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| Old Style
May 18
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Sunday |
New Style
May 31
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| 7th Sunday of Pascha. Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Tone 6. |  No fast.
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Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and seven virgin-martyrs: Tecusa, Alexandra, Claudia, Phaine, Euphrasia, Matrona, and Julia (303). Martyrs Peter of Lampsacus and Andrew, Paul, Dionysius, and Christina, at Euridinos (249-251). St. Macarius (Glukharev), archimandrite, of the Altai (1847).
Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus, of Athens (250). Martyrs Symeon, Isaac, and Bachthisoes, of Persia (4th c.). Martyrs David and Tarechan, of Georgia (683). St. John Gashkevich, archpriest, of Korma (1917).
Martyr Euphrasia of Nicaea (ca. 303). Hieromartyr Potamon, bishop of Heraclea (341). St. Theodore I, pope of Rome (649). St. Stephen the New, patriarch of Constantinople (893). New Hieromartyr Damian Strbac, Jr., priest, of Grahovo, Serbia (1940s). St. Anastaso of Leukadion. St. Martinian, monk, of the Areovinthus quarter, Constantinople.
Repose of Blessed Philip, founder of Gethsemane Caves Skete, St. Sergius Lavra (1869).
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 the Holy Fathers. [Acts 20:16–18, 28–36; John 17:1–13]
Arias began to deny the divinity of the Son of God and His oneness in essence with God the Father. The entire Church rose up against him; all believers, from all ends of the earth, unanimously confessed that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Only-Begotten Son of God, true God of true God; begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father. One would think that this unanimity was purely coincidental, but this faith was then tried by fire when the authorities and powerful of this world began to side with the Arians. Neither fire, nor sword, nor persecution could extinguish this faith, and it was immediately found everywhere among everyone, as soon as the pressure from external powers ceased. This means that it makes up the heart of the Church and the essence of her confession. Glory be to the Lord, Who preserves this faith within us! For, as long as it exists, we are still Christians, though we may not live as such. If it ceases to exist, Christianity will end.
Articles
 Hieromartyr Theodotus the Bishop of AncyraThe Holy Martyr Theodotus lived in Ancyra of Galatia in the third century. |
 Martyr Dionysius of Ancyra, who suffered under DeciusDionysius, Nikomachus, and two soldiers, Andrew and Paul, who had been transferred from Mesopotamia, were put on trial. |
 Virginmartyr Christina of Ancyra, who suffered under DeciusSaint Christina suffered under emperor Decius (249-251). |
 Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus, of AthensThe Holy Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus and Benedimus suffered for Christ in the city of Athens. |
