Clement the Hymnographer

April 30














SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Our Holy Father John of Kaloktenos, Metropolitan of Thebes

April 29













SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

John the Martyr of Romania

April 28












SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Machalus of the Isle of Man

April 27

Machalus was first the leader of a band of robbers, who then preyed on travelers.  When the bishop of St. Patrick was traveling, the group made a plan to trick him by putting one of their gang, named Garban, under a cloak by the side of the road, pretending that he was dead.  When Patrick came by, Machalus would beg him to pray over the corpse, and the whole gang would set upon him.  But when they raised the cloak on Garban, he was dead.  They fell before Patrick and confessed their guilt.  Patrick prayed and restored Garban to life, and he ordered that they return their booty, but Machalus asked for a more severe penance.  Patrick told him to chain himself to a boat, row out to sea, throw away the oars and the key to his chains, and float to wherever God chooses.  Machalus obeyed, and he was washed up on the Isle of Man, where two missionaries had settled.  That day they had caught a fish that swallowed the key, and they unlocked Machalus' chains.  He became their servant.  Later, he was ordained a priest, and then the third bishop of the Isle of Man.  He is known for the division of the island into seventeen parishes.  He is buried at the church that still bears his name.  At that site, there was for many years a stone coffin, which held crystal clear water prized for healing various diseases.  Some time later, a Viking planned to rob the church, but St. Machalus appeared and struck him three times in the chest with his staff.  The Viking died, and his companions fled.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Richarius, Abbot in Picardy

April 26

Richarius was born in seventh-century France, at Cellas.  During this time, the population there was mostly pagan.  Once when two Irish priests landed on the coast trying to cross the countyr, they would have been seriously mistreated had Richarius not protected them.  In gratitude,they instructed him in the Christian faith, after which Richarius was inspired to become a priest.  After rigorous preparation, he was ordained to the priesthood and lived for some time in England.  When he returned to France, he began to preach with extraordinary zeal and great success.  He warned King Dagobert on the dangers and vanities of this world, and his responsibilities as king.  He said, "He who has to obey will only have to render account to God of himself, but he who commands will also have to answer for all his subjects."  As Richarius grew older, he gave up his responsibilities as abbot of the Celles monastery he had founded.  He lived as a hermit for the rest of his life with a disciple named Sigobard.  Afterward, the monastery of Forest-Montiers was built over his cell.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

St. Basil of Poiana Marului

Commemorated on April 25
 
Saint Basil, the Elder of Saint Paisius Velichkovsky (November 15), was born toward the end of the seventeenth century. He received monastic tonsure at Dalhautsi-Focshani Skete in 1705 or 1706, laboring in asceticism with great fervor.

Saint Basil was ordained to the holy priesthood, and became igumen of Dalhautsi in 1715. He remained in that position for twenty years, and was a wise instructor of monks, teaching them obedience, humility, and the art of the Jesus Prayer.

The fame of this great spiritual Father began to spread, so that even Prince Constantine Mavrocordat heard of him. Saint Basil’s community became known as a spiritual school of hesychasm, based on the wisdom of the Holy Fathers. When the number of his disciples increased until there was no longer room for all of them at Dalhautsi, they settled in other Sketes in the area. In this way, his influence and teaching spread to other places, inspiring a spiritual renewal of Romanian monastic life in the eighteenth century.

Saint Basil renovated the Poiana Marului (Apple Orchard) Skete near the city of Romni-Sarat between 1730-1733, then moved there with twelve disciples. In addition to his duties as Igumen of Poiana Marului, Saint Basil was the spiritual guide of all the Sketes in the Buzau Mountains. One of his most famous disciples was Saint Paisius Velichkovsky, whom he tonsured on Mount Athos in 1750.

The holy Elder Basil also wrote introductions to the writings of Saints Gregory of Sinai, Nilus of Sora, and others who wrote about the spiritual life, guarding the mind, and on the Jesus Prayer. He taught that the Holy Scriptures are a “saving medicine” for the soul, and recommended reading the Holy Fathers in order to obtain a correct understanding of Scripture, and to avoid being led astray through misunderstanding. Saint Basil also warned against any inclination to excuse ourselves and our sins, for this hinders true repentance.

Saint Basil fell asleep in the Lord on April 25, 1767, leaving behind many disciples. His influence has been felt in other Orthodox countries beyond the borders of Romania.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Nicholas the New-Martyr of Magnesia

April 24









SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian

Commemorated on April 23

The Holy Empress Alexandra was the wife of Diocletian (284-305). Her supposed death was described in the Martyrdom of Saint George, which was written immediately after his death. The empress, however, received the crown of martyrdom several years later, in 314.

Many events occurred during these years. In 305 the emperor Diocletian resigned the throne and power passed to his co-ruler Maximian Galerius (305-311), a fanatic pagan, as well as a coarse and fierce soldier. His wife was Saint Valeria, the daughter of the holy Empress Alexandra, whom Diocletian had given in marriage against her will.
Saint Alexandra raised her daughter in Christian piety. When Galerius died, the emperor Maximinus sought her hand in marriage. When he was refused, he banished Saint Valeria to Syria, where she lived with her mother.

After the death of Maximinus in 311 the mother and daughter arrived in Nicomedia, trusting in the mercy of the emperor Licinius (311-324). Together with Saint Constantine, he had subscribed to the Edict of Milan, which gave Christians the freedom of religion, but secretly he remained an enemy of Christianity. Licinius gave orders to execute the holy Empress Alexandra and her daughter Valeria. They were beheaded, and their bodies thrown into the sea.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearing Women with the Noble Joseph

Commemorated on April 22

Today we commemorate the Holy Myrrh-bearing women Saints Mary Magdalene (July 22), Mary the wife of Clopas, Joanna (June 27), Salome, mother of the sons of Zebedee (August 3), Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus (June 4). Also Saint Joseph of Arimathea (July 31), and Nicodemus.

