ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2024
Previous day
Преподобный Феофан Сигрианский Григорий Двоеслов Преподобный Симеон Новый Богослов
Next day
Old Style
March 12 		Monday
New Style
March 25
2nd Week of Great Lent. Tone 1.
Great Lent.
Monastic rule: xerophagy (bread, uncooked fruits and vegetables).

Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомSt. Theophanes the Confessor, of Sigriane (818).

Righteous Phineas, grandson of Aaron (ca. 1500 b.c.). St. Gregory the Dialogist, pope of Rome (604). Sts. Symeon the New Theologian (1021), and his elder, Symeon the Reverent, of the Studion (987).

New Hieromartyr Vladimir (Volkov), archimandrite, of Islavskoe (Moscow) (1938).

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Not-Made-by-Hands” (on the Pillar) at Lydda (1st c.).

Righteous Aaron the High Priest, brother of Prophet Moses the God-seer (ca. 1530 b.c.). St. Cyrus, monk, of Alexandria (6th c.). St. Paul Aurelian, bishop of Leon in Brittany (572). St. Alphege, bishop of Winchester, England (951). St. Nicodemus of Mammola in Calabria (990). Martyr Demetrius the Devoted, king of Georgia (1289). St. Dragutin (monk Theoctistus) of Serbia (1316).

Repose of Schemamonk Anthony the Gorge-dweller, of Zelenchug Monastery in Kuban (1908).

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 (2nd week of Lent).

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Prov. 4:23).[1] Having prepared,[2] confessed and taken communion with the holy mysteries, a Christian renews within himself the grace-filled springs which were opened in him through holy Baptism, and which then so many times were obstructed by carelessness and falls, and so many times cleansed by repentance. Now these springs have been cleansed once again after the most recent falls. Let us keep them, at least from this point onward, from renewed obstruction as a result of thoughtlessness, distractedness, and negligence about those actions which maintain the springs’ purity and proper flow of waters. Let us continue fasting, not give liberty to our feelings, not cease fervent prayers and tears, not forget works of love; let seek to hear the word of God, and most of all, to converse with the Lord, Who is within us. Through this conversation we shall uphold the fear of God and zeal to please Him within ourselves, for in this lies the spring of our spiritual life.

[1]The Slavonic for Prov. 4:23 reads: Keep thy heart more than all things kept; for out of it are the springs of life.

[2]“Having prepared…” in Russian, govenie. See footnote for Tuesday of the 1st week of Great Lent.

Articles

Venerable Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane

Theophanes grew up at the court and became a dignitary under the emperor Leo IV the Khazar (775-780). His position obliged him to enter into marriage, but he persuaded his bride to live with him in virginity.

Righteous Phineas the grandson of Aaron

The Righteous Phineas, grandson of the High Priest Aaron (also commemorated today) and son of the High Priest Eleazar, was also a priest and zealous in his service.

St. Gregory the Dialogist, pope of Rome

Wisely governing the Church, Hierarch Gregory tirelessly planted the Word of God. Saint Gregory compiled in the Latin tongue the order of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (used during Great Lent), which before him was known only in oral tradition.

How St. Gregory the Dialogist Stopped a Laughing Woman

Ilya Timkin

St. Gregory was one of the most gifted people of his time. Brilliantly educated, the future Roman primate even once worked as the head of the city administration of the “eternal city.” Admittedly, it was a special time—the Middle Ages.

Venerable Simeon the New Theologian

Saint Simeon the New Theologian was born in the year 949 in the city of Galatea (Paphlagonia), and he was educated at Constantinople. His father prepared him for a career at court, and for a certain while the youth occupied a high position at the imperial court.

The Venerable Poet on the Prose of Life

Deacon Pavel Serzhantov

There are considerations of both high and more ordinary things in St. Symeon’s hymns. These reflections put the mundane into a spiritual perspective, prompting me to think about who I am, and whether I have found my place.

Icon “Not Made by Hands” from Lydda

According to Tradition, the Apostles Peter and John were preaching in Lydda (later called Diospolis) near Jerusalem. There they built a church dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos, then went to Jerusalem and asked her to come and sanctify the church by her presence.
© ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY