ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Orthodox Calendar
Orthodox Calendar 2020
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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
Wednesday
New Style
June 3
7th Week after Pascha. Tone 6.
Fast Day.
Fish, wine and oil allowed.

Совершается служба с полиелеемMeeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1521). 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. Cyril, bishop of Rostov (1262). 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. [Acts 23:1–11; John 16:15–23]

  The Lord says to the holy apostles before His sufferings: A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me (John 16:16). The Lord’s sufferings and death so struck the holy apostles that the eyes of their mind became dim, and they no longer saw the Lord as the Lord The light was hidden, and they sat in a bitter and wearisome darkness. The light of Christ’s resurrection dispersed this darkness—and they again saw the Lord. Thus the Lord Himself explained His words: ye shall weep, He said, and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy (John 16:20). It is said that every soul on the way to perfection experiences a similar defeat. Universal darkness covers it, and it does not know where to go; but the Lord comes, and changes its sorrow into joy. It is truly as necessary as it is for a woman to suffer before a man be born of her into the world. Can’t we conclude from this that he who has not experienced this has not yet given birth to a real Christian within himself?

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.”

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

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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