ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2025
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Собор Карельских святых Икона Божией Матери Владимирская Святой равноапостольный царь Константин и равноапостольная царица Елена
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Old Style
May 21
Tuesday
New Style
June 3
7th Week after Pascha. Tone 6.
No fast.

Afterfeast of the Ascension. Совершается служба с полиелеемMeeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Совершается служба с полиелеемHoly Equals-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine (337) Совершается служба с полиелеемand Helen, his mother (327). Совершается служба со славословиемSt. Constantine (Yaroslav) (1129). Совершается служба со славословиемand his children Sts. Michael and Theodore, wonderworkers of Murom (12th c.). Uncovering of the relics of St. Andrew Ogorodnikov, fool-for-Christ, of Simbirsk (1998).

St. Cassian the Greek, monk, of Uglich (1504). Synaxis of the Saints of Simbirsk and Karelia. Synaxis of the New Hieromartyrs and Confessors of Ufa. St. Basil, bishop of Ryazan (1295). Monk-martyr Agapitus, founder of Markushev Monastery (Vologda) (1584).

Hieromartyr Secundus and those with him, in Alexandria (356). St. Hospicius of Trier (581). St. Helen of Decani, Serbia (ca. 1350).

Repose of Elena Pavlova of Chepel, Kharkov (1885) and Elder Isaac of Dionysiou Monastery, Mt. Athos (1932).

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

Tuesday. [Acts 21:26–32; John 16:2–13]

When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). Why is this source of knowledge not mentioned in books of rhetoric? It is not surprising that this point is not in pagan books of rhetoric, but why is it not in Christian ones? Can it be that when a Christian begins to philosophize he ought to cease being a Christian and forget all the true and unquestionable promises which were given to him? People often explain how to see and hear; they also teach well enough to make generalizations and inductions from what is seen and heard. But when the time comes to unravel the meaning of it all, here the nursling of logic is left to the devices of his own guesswork. Why not suggest to him: you have the revelations of the spirit of truth—follow them. They resolve the meaning of all existence and events in an indisputable manner, for they proceed from God, in Whom lies the source of existence itself. Perhaps all the guessing has multiplied so greatly that now all books (about God’s world) are filled with just guesses precisely because no one remembers to make that suggestion? It would be alright if these books were at least a little worthwhile; but it is clear at first glance that they are but the fruit of childish imagination.

Articles

Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

The histories of Moscow and of the icon of Vladimir Mother of God are eternally inseparable. How many times did the Mother of God save the capital city from enemies through the grace of her holy icon? This icon has linked Apostolic times to Byzantium, Kievan Rus’ to Vladimir Rus’, and later to Muscovy, the Third Rome; as it is said, “there will be no Fourth.” The kingdom of Moscow was formed by divine providence and embraced the mystical ties of ancient empires, historical experience and traditions of other Orthodox peoples. The miracle working Vladimir icon became a symbol of unity and succession.

Commemoration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance of Moscow from the Invasion of Tamerlane

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was painted by the Evangelist Luke on a board from the table at which the Savior ate together with His All-Pure Mother and Righteous Joseph. The Mother of God, upon seeing this image, exclaimed, “Henceforth, all generations shall call Me blessed. The grace of both My Son and Me shall be with this icon.”

The Vladimir Mother of God

The Vladimir Mother of God

Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in memory of the Saving of Moscow from the Invasion of Khan Achmed

The Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

In the summer of 1395, there was an event that left a profound impression on the spiritual and historical life of the Russian people, and which became forever an example of faith and hope in God’s Providence and in the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Emperor Constantine the Great (306–337). The Importance of His Faith in the History of the Church

St. Constantine the Great, Equal to the Apostles, First Christian Emperor of Rome, builder of Constantinople and founder the Byzantine Empire. He is a military victor, effective ruler and glorified saint. There is no doubt that his contribution to world history and that of the Orthodox Church is indeed spectacular.
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