The Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir (July 15 / July 28) faithfully served God with works of mercy and was glorified by the people as "Vladimir, the red sun." This day is celebrated as it the baptism of Rus and the beginning of the Russian Church. Its significance for Russia and the world is not to be underestimated.
"The time is coming, my brothers, and it's already on the threshold, when, with filth flooded and in agony, the aged face of the Russian people will shine like the sun and illuminate all those who are sitting in the darkness and shadow of death. Then all nations on earth will thankfully say: 'Our Russia, our martyr, the red sun!'…
Blessed are you who are weeping with Russia these days, for with her, and be comforted! Blessed are you who are grieving today with Russia, for with her you will soon rejoice.”
+ Saint Nicholas (Velimirovich) July 15/ 28 1932, Belgrade
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles to Prince Vladimir, pray to God for us!
"The time is coming, my brothers, and it's already on the threshold, when, with filth flooded and in agony, the aged face of the Russian people will shine like the sun and illuminate all those who are sitting in the darkness and shadow of death. Then all nations on earth will thankfully say: 'Our Russia, our martyr, the red sun!'…
Blessed are you who are weeping with Russia these days, for with her, and be comforted! Blessed are you who are grieving today with Russia, for with her you will soon rejoice.”
+ Saint Nicholas (Velimirovich) July 15/ 28 1932, Belgrade
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles to Prince Vladimir, pray to God for us!
O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance! Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries and by virtue of the Cross, preserve Your habitation!
This Feast of the Procession of the Honourable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (Aug 1 / Aug 14) was established jointly by the Greeks and Russians in the time of the Greek Emperor Manuel and the Russian Prince Andrei, as a memorial of the victories of the both the Russians over the Bulgars, and the Greeks over the Saracens.
“Because of the illnesses that occur in August, it was customary, in former times, to carry the Venerable Wood of the Cross through the streets and squares of Constantinople for the sanctification of the city, and for relief from sickness. On the eve, it was taken out of the imperial treasury and laid upon the altar of the Great Church of Hagia Sophia. From this Feast until the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, they carried the Cross throughout the city in procession…” —Greek Horologion, 1897
This Feast of the Procession of the Honourable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (Aug 1 / Aug 14) was established jointly by the Greeks and Russians in the time of the Greek Emperor Manuel and the Russian Prince Andrei, as a memorial of the victories of the both the Russians over the Bulgars, and the Greeks over the Saracens.
“Because of the illnesses that occur in August, it was customary, in former times, to carry the Venerable Wood of the Cross through the streets and squares of Constantinople for the sanctification of the city, and for relief from sickness. On the eve, it was taken out of the imperial treasury and laid upon the altar of the Great Church of Hagia Sophia. From this Feast until the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, they carried the Cross throughout the city in procession…” —Greek Horologion, 1897
St Herman once asked Russian naval officers docked at Kodiak, Alaska: "What do you love more than anything else and what do you wish for your happiness?”
After listening to a variety of answers, St Herman responded: “For our own good and benefit, let us at least promise to try to love God more than anything else, and to obey His holy will!”
After listening to a variety of answers, St Herman responded: “For our own good and benefit, let us at least promise to try to love God more than anything else, and to obey His holy will!”
The Tsar Ivan the Terrible was feared by everyone. It is said Ivan feared only one person on earth, Basil, the fool (yurodivi) for Christ (Aug 2). St. Basil, who roamed the streets of Moscow in rags, was unafraid to address to the Tsar's face his murderous atrocities. Yet, not only did Ivan not harm Basil, he gave him gifts.
This Y.V. Grafov painting "St Basil Miracle Worker of Moscow" calls to mind an old icon of the saint at Moscow's St Basil's Cathedral, showing the saint clad in only a loincloth and beard.
O Christ our God, Grant us the courage to be fools in the eyes of the world, so we may be wise in Your Kingdom.
This Y.V. Grafov painting "St Basil Miracle Worker of Moscow" calls to mind an old icon of the saint at Moscow's St Basil's Cathedral, showing the saint clad in only a loincloth and beard.
O Christ our God, Grant us the courage to be fools in the eyes of the world, so we may be wise in Your Kingdom.
In August, 2021, a raging wall of fire appeared ready to consume the Holy Monastery of Saint David the Elder in Drymonas, Greece. Flames 30 to 40 meters high were met with an invisible, holy and impenetrable shield causing the wall of fire to stop literally at the monastery’s doors.
By the prayers of many faithful and through the intercessions of the monastery’s holy founder, our Venerable and God-bearing Father David of Euboea, (David the Elder), and St Iakovos Tsalikis of Evia, the raging wildfire was stopped.
The miracles of St David have been numerous at the monastery over the centuries. People with physical, psychic and spiritual diseases have been healed by leaning down to venerate the Saint’s holy skull.
By the prayers of many faithful and through the intercessions of the monastery’s holy founder, our Venerable and God-bearing Father David of Euboea, (David the Elder), and St Iakovos Tsalikis of Evia, the raging wildfire was stopped.
The miracles of St David have been numerous at the monastery over the centuries. People with physical, psychic and spiritual diseases have been healed by leaning down to venerate the Saint’s holy skull.
An annual miracle occurs on the Feast of the Transfiguration (6/19 Aug) at Mt Tabor, where our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ appeared in His divine glory before the Apostles Peter, James, and John (Mt 17:1-9, Mk 9:2-8, Lk 9:28-36). After the all night vigil, at about 4 am, an unusual cloud, described as having a "different" quality covers the mountain. The Mt. Tabor area is very dry and gets little rain, yet each year the miraculous cloud arrives. People bring fruit and leave it out for the cloud's moisture to cover it.
"When, O Christ our God, Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O God Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee."
"When, O Christ our God, Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy Disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O God Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee."
The Most-Holy Theotokos was prepared for her death, announced to her by the angel Gabriel as she visited Gethsemane to honour her Son. At the commemoration of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos (Aug 15/ Aug 28 ), let us remember that we also have an end, a dormition.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!