11 Mar 2025
Julian calendar:
26 Feb 2025
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Cheesefare Sunday

Cheesefare SundayThe last Sunday before the Great Lent, Cheesefare Sunday, is also the last day of preparation.

St Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza

St Porphyrius, Bishop of GazaThis great bishop and pastor was born in Salonica of wealthy parents. He spent his youth to the age of 25 in his home town, then left his parents" home and worldly life and went off into the Egyptian desert. Under the guidance of an experienced spiritual father, the young Porphyrius became a monk and remained for five years. He then paid a visit to the Holy Land in company with his friend, the monk Mark. He lived another five years in asceticism in a cave near Jerusalem. But then his legs became weak and he was no longer able to walk. But he was always able, crawling on his knees, to be present at Divine Service. One night the Lord Himself appeared to him in a vision and healed him of the weakness in his legs, and he became completely well. When he was chosen as bishop of Gaza, Porphyrius accepted this obligation with a heavy heart. He found only 280 Christians in Gaza; the rest of the inhabitants being fanatical idol-worshippers. Only by his great faith and patience did Porphyrius succeed in bringing the people of Gaza to the Christian faith. He had to travel in person to Constantinople, to the Emperor Arcadius and the Patriarch, John Chrysostom, to beg for help in the unequal struggle against the idolators. Seeking support, he received it. The temples of the idol-worshippers were closed, the idols demolished and a fine church built with thirty marble pillars. There was especial help forthcoming from the Empress Eudoxia. Porphyrius lived long enough to see the whole city brought to the Christian faith, but only after great toil, suffering and tearful prayer on his part. He entered peacefully into rest in 421. He was a wonderworker during his lifetime and after his death. His relics are preserved in Gaza to this day.

The Holy Martyr John Calpha (Kalphes)

This saint was born in Galata in Constantinople. He was an architect by profession. He offended the Turks by his wholehearted confession of the Christian faith, and they tried to force him to become a Muslim. "I shall never deny my sweet Jesus Christ", replied John heroically, "I believe in Him, serve Him and confess Him." After harsh torture, the Turks beheaded him in Constantinople on February 26th, 1575. He suffered with honour for his beloved Christ and went to the courts of the Lord.

June 2323
SunMonTueWedThuFriSut
     Saints 13 monk-martyrs and confessors of Cyprus
1
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St. Dovmont-Timothy, prince of Pskov (1299)
2
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Venerable Agapitus, abbot of Markushev (Vologda) (1578)
3
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Martyr Sophia the Healer
4
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Evgeny Rodionov, the New Martyr of Chechnya
5
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12 Martyred Tribunes who suffered in Galatia
6
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+++ The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ
7
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Martyrs Abercius and Helen (1st c.)
8
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Venerable Therapontes, abbot of Byelozersk (1426)
9
fast-free
St. Andrew the fool-for-Christ of Constantinople (911)
10
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Hieromartyr Olbian, bishop of Aneus, and his disciples
11
fast-free
Martyr Euplos
12
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Martyrs Eusebius and Charalampus
13
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Holy Martyrs Shio the New, David, Gabriel and Paul of Gareji (1696)
14
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20,000 Martyrs with saint Erasmus (303)
15
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Venerable Athanasius, the wonderworker of Cilicia
16
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+++ Тhe descent of the Holy Ghost - Pentecost - Trinity Sunday
17
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+++ Monday of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost Monday
18
fast-free
+++ Tuesday of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost Tuesday
19
fast-free
St. Sebastian the Wonderworker
20
fast-free
Holy Hieromartyr Tevdore of Kvelta (1609)
21
fast-free
St. John of Shavtel-Gaenati, Georgia (13th c.)
22
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St. Canides, monk, of Cappadocia (460)
23
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St. Barnabus of Basa near Limasol in Cyprus
24
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Venerable John (Tornike) of Mt. Athos (998)
25
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St. Anthimus, Metropolitan of Wallachia (1716)
26
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St. Mstislav-George, prince of Novgorod (1180)
27
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Venerables Gregory and Kassian of Avnezh
28
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St. Kaikhosro the Georgian (1612)
29
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Martyr Shalva of Akhaltsikhe (1227)
30
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