ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2024
Previous day
Преподобный Лазарь Иконописец Святитель Григорий Чудотворец, Неокесарийский Прп. Никон Радонежский
Next day
Old Style
November 17
Saturday
New Style
November 30
23rd Week after Pentecost. Tone 5.
Nativity Fast.
Fish, wine and oil allowed.

Совершается служба на шестьSt. Gregory the Wonderworker, of Neo-Caesarea (266). Совершается служба со славословиемSt. Nikon, abbot, of Radonezh, disciple of St. Sergius. (1426).

Martyrs Acisclus and his sister Victoria, at Cordoba (304). St. Lazarus the Iconographer, of Constantinople (857). Martyrs Gobron (Michael) and 133 soldiers, of Georgia (914). Archimandrite Sebastian (Dabovich), missionary in America (1940).

Hieromartyr Basil, bishop of Hamah (ca. 282). Martyrs Zachariah the Cobbler and his wife Mary (3rd c.). Martyrs Gregory, Victor, and Geminus, of Heracleon in Thrace (304). 150 philosophers converted by St. Catherine and martyred at Alexandria (305). St. Longinus of Egypt (4th c.). St. Maximus (Maximian), archbishop of Constantinople (434). St. Vulfolaic, stylite, of Trier (6th c.). St. Gregory, bishop of Tours (594). St. Hilda, abbess of Whitby (680). St. John the Cobbler, of Olumba, Cairo, and Sinai (7th c.). St. Gennadius, steward of Vatopedi, Mt. Athos (14th c.).

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. 3:8-12; Luke 9:57-62]

   No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. That is, he who thinks to be saved while glancing back at what he should abandon for the sake of his salvation, is not being saved, is not walking, is not directed toward the Kingdom of God. It is necessary to destroy once and for all everything that is not compatible with the work of salvation. Those who think to be saved see this themselves, but they always put off parting with certain attachments until tomorrow… To suddenly break with everything is too great a sacrifice. They want to give things up in a leisurely fashion, to not stand out in front of others—but they almost always fail. They introduce salvific routines, while the dispositions of their heart remain as before. At first the incongruity is very sharp: but “tomorrow,” and their promises of change shut the mouth of their conscience. In such a manner, with everything tomorrow— always tomorrow—the conscience grows tired of saying the same thing over and over, and at last, falls silent. Here thoughts start to come that things can be left this way. These thoughts strengthen, and then are established forever. An exterior which is outwardly proper is formed, with inner improperness. This is a whited sepulchre before the eyes of God. The worst thing is that the conversion of this sort of person is as difficult as the conversion of those who have become hardened in open sins, if not more difficult… Meanwhile, this person thinks that everything is fine.

Articles

St Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea

Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea, was born in the city of Neocaesarea (northern Asia Minor) into a pagan family. Having received a fine education, from his youth he strived for Truth, but the thinkers of antiquity were not able to quench his thirst for knowledge. Truth was revealed to him only in the Holy Gospel, and the youth became a Christian.

Venerable Nikon the Abbot of Radonezh the Disciple of the Venerable Sergius

Having heard of the angelic life of the Radonezh Wonderworker, the young man came to Saint Sergius and requested to be tonsured into the angelic schema.

Venerable Lazarus the Iconographer, of Constantinople

Saint Lazarus the Iconographer lived in Constantinople. He was a priest, led a strict ascetic life and painted holy icons.

Martyrs Gobron (Michael) and 133 soldiers, of Georgia

When the emir cunningly asked which one he would choose, Gobron answered, “I told you from the very start that I will not retreat from Christ my Lord!”

Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich

Hieromonk Damascene (Christensen)

Born to Serbian immigrants in San Francisco in 1863, Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich has the distinction of being the first person born in the United States of America to be ordained as an Orthodox priest, and also the first native-born American to be tonsured as an Orthodox monk.

Venerable Hilda, Abbess of Whitby

Dmitry Lapa

The wisdom and prudence of this holy woman were held in such high esteem that even kings and bishops asked for her advice. Venerable Hilda took special care of the poor and the oppressed, for which she was revered and loved as “the mother of her country”.

Venerable Gennadius of Vatopedi, Mt Athos

One day, St Gennadius went to the storeroom and saw the tank overflowing with oil covering the floor as far as the door. This miracle was ascribed to the Most Holy Theotokos, and to Her Elaiovrytissa icon which stood nearby.
© ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY