ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2026
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Св. равноапостольный Кирилл, учитель Словенский Мученик Михаил, князь Черниговский Прп. Марон Сирийский
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Old Style
February 14 		Friday
New Style
February 27
1st Week of Great Lent. Tone 4.
Great Lent.
Monastic rule: xerophagy (bread, uncooked fruits and vegetables).

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

Friday.

   The Lord scorneth the scorners: but He giveth grace unto the lowly (Prov. 3:34). Particularly remember these words when you go to confession. Nothing like pride binds your tongue to keep it from saying, “I am a sinner.” Humble yourself before the Lord, do not spare yourself, do not fear the face of man. Reveal your shame for it to be washed; show your wounds for them to be healed; tell of all your unrighteousness that you be justified. The more merciless you will be with yourself, the more compassion the Lord will show towards you, and you will leave with a sweet feeling of forgiveness. This is that grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, given from Him to those who humble themselves through sincere confession of their sins.[1]

[1] In Russia people traditionally went to confession on the evening of this first Friday of Great Lent, in preparation for Holy Communion the next day. See the footnote for Tuesday of this week.

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.

St. Isaac of Toropets

Alexey Gunkin

Foolishness for Christ is a particular form of sanctity where spiritual gifts and virtues are consciously hidden behind external, ostensible madness.

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.
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