ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2020
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Мученик Авив Преподобный Паисий Величковский
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Old Style
November 15 		Saturday
New Style
November 28
25th Week after Pentecost. Tone 7.
Beginning of the Nativity Fast.
Fish, wine and oil allowed.

Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомMartyrs and Confessors Gurias and Samonas (299-306), Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомand Abibus (322), of Edessa. Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомSt. Paisius (Velichkovsky) of Moldavia and Mt. Athos (1794).

Martyr Demetrius of Thrace (307). Martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus, and Eustochius, who suffered under Julian the Apostate (361). St. Philip, founder of Rabang Monastery (Vologda) (1457).

“Kupyatich” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1182).

Repose of St. Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska (1836). St. Quinctian, bishop of Seleucia (4th c.). St. Thomas the New, patriarch of Constantinople (665- 668).

Repose of Abbot Arsenie Boca of Romania (1989).

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. [Gal. 1:3-10; Luke 9:37-43]

   After coming down from the mount of the Transfiguration, the Lord heals a youth possessed with a devil. A reproach for unbelief preceded the healing, as the reason why the misfortunate one was not healed by the disciples. Whose unbelief this was—whether of the father who brought his son, of the people who gathered together, or perhaps of the Apostles—it is seen only that unbelief closes the doors to God’s merciful intercession and help, whereas faith opens it. The Lord said to the father: as much as you can believe, so you will receive. Faith is not just a matter of thought and mind, when it relates to a person, but embraces the entire essence of man. It is a mutual obligation of the believer and the One in Whom he believes, though it might not be expressed literally. He who believes counts on the one he believes in for everything, and does not expect a refusal from him in anything. That is why he turns to him with undivided thought, like to a father, goes to him as to his treasure chamber, with the surety that he will not return empty. Such an attitude inclines without words the one towards whom this attitude is held. This is how it is with people. But the power of dispositions is truly manifest when they are directed toward the Lord, Who is almighty, omniscient and desires to give us every good; and a true believer’s expectations are never betrayed. If we do not have something, and do not receive it when we ask for it, it is because we do not have the proper faith. First and foremost we must seek and introduce in our heart complete faith in the Lord, seek and obtain it of Him through our entreaties, for it comes not from us, but is God’s gift. When faith was required from the father of the youth, he prayed: “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” He believed weakly, wavering, and prayed about the strengthening of faith. But who can boast of such perfect faith as his, and who, therefore, does not need to pray, “Help, O Lord, mine unbelief?” If only the full force of faith were in us, our thoughts would be pure and feelings holy, and deeds God-pleasing. Then the Lord would heed us like a father his children; and no matter what comes to our heart—and what would come to a person in this state could only be pleasing to the Lord—we would receive everything without refusal or delay.

Articles

Martyrs and Confessors Gurias and Samonas, and Abibus, of Edessa

The Holy Martyrs and Confessors Gurias, Samonas and Habibus: during the persecution against Christians under the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311).

St Paisius Velichkovsky

Metropolitan Laurus (Skurla)

The students of St Paisius were influential among monastics—on the Holy Mountain, in Moldavia and in Russia. Russia was a source of a particularly large number of his students, under whom a broad rebirth of spiritual life occurred, along with interest in and love for the reading and studying of books; elders and monastic superiors came to the fore who preserved the legacy of St Paisius.

St. Paisius Velichkovsky

The Elder would spend entire days with the brethren; the doors to his cell would sometimes stay open until 9 o'clock in the evening. Monks would come to talk about spiritual and practical matters. Also, the Elder’s daily reading of patristic books and his discussions on them was very significant in the spiritual life of the monks.

Venerable Paisius Velichkovsky

Saint Paisius Velichkovsky was born in Poltava in Little Russia on December 21, 1722, and was the eleventh of twelve children.

Martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus, and Eustochius, who suffered under Julian the Apostate

The martyrs endured many terrible torments, and they died after being thrown into a fire.

