ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2026
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Севастиан Римский Кириакия Римская Евфросин Синеезерский
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March 20 		Thursday
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April 2
Sixth Week of Great Lent (Palm Week). Tone 1.
Great Lent.
Monastic rule: xerophagy (bread, uncooked fruits and vegetables).

Cовершается служба, не отмеченная в Типиконе никаким знакомThe Holy Fathers who were slain at the Monastery of St. Sabbas: Sts. John, Sergius, Patrick, and others (796).

Martyrs Photina (Svetlana), the Samaritan woman; her sisters Phota, Photis, Parasceva, and Cyriaca; her sons Victor (or Photinus) and Joses; and Sebastian the Duke, the officer Anatolius, and Theoclitus, the former sorcerer—all martyred under Nero (ca. 66). Seven Virginmartyrs of Amisus (Samsun): Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Euphemia, and Theodosia (310). St. Nicetas the Confessor, bishop of Apollonias in Bithynia (9th c.). Monk-martyr Euphrosynus, founder of Sinozersk Monastery and fellow martyrs Hieromonks Sergius and Avramius, Schemamonk Ephraim, and Novice Basil (1612).

Righteous Abel, first martyr in the history of mankind. St. Martin of Braga in Iberia (580). St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, bishop (687). St. Herbert of Derwentwater, priest and hermit (687). Hieromartyr Tadros, bishop of Edessa, at Jerusalem (691). Martyr Michael the Sabbaite, at Jerusalem (691). St. Wulfram, missionary (Neth.) (703). Martyr Archil II, king of Georgia (744). New Martyr Myron of Mega Castro on Crete (1793). New Hieromartyr Nicholas Holz, priest, of Novosiolki (Chelm and Podlasie, Poland) (1944).

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

Thursday.

         Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way (Prov. 23:19). Out of the heart continually proceed thoughts which sometimes are good, but more often are evil. The evil ones should not be followed at all, but even the good ones should not always be carried out. It happens that even thoughts which are good in and of themselves are inappropriate in reality, due to circumstances. This is why it is prescribed to be attentive toward oneself, to keep an eye on all that proceeds out of the heart—to reject the evil, consider what is good, and fulfil only what proves to be truly good. But best of all would be to totally imprison the heart, so that nothing leaves it and nothing enters it without the permission of the mind; so that the mind would come first in all things, determining the movements of the heart. But the mind is this way only when it is the mind of Christ. Thus, unite with Christ in mind and heart and everything within you will be in good working order.

Articles

Martyred Holy Fathers who were slain at the Monastery of St Sabbas

Saints John, Sergius, Patrick and others were slain in the Monastery of Saint Sabbas.

St Photini, The Samaritan Woman

A significant figure in the Johannine community, the Samaritan Woman, like many other women, contributed to the spread of Christianity. She therefore occupies a place of honour among the apostles. In Greek sermons from the fourth to the fourteenth centuries she is called "apostle" and "evangelist."

Martyr Photina (Svetlana), the Samaritan Woman, and Her Sons

During the time of the emperor Nero (54-68), who displayed excessive cruelty against Christians, Saint Photina lived in Carthage with her younger son Joses and fearlessly preached the Gospel there.

Martyr Kyriake of Rome

Saint Kyriake was the sister of the Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed at Jacob’s Well (John. 4:5-42).

The Holy Virgin Martyrs Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliania, Euphemia and Theodosia

The Holy Virgin Martyrs Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliania, Euphemia and Theodosia were arrested in the city of Amisa (on the coastal region of the Black Sea) during the persecution against Christians under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311).

St. Nicetas the Confessor the Archbishop of Apollonias in Bithynia

Saint Nicetas the Confessor, Archbishop of Apollonias in Bithynia, was noted for his profound knowledge of Holy Scripture, and was a pious and kindly man.

Monkmartyr Euphrosynus of Blue Jay Lake, Novgorod

Saint Euphrosynus predicted that the Poles would come into this wilderness, and he advised everyone to flee. Many did not believe him. “Why then don’t you leave this place yourself?” they asked. The Elder replied, “I have come here to die for Christ.”

Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, Wonderworker

Dmitry Lapa

“Have faith and wholeheartedly trust God Who will never abandon those who Love Him”—these words belong to St. Cuthbert, “the wonderworker of the English land” who lived more than 1300 years ago. It is indisputable that St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is the most beloved and venerated English saint throughout the history of the country.

Holy Royal Martyrs Archil and Luarsab (†744 & †1622)

Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze

When the Muslim military leader Marwan bin Muhammad (called “the Deaf”) besieged Georgia early in the 8th century, a certain Mir, the older brother of Archil, was ruling Kartli. The armies of the ruthless invader pillaged everything in their path. Seeing this, the crown-bearing brothers Mir and Archil fled to western Georgia and, praying fervently to God and the Most Holy Theotokos for help, prepared for battle.

Martyr Archil II the King of Georgia

The Holy Martyr Archil II, King of Georgia belonged to the dynasty of the Chosroidoi, and he was a direct descendant of the holy emperor St Mirian (+ 342).
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