ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2023
Previous day
Мученик Михаил, князь Черниговский Святой равноапостольный Кирилл учитель Словенский Прп. Марон Сирийский
Next day
Old Style
February 14 		Monday
New Style
February 27
1st Week of Great Lent. Tone 4.
Great Lent.
Monastic rule: total abstinence from food.

Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомSt. Auxentius, monk, of Bithynia (ca. 470). Совершается служба с полиелеемSt. Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles, teacher of the Slavs (869).

St. Maron, hermit of Cyrrhus (ca. 433). St. Abraham, bishop of Charres in Mesopotamia (5th c.). St. Isaac, recluse of the Kiev Caves (ca. 1090). Translation of the relics of Martyrs Prince Michael and his counselor Theodore, of Chernigov (1578). St. Hilarion the Georgian (the New) of Imereti and Mt. Athos (1864).

New Hieromartyr Onesimus (Pylaev), bishop of Tula (1937).

St. Peter, patriarch of Alexandria (380). Hieromartyr Philemon, bishop of Gaza. New Martyr Nicholas of Corinth (1554). New Monk-martyr Damian of Philotheou and Kissavos, at Larissa (1568). New Martyr George the Tailor, of Mytilene, at Constantinople (1693). St. Raphael, bishop of Brooklyn (1915). St. Ephraim of Katounakia (1998).

Repose of Archimandrite Barsanuphius of Valaam and Morocco (1952), Righteous Barbara (Arkhangelskaya) the Recluse, of Ufa (1966).

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

Monday (1st Week of Lent).

“Lent has come, O mother of chastity.” What was the time before this day? A time of fornication.[1] The soul fornicated with all that struck its eye as pleasant—both with people and with things: more fully, with sinful passions. Everyone has his passion which he pleases in all he does. It is time to put an end to this. May each of you comprehend your Delilah, who binds you and hands you over to evil enemies, and abandon her. Then you will be given more than Samson: not only shall your hair grow, but so also shall good thoughts; and not only shall your strength return, but so also your strength of will. Your eyes shall also open, your mind shall have sight and it shall see the Lord, yourself, and everything around you in the proper light. This is the favourable time! This is the day of salvation!

[1] “A time of fornication.” Fornication here has a double meaning in Russian, both of fornication and roaming.

Articles

Venerable Auxentius of Bithynia

Saint Auxentius, by origin a Syrian, served at the court of the emperor Theodosius the Younger (418-450). He was known as a virtuous, learned and wise man, and he was, moreover, a friend of many of the pious men of his era.

St Cyril, Equal of the Apostles and Teacher of the Slavs

Saint Cyril received the finest of educations, and from the age of fourteen he was raised with the son of the emperor. Later, he was ordained as a priest.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius

Venerable Maron the Hermit of Syria

Saint Maron was born in the fourth century near the city of Cyrrhus in Syria. He spent almost all his time beneath the open sky in prayer, vigil, ascetical works and strict fasting.

St. Abraham the Bishop of Charres in Mesopotamia

Saint Abraham, Bishop of Charres, lived during the mid-fourth and early fifth centuries, and was born in the city of Cyrrhus. In his youth he entered a monastery.

Venerable Isaac the Recluse of the Kiev Near Caves

Saint Isaac was the first person in northern lands to live as a fool for Christ.

Holy Martyrs Prince Michael and his counselor Theodore, of Chernigov

Taking courage in the words of the Lord: “Whoever would save his life, shall lose it, and whoever will lose his life for My sake shall save it” (Mt.16:25), the holy prince and his devoted boyar prepared for a martyr’s death and received the Holy Mysteries, which their spiritual Father gave them, foreseeing this possibility.

Tower of Virtue. St. Hilarion the Georgian of Mt. Athos. Part 1

Hieromonk Anthony (Torp)

His life was intertwined with the upheavals of the nineteenth century: the dissolution of the Georgian Kingdom, its annexation by Russia, and the Greek Insurrection of 1821. Within these events St. Hilarion led a life that encompassed the fullness of Christianity. As a married priest he was the royal confessor, and later as a monk he witnessed to the Faith before the Muslims. He finally became a vessel of the Holy Spirit as a great ascetic and spiritual father on Mount Athos. Where he was called “St. Hilarion the Georgian".

Tower of Virtue. St. Hilarion the Georgian of Mt. Athos Part 2

Hieromonk Anthony (Torp)

Amid such outward struggles, Fr. Hilarion immersed himself in the sea of spiritual contemplation and noetic prayer; consequently, a bitter spiritual battle began. Many times hordes of demons appeared to him like battle regiments. Approaching the tower, they would scream, as if laying siege, attacking the tower, but they were unable to achieve their ends. Sometimes the entire multitude would try to frighten the elder, crying out, "Three sides have already been taken; there remains one, but we'll take it."

St. Raphael Bishop of Brooklyn

From his youth, Saint Raphael’s greatest joy was to serve the Church.
© ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY