constantinople (1564). New Martyr Nicholas Karamanos of Smyrna (1657).

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

Wednesday.

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath (Prov. 15:24). It is well-known to all that hell exists, and that anyone can end up there as a result of his deeds. But not all remember this, or live so piously that they are clearly trying to to avoid hell. They live without thinking about it, saying, “Maybe… Maybe we somehow will not end up in hell.” Where is our reason? In earthly affairs one can somehow get away with “maybe,” but in such a decisive affair, which, once accomplished, will abide unto the ages of ages unchanged, “maybe” reveals lack of reason to the utmost degree. Do not pride yourself, O Reason, on your reasonableness, when you do not remember this and do not suggest to us thoughts of life: how to avoid hell in order to be saved.