ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2023
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Праведный Алексий Бортсурманский Прп. Феодор Санаксарский Святитель Максимиан (Максим) Константинопольский
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Old Style
April 21
Thursday
New Style
May 4
3rd Week after Pascha. Tone 2.
No fast.

Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомHieromartyrs Januarius, bishop of Benevento, and his companions: Festus, Proclus, and Sosius, deacons; Martyrs Desiderius, reader; and Gantiol, Eutychius, and Acutius, at Pozzuoli (ca. 305). Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомMartyrs Theodore of Perge in Pamphylia, his mother Philippa, and Dioscorus, Socrates, and Dionysius (ca. 138-161). Uncovering of the relics of St. Theodore, abbot, of Sanaxar Monastery (1999). St. Alexis, priest, of Bortsumany, Nizhni- Novgorod (1848).

Martyrs Isaac, Apollo, and Codratus, of Nicomedia (303). St. Maximus (Maximian), archbishop of Constantinople (434).

Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian (303) (same as April 23). St. Beuno, abbot, of Clynnog Fawr, Wales (642). St. Maelruba of Apur Crossan, Ireland (722). St. James, abbot of Stromynsk Monastery (Radonezh) (1392). New Hieromartyr Protopresbyter Basil Martysz of Teratyn (Chelm and Podlasie, Poland (1945).

Repose of Schemamonk Nicetas (1907) and Hieroschemamonk Antipas II (1912), of Valaam, Elder Dometian of Tula (1908), and Nun Stefanida of Kosovo (Serbia) (1945).

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

039

Thursday. [Acts 8:26–39; John 6:40–44]

   Saint Philip asks the eunich: understandest thou what thou readest? He answered: how can I, except some man should guide me? (Acts 8:31). How often those who read the word of God and writings of the fathers experience the same thing! What is read is beyond our comprehension; the mind cannot heed or grasp it, as if it were something foreign to it, about topics of an unknown realm. This is why an interpreter is needed, who is familiar with the meaning of the words. Saint Philip had the same spirit as the one which brought those prophecies, and so it was not difficult for him to interpret what the eunuch found hard to understand. Thus it is for us now: we must find a person who stands on such a level of life and knowledge as is touched upon by the scripture which is difficult for us, and he will interpret it without difficulty, because each level has its own spiritual view. He who stands on a lower level does not see all that he who stands on the higher sees, and can only guess about it. If it happens that the scriptures which are incomprehensible for us touch upon subjects of the higher level, but the interpreter met by us stands on the lower, then he cannot explain it as he should, and will apply everything to his own outlooks, and it will remain for us as dark as before. One must marvel at how people take on interpreting topics of Scripture while being totally foreign to the realm to which these subjects belong. And for them it does not come out as it should; nor do they fail to get puffed up over their own interpretations.

Articles

Hieromartyr Januarius the Bishop of Benevento, and his companions, at Pozzuoli

Hieromartyr Januarius Bishop of Benevento, and the deacons Proculus, Sossius and Faustus, Desiderius the Reader, Eutychius and Acution suffered martyrdom for Christ about the year 305 during the persecution ordered by the emperor Diocletian (284-305).

Martyrs Theodore of Perge in Pamphylia, his mother Philippa, and Dioscorus, Socrates, and Dionysius

The Holy Martyrs Theodore, his mother Philippa, Dioscorus, Socrates and Dionysius suffered during the reign of the emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) in Perge, Pamphylia.

Venerable Theodore of Sanaxar

When a team of investigators came to the forest looking for monks living there illegally, John was caught. Since he had no documents and admitted to being a sergeant in the Guard, he was brought to Saint Petersburg and taken to the empress Elizabeth. When he was taken to the empress, she asked, “Why did you desert my regiment?”

Righteous Priest Alexis of Bortsurmany

Igumen Damascene (Orlovsky)

His whole life was dedicated to God and neighbor, and it was truly laborious and holy. He was at all times in ceaseless prayer, devoid of malice and rich in good deeds. He prayed not only during the day, but also at night, tirelessly and unceasingly, never giving himself bodily rest, until his very death. As a reward for his righteousness, God gave him the gifts of clairvoyance and healing. St. Seraphim, the wonderworker of Sarov, valued his podvig of prayer very highly, and respected him as a great ascetic and God-pleaser.

Martyrs Isaac, Apollo, and Codratus, of Nicomedia

The Holy Martyrs Isaac, Apollos and Quadratus were pagans who served at the court of the emperor Diocletian (284-305). They were among the spectators who witnessed the sufferings of the Holy Great Martyr George (April 23).

St. Maximian the Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Maximian, Patriarch of Constantinople, was born in Rome from wealthy and pious parents. Upon receiving his inheritance, he provided tombs to bury those who led holy lives.

Venerable Maelrubha of Applecross

Dmitry Lapa

St. Maelrubha (Maolrubha) has been venerated as one of the apostles of the Picts in Scotland and of Skye. This saint is mentioned in many Irish annals of the time.
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