The holy right-believing Queen Tamara of Georgia is commemorated twice during the year: on May 1, the day of her repose, and also on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women.

Synaxis of all Saints of Thessalonica.

Saint Seraphim Bishop of Phanar (December 4, 1610)

New Martyr Elias Ardunis (January 31, 1686)


New Martyr Demetrius of the Peolponnesos (April 13, 1803)

TROPARION - TONE 2

The Noble Joseph, / when he had taken down Your most pure Body from the tree, / wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, / and placed it in a new tomb. / But You rose on the third day, O Lord, / granting the world great mercy.

 TROPARION - TONE 2

The angel came to the myrrhbearing women at the tomb and said: / Myrrh is meet for the dead; / but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption! / So proclaim: The Lord is risen, / granting the world great mercy!

KONTAKION - TONE 2

You commanded the myrrhbearers to rejoice, O Christ! / By Your Resurrection, You stopped the lamentation of Eve, the first mother! / You commanded them to preach to Your apostles*: The Savior is Risen from the tomb!

* Although this passage can also be translated “You commanded Your apostles to preach:” it has been rendered in this manner in order to conform with the Gospel accounts and with the liturgical texts of this feast wherein the Myrrhbearers proclaim the Resurrection to the Apostles, thus earning them the honor of being called the “Apostles to the Apostles.


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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Beuno, Abbot of Clynnog

April 21











SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

St. Betran the Bishop of Lesser Scythia

Commemorated on April 20















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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Aelphege the Hieromartyr of Canterbury

April 19










SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Venerable Euthymius the Enlightener of Karelia and Finland

Commemorated on April 18
 
Saints Euthymius, Anthony, and Felix lived a life of asceticism in Karelia about the year 1410. Saint Euthymius founded the Karelian Nikolaev monastery. Hardly had he completed the church of Saint Nicholas and several cells, than Norwegians descended upon the monastery, burned the church and killed several of the monks in 1419. Saint Euthymius decided to rebuild.

The noble Martha asked prayers at the monastery for her sons who died in 1418 (they were the sons of Martha’s first husband, Philip). Exploring the land, the young brothers perished at the mouth of the North Dvina River, and they were buried at the Karelian Nikolaev monastery.

In life, they were distinguished for their works of charity. Their names were listed in the manuscript Lives of the Saints of the Karelian monastery. A chapel was built over the graves of the holy brothers, and in the year 1719, a church in honor of the Meeting of the Lord.

Saint Euthymius was glorified for his apostolic labors in the enlightenment of the people of Karelia. He died in the year 1435, and his relics were uncovered in 1647. There is a service to Saints Euthymius, Anthony and Felix.

Saint Euthymius is also listed under January 20 in the “Iconographic Originals” because of his namesake Saint Euthymius the Great.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Donnan, Abbot of Eigg, and the Monk-Martyrs with him

April 17















SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Agape, Chionia, and Irene, the Holy Martyrs

April 16

Reading

When the Emperor Diocletian was at Aquileia, he learned that these Saints were Christians, and had them brought before him. Because they would not deny Christ, he had them imprisoned, and when he went into Macedonia, he committed them to Dulcitius the Prefect, who, however, lost his understanding and became incapable of doing them any harm. Diocletian then gave Count Sisinius charge over them. He had Saints Agape and Chionia burned; he ordered that Saint Irene be put in a brothel, but by the providence of God this was not accomplished, and she was shot with an arrow. These holy sisters suffered martyrdom in Thessalonica in the year 295.

APOLYTIKION OF VIRGINMARTYRS AGAPE, CHIONIA AND IRENE

Plagal Of The First Tone

Since Thou hast given us the miracles of Thy holy Martyrs as an invincible battlement, by their entreaties scatter the counsels of the heathen, O Christ our God, and strengthen the faith of Orthodox Christians, since Thou alone art good and the Friend of man.

KONTAKION OF VIRGINMARTYRS AGAPE, CHIONIA AND IRENE

Third Tone

O Most fair Chionia, divine Irene, and Agape, ye are mirrors glittering with spotless virginal brightness; and ye shine like unto lightning upon the whole Church with the splendour of your contest as valiant Martyrs; and ye drive away the darkness of pain and sickness as brilliant gems of Christ God.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Michael the New Martyr of Smyrna

April 15











SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Thomais the Martyr of Alexandria

April 14









SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Zoilos the Martyr

April 13










SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Icon of the Mother of God of Belynich

Commemorated on April 12

The Belynich Icon of the Mother of God initially was in one of the Orthodox churches of the Mogilev district. After the emergence of the Unia (1596) the icon passed into the hands of the Catholics and was placed in a church of the Belynich Catholic monastery, founded in 1622-1624 by the hetman of Great Lithuania, Lev Sapega, on the banks of the River Druta, 45 versts from Mogilev. The icon was venerated both by Catholics and by Orthodox. In 1832 the monastery was dissolved, and the Catholic church became a parish church.

In 1876 the icon was given to the Orthodox after the restoration of the monastery. On April 12 of that year the first Divine Liturgy was served in the church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos on the altar table consecrated by an Orthodox bishop.

The Belynich Icon of the Mother of God is venerated throughout the Christian world.

On this day we also remember the Transfer of the Venerable Belt of the Mother of God from Zila to Constantinople in the year 942.

KONTAKION - TONE 6

We have no other help, we have no other hope, but you, O Lady. / Help us, for in you we hope, / and of you we boast, for we are your servants. / Let us not be put to shame.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):

Guthlac the Hermit of Crowland

April 11










SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2017(with 2016's link here also and further: 2015,2014  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and even 2008!):