Saint Philip of Rabanga

Saint Philip of Rabanga was the founder of the Savior-Transfiguration monastery, near Kadnikov to the northeast of Vologda. He spent the beginning of his monastic life in the monastery of Saint Dionysius of Glushitsa (June 1), and was one of his closest disciples.

Icon of the Mother of God of Kupyatich

The Kupyatich Icon of the Mother of God appeared in the year 1180 near the village of Kupyatich in the area of the former Pinsk district of the Minsk governance.

The Life of St. Herman of Alaska

Edited by Archimandrite Alexander (Mileant)

The Elder was asked "How do you, Father Herman, manage to live alone in the forest, don't you get bored?" He answered "No, I'm not alone there! There is God, and God is everywhere! There are holy angels! How can one be bored with them? With whom is it more pleasant and better to converse, angels or people? Angels, of course!"

Canon to St. Herman of Alaska

From the Service to our Holy and God-Bearing Father, Saint Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska.

The Miraculous Intercession of St. Herman of Alaska

When they finally started their exciting, but extremely difficult, ascent, everything went just fine for a few days. But at the end of one day, on a narrow path, they met an old, strange-looking man in a long dark robe. He was walking in the opposite direction, down the mountain. In a friendly manner he greeted them and advised them to turn around and return to the base camp as quickly as possible because the weather was changing into a severe storm.

The Life of Our Holy Father Saint Herman of Alaska

“I clearly remember,” he says, “all the features of the Elder’s face, which shone with grace: his pleasant smile, meek and attractive gaze, his humble, quiet manner, and his amiable words. He was not tall, he had a pale face, covered with wrinkles, his eyes were gray-blue and full of brightness, and on his head he had a few gray hairs. His speech was not loud, but very pleasant.”

New book available on St. Herman of Alaska

A new book on St. Herman of Alaska entitled, Herman A Wilderness Saint From Sarov, Russia to Kodiak, Alaska was released in November 2013 by the Printshop of St. Job of Pochaev.

St. Herman’s Guardian – Archimandrite Gerasim Schmaltz

St. Herman's years of solitude on Spruce Island caused no little wonder among those unfamiliar with the mysteries of spiritual life. A man once asked, "Fr, Herman, do you live alone in the forest? Do you never become lonely? .... No, I am not alone ," he replied, "God is there as He is everywhere. His angels are there. Is it possible to be lonely in their company? Is it not better to be in their company than in that of people?"

A Life of St. Herman from 1919

Vera Johnston

A Russian missionary to America! Yes, indeed, a servant of God, lowly and simple of heart, who attained to such perfection of spirit that in our day and generation there are many in Alaska and throughout the Orthodox parishes in the United States who think that Herman, the humble monk, should be and will be canonized—a saint of the Church.[1]

The Relics of St. Herman of Alaska

The story of Saint Herman of Alaska. 2007.

VIDEO: Pilgrimage to Spruce Island

Spruce Island is considered by many Orthodox Christians to be one of the holiest sites in North America. The island was home to the hermitage of Herman of Alaska during the early 1800’s. Every year, in early August, the Orthodox Church in America celebrates the canonization of Saint Herman with a Liturgy, pilgrimage, and banquet.

On the Repose of St. Herman of Alaska

Seeing the glorious life of podvig of Father Herman, seeing his miracles, seeing the fulfillment of his prophecies and finally his blessed falling asleep, "generally all the local inhabitants have an awesome respect for him as a holy ascetic, and are entirely convinced of his having pleased God," witnessed Bishop Peter.

St. Herman of Alaska: A Pre-Christmas Gift to America

Fr. Herman (Podmoshensky)

And here, in the midst of this pre-Christmas joy so filled with impressions, there enters into the American consciousness a Russian monk from Valaam who was also connected with children, coziness, spice-cake, pretzels, covered by the Alaskan snow—St. Herman the Wonderworker of America.

Travellers from Ryazan are investigating the Orthodox heritage of Russian America in Alaska

Special attention will be devoted to the person of one of the first Orthodox missionaries of North America – St. Herman of Alaska (c.1757-1837; feast: July 27/August 9), a native of Russia’s Ryazan region.
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