The orthodox saints calendar celebrates the lives of the early Christian Church’s saints. Traditionally, the dates of Easter were determined by astronomical calculations, using an imaginary moon called the ecclesiastic moon, the first full moon following the vernal equinox. However, that dates have changed over time. Today, the Orthodox Easter is slightly later than the Roman Catholic Easter.
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St Polychronius
St Polychronius was born to peasant parents and was known for his asceticism and piety. His prayers were so powerful that a spring sprung up near his village, which he used to build a church. He was also a reader at the Council of Nicaea, and his work and prayers earned him a generous sum. He also served as a deacon and priest, and is listed on the orthodox saints calendar.
Polychronios was born in the 4th century A.D. He was raised by farmers, and his father encouraged him to read the sacred books. He developed great comprehension and self-control and was eventually made worthy of God’s grace. As a boy, he prayed for a well near his father’s home.
St Stephen’s Day statue
Saint Stephen’s Day is celebrated by Orthodox and Catholic Christians in most of Europe. It is a day of commemoration of the first martyr and deacon of Christianity. In the Gregorian calendar, this is December 26, whereas in the orthodox calendar, it falls on January 7. The saint’s name is a reference to the medieval title Stefan, which was used by Serbian rulers.
One of the largest celebrations of the day is the display of the statue of St Stephen. In some parts of Europe, the statue is on display in churches. The statue depicts Saint Stephen carrying the stones of his martyrdom and the palm of his martyrs.
Sts Demetrius and Pakhomius
Saint Demetrius (known as Demetrius the New), a Russian monk, was born into a wealthy merchant family in the town of Pereyaslavl, Russia. He later became close to Saint Sergius and became godfather to the Great Prince Demetrius Ioannovich. The young monk, who died in 1334, decided to withdraw to a remote location to pursue his pious goals. He took a friend named Pachomius, and went north.
Other notable figures of the early Church are St. Nilus, a brother of Emperor Theodore Laskaris, and St. Pakhomius, a monk at Nerekhta. These monks were also known for their work as iconographers. Another popular saint is St. Bogolep, a monk of the Uglich Monastery. There are also many other saints associated with the city of Kiev.
Sts Nativity of the Theotokos
Sts Nativity of the Theotok on the orthodox saints calendar focuses on the birth of the Most Holy Virgin Mary. This event took place in Jerusalem, where many icons depict the Holy Theotokos trampling a serpent and holding her infant daughter. One of the largest icons depicting this event is located in the village of Minkovetsa, Volhynia diocese. In Russia, this day is especially venerated by pregnant women.
The Feast of Sts Nativity of the Theotokkos has several different celebrations. People in France used to bring grapes to the church to be blessed, though that day is too early for grapes. Nowadays, grapes are often attached to statues of the Theotokos, and people eat festive meals that feature grapes. In parts of India, Sts Nativity of the Theotokos is celebrated by throwing flowers at statues of the infant Theotokos.
Sts of Vyatka
The Sts of Vyatka are venerated on the Orthodox calendar. Their feast day falls on May 2 of each year. Their patron saint is St. John, a man of prayer and a wonderworker. The calendar includes the Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
The history of Sts of Vyatka dates back to the Middle Ages. This is when the earliest Christians first came to Ukraine. The region was known for its gold mines and silver mines, and the area surrounding them was considered a holy place. The Russian Orthodox Church has preserved many relics from these times.
Saint Basil was born to pious Christian parents in the third century. As a young child, he showed a great love of virtue. He abstained from breast-feeding every Wednesday and Friday until evening, and he was known for his devotion to silence and solitude. The saint was also a great evangelist, and he baptized countless people.
