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St. Mary of Egypt
St. Mary of Egypt
April 1, 2021
Our venerable mother, Mary of Egypt, lived in infamy at Alexandria for 17 years, was converted at the threshold of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. She retired into the desert of the River Jordon, did penance for 47 years. She died about A.D. 421.
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2
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St. Titus
St. Titus
April 2, 2021
Our venerable father, Titus, wonderworker.
SS. Amphianus and Edesius, Martyrs, half-brothers. Amphianus, a youth arrested for his Christianity, reproached his idolatrous judge, was partially burned at the stake and thrown into the sea at Caesarea, to die, A.D. 305, in the reign of Maximian, Emperor.
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3
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St. Nicetas Venerable-Confessor
St. Nicetas Venerable-Confessor
April 3, 2021
St. Nicetas, the Great-Martyr, was a Goth and a victim of the fury of King Athanaric, ruler of the nations settled about the Danube. He was a disciple of the celebrated Ulphilas (Theophilus). He was burned to death about A.D. 78.
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5
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Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
April 5, 2021
Palm (Flowery) Sunday - Feast of the Entry into Jerusalem
According to Byzantine Catholic Tradition, the Great Forty Days Fast ends on the Friday before Palm Sunday. The following day, Saturday, celebrates the Raising of Lazarus as a prelude to the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. For many, the miracle of Lazarus was convincing proof of Christ's Divinity. The public celebration in Jerusalem was not only for Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised.
From ancient times, palm branches were symbols of victory and triumph, and were used by Romans in celebration of both military as well as civic and sporting events. Thus, when Jesus arrived the people took branches of palms and went out to greet him. In the New Testament, palm branches became a symbol of martyrdom, meaning victory over death.
The Feast of Palm Sunday dates back to at least the third century, having been celebrated first in Jerusalem and quickly spreading to all of the churches in the East, reaching Constantinople by the fifth century. It was also known as Flowery Sunday, since in and near Constantinople spring flowers (lilac, olive, or elder) were distributed to the faithful. Between the sixth and seventh centuries the feast spread to the western church. In the West, the palms are kept for an entire year, then burned, with the ashes spread on the foreheads of the faithful on Ash Wednesday as a sign of penance.
In many countries of Europe the Feast is known as Willow Sunday or Pussy Willow Sunday. Since palms do not grow in northern climates and may not be available, pussy willows, being the first flower to blossom in Spring, were often distributed. Depending on local customs, churches today may distribute palms, pussy willows, spring flowers, or a combination.
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7
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Holy Tuesday
Holy Tuesday
April 7, 2021
Ex 2:5-10; Job 1:13-22;
Mt 24:36-26:2
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9
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Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday
April 9, 2021
Is 50:4-11; 1 Cor 11:23-32
Mt 26:2-20; Jn 13:3-17;
Mt 26:31; Lk 22:43-45;
Mt 26:40-27:2 26:40-27:2
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10
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Good Friday
Good Friday
April 10, 2021
Is 52:13-54:1; 1 Cor 1:18-2:2;
Mt 27:1-38; Lk 23:39-44;
Mt 27:39-54;
Jn 19:31-37;
Mt 27:55-61
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12
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Resurrection of Our Lord Pascha
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14
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Bright Tuesday
Bright Tuesday
April 14, 2021
Simple Holy Day
Acts 2:14-21
Lk 24:12-35
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20
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Theodore the Hairshirt Wearer
Theodore the Hairshirt Wearer
April 20, 2021
Our venerable father, Theodore, surnamed "Trichinas" from the rough habit of sackcloth which he wore, was a holy hermit near Constantinople who died not later than A.D. 320.
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21
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Januarius & Others
Januarius & Others
April 21, 2021
St. Januarius, Bishop-Martyr, and SS. Proculus, Sosius, and Faustus, Deacons; St. Desiderius. Lector, SS. Eutyches and Akutionus. These were martyred in the reign of Maximian and Gallerius, Emperors, by the persecutor Timothy A.D. 305.
St. Theodore from Pergia, suffered death A.D. 142, under the Emperor Antonius Pius.
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22
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St. Theodore Sykiot
St. Theodore Sykiot
April 22, 2021
Our venerable father, Theodore, "Sykiot," died A.D. 541 in the reign of Justinian, Emperor. (Confer June 15.)
SS. Nathanael, Luke, and Clement, Apostles.
Verable, Vitalius, leaving his cell, went to Alexandria, and, enduring many indignities from the men, brought many infamous women to do penance. He died A.D. 615 in the reign of Heraclius, Emperor.
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23
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George Great-Martyr
George Great-Martyr
April 23, 2021
Simple Holy Day
Acts 12:1-11
Jn 15:17-16:2
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24
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St. Sabbas
St. Sabbas
April 24, 2021
St. Sabbas, Martyr and a Christian officer in the army of the Emperor Aurelian, suffered death for the faith in Rome A.D. 272.
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25
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St. Mark
St. Mark
April 25, 2021
St. Mark, Apostle and Evangelist, a disciple and companion of St. Peter, Apostle, wrote the Second Gospel under St. Peter's direction. He founded the great church of Alexandria and there died in prison A.D. 68 in the days of Nero, Emperor.
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26
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Sunday of the (Myrrhbearers)
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27
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St. Simeon Bishop-Martyr
St. Simeon Bishop-Martyr
April 27, 2021
St. Simeon, Priest-Martyr, son of Cleopas and kinsman of our Lord, was Bishop of Jerusalem, governed that church for over forty years, lived over one hundred years, and was crucified in the reign of Emperor Trajan A.D. 112. Venerable father, Stephen, Bishop of Vladimir.
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28
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Jason & Sosipater Apostles
Jason & Sosipater Apostles
April 28, 2021
SS. Jason and Sosipater, Apostles, were disciples of St. Paul in the reign of Nero A.D. 69.
SS. Maximus, Dadas, and Quinctillianus, Martyrs, beheaded about A.D. 303.
Venerable father, Cyril, Bishop of Turov.
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29
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Nine Holy Martyrs of Cyzice
Nine Holy Martyrs of Cyzice
April 29, 2021
SS. Nine Martyrs at Cyzice.
Venerable, Memnon, wonderworker.
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30
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James the Greater Apostle
James the Greater Apostle
April 30, 2021
St. James the Greater, Apostle, Brother of St. John the Theologian, was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa in Jerusalem A.D. 43.
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