ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2026
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Святой равноапостольный царь Константин и равноапостольная царица Елена Икона Божией Матери Владимирская Собор Карельских святых
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May 21 		Wednesday
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June 3
First Week after Pentecost (Fast-free period). Tone 7.
No fast.

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. St. Cyril, bishop of Rostov (1262). 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

Wednesday. [Rom. 1:18–27; Matt. 5:20–26]

Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:20). Characteristic of the scribes is knowledge of the law without concern for life according to the law. Characteristic of the Pharisees is correctness of outward behaviour without particular concern for correctness of thoughts and feelings in the heart. Both attitudes are condemned to remain outside of the heavenly kingdom. Let everyone receive from this the lesson he needs. If you want to learn the Gospel law, do so—but in a way that enables you to establish your life according to this knowledge. Try to be correct in your behaviour, but keep your inner feelings and dispositions correct at the same time. If you have gained some knowledge, do not stop there, but go further and understand the demands such knowledge makes of you—then act appropriately. Let your behaviour show that your feelings and dispositions are not the result of externals, but such that your external behaviour proceeds from your feelings and dispositions, and actually expresss them. If you gear yourself this way, you will be higher than the Scribes and Pharisees, and the doors of the kingdom will not be closed to you.

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.

Our Land is Saved Only Through the Prayers of the Mother of God

Hieromonk Kirill (Popov)

There is much—if not everything—we can learn from our Mother, the Theotokos. Her humility, meekness, gentleness, purity of soul and body are given to us as a lesson and example. We must not only admire Her but strive to be like Her.

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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