The Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ: Since the second century, the Church has celebrated the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River for our sanctification. Troparion At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, worship of the Trinity was revealed; for the Father’s voice bore witness to You, calling You […]
Tag Archives: feast day
Jan. 1 The Circumcision of Our Lord and the Commemoration Our Holy father Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia
The circumcision of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ: Coming eight days after the birth of Christ, this feast commemorates his naming and his becoming a member of the Covenant of Moses. Our Holy father Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, who is called “great” in learning and wisdom. He taught meditation […]
Dec. 26 The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos; The Holy Martyr Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis
The synaxis of the Theotokos: On the second day of the Christmas feast, the Church gives glory and praise to the most holy Theotokos, who bore our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ. The holy martyr Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis in Lydia, was forced into exile on account of his veneration of the Holy Images […]
Dec. 25 The Nativity of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Christos Rozdajetsja! Slavite Jeho! The Nativity in the Flesh of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ: “When the fullness of time was come, God sent his only-begotten Son” (Galatians 4:4) to save the human race. Nine months after his conception in the womb of the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, […]
Dec. 8 The Feast of the Maternity of Anna
The Feast of the Maternity of the Holy Anna, mother of Our Blessed Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary: According to tradition, Joachim and Anna were childless for fifty years of their married life. In their old age, they were promised that a daughter would be born to them. After nine months, St. […]
Nov. 21 Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
According to Holy Tradition, the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anna, praying for an end to their childlessness, vowed that if a child were born to them, they would dedicate it to the service of God. When the Most Holy Virgin reached the age of three, the holy parents decided to fulfill […]
Sept. 23 The Conception of the Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist
The Conception of the Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist: On this day are celebrated God’s mercy, His wondrous deeds, and His wisdom. The holy Prophet Malachi prophesied that before the Messiah’s birth His Forerunner would appear, and would indicate His coming. The Jews therefore in awaiting the Messiah also awaited the appearance of His […]
Sept. 14 The Exaltation of the Honorable and Life-giving Cross
The Exaltation of the Precious, Holy, and Life-Creating Cross, which is exalted and honored the day after the dedication of the basilica of the Resurrection built over the tomb of Christ, just as the trophy and sign of his paschal victory would appear in heaven, at last foretelling his second advent to all. Troparion […]
Aug. 29 Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John
Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John: Because John had denounced Herod Antipas for putting away his own wife and marrying the wife of his brother Philip, Herod imprisoned John. At a feast held in honor of Herod’s birthday, his stepdaughter Salome danced for him. Herod promised her anything; her mother Herodias told […]
Aug. 15 The Dormition of the Theotokos
The Dormition of the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary: Tradition relates that the Mother of God died in Jerusalem, after a visit with all of Christ’s apostles. They carried her coffin to the Garden of Gethsemane where it was placed into a tomb. The apostle Thomas came late and asked that the tomb be […]