ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2020
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Иверская икона Божией Матери Георгий, чудо о змие Мученица царица Александра
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Old Style
April 23
Wednesday
New Style
May 6
3rd Week after Pascha. Tone 2.
Fast Day.
Fish, wine and oil allowed.

Совершается всенощное бдениеHoly Glorious Great-martyr, Victory-bearer, and Wonderworker George (303).

Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian (314). Martyrs Anatolius and Protoleon, soldiers converted by witnessing the martyrdom of St. George; and Martyrs Glycerius and Athanasius the Magician, at Nicomedia (303) Blessed George of Shenkursk, fool-for-Christ (1462).

Martyr Therinus of Bothrotus in Epirus (ca. 250). St. Adalbert (Voitech), bishop of Prague (997). New Martyr George of Cyprus, at Ptolomais (1752). New Martyr Lazarus of Bulgaria, at Pergamus (1802). King Solomon I of Imeretia (Georgia) (1784). New Hieromartyr Sergius Zacharczuk, priest, of Nabroz (Chelm and Podlasie, Poland) (1943). St. Sophia of the Panagia Kleisoura Monastery (1974).

Repose of Bishop Barnabas (Belyaev) of Nizhni-Novgorod (1963).

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. [Acts 8:18–25; John 6:35–39]

   Saint Peter says to Simon: Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee (Acts 8:21–22). Thou hast no part… But Simon did not even begin to think that he had gone so far astray; externally he had not done anything outrageous, only his thinking was wrong—so wrong, that the Apostle was uncertain as to whether it would be forgiven him even if he repented and prayed God. That is how important the heart’s disposition is, and the thoughts proceeding from it according to this disposition! Judging by this, a person may be one way on the outside, and completely another way on the inside. Only God sees this inner state, and those to whom the Spirit of God, which trieth all hearts, reveals it. With what fear and trembling must we work out our salvation! And how sincerely and zealously must we pray to God: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me (Ps. 51). Then, at the judgment, something terrible and amazing will happen. The Lord will say: I know you not (Matt. 25:12) to those who were not only sure of their own godliness, but who also appeared godly to everyone else. What remains for us to do? Only to cry out: “Thou who knowest all things, save us O Lord!” As Thou knowest, give a saving formation to our heart!

Articles

The Holy and Great Martyr George

Once, when he heard in a court the inhuman sentence concerning the annihilation of Christians, St. George became inflamed with compassion for them. Foreseeing that sufferings were also awaiting him, George distributed his property to the poor, freed his slaves, appeared before Diocletian and, having revealed himself as a Christian, denounced him for cruelty and injustice. George's speech was full of powerful and convincing objections against the imperial order to persecute Christians.

The Real St. George

Archpriest Andrew Phillips

Regularly, the secular media report stories about England's current patron-saint. There are those who complain that St George is 'a Turkish saint'; others project the image of a knight in medieval armour; yet others claim him as 'the patron of the English football team'. Where does such nonsense come from and who is the real St George?

Greatmartyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George

The Holy Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer, was a native of Cappadocia (a district in Asia Minor), and he grew up in a deeply believing Christian family.

Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian

The Holy Empress Alexandra was the wife of Diocletian (284-305). Her supposed death was described in the Martyrdom of Saint George, which was written immediately after his death. The empress, however, received the crown of martyrdom several years later, in 314.

Martyrs Anatolius and Protoleon, soldiers converted by witnessing the martyrdom of St. George

Two illustrious officials, Saints Anatolius and Protoleon, who were secretly Christians, openly confessed Christ after seeing Saint George tortured.
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