Feasts and Saints

(†) The Dormition of the Mother of God

Orthodox Calendar, August 15 The Dormition of the Mother of God The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary: After the Ascension of the Lord, the Mother of God remained in the care of the Apostle John the Theologian, and during his journeys She lived at the home of his parents, near…

Aug 15, 2026basilica.ro

Forefeast of the Dormition of the Mother of God; Prophet Micah

Orthodox Calendar, August 14 Forefeast of the Dormition of the Mother of God The Troparion of the Forefeast invites us to gather on this day in gladness, for the Theotokos is about to depart from earth to heaven. Troparion — Tone 4 Dance with joy, O peoples! / Clap your hands with gladness! / Gather…

Aug 14, 2026basilica.ro

Leavetaking of the Transfiguration of our Lord; Translation of the relics of St. Maximus the Confessor; Ven. Dorotheus and Dositheus of Gaza

Orthodox Calendar, August 13 Leavetaking of the Transfiguration of our Lord On the Leavetaking of the Transfiguration, all of the service for the Feast is repeated, except for the Entrance at Vespers, the Old Testament readings, Litya, the Polyeleos and Gospel at Matins, and the blessing of grapes at Liturgy. The Gospel and Epistle readings…

Aug 13, 2026basilica.ro

Martyrs Photius and Anicetus

Orthodox Calendar, August 12 Martyrs Anicetus and Photius Martyrs Anicetus and Photius (his nephew) were natives of Nicomedia. Anicetus, a military official, denounced the emperor Diocletian (284-305) for setting up in the city square an implement of execution for frightening Christians. The enraged emperor ordered Saint Anicetus to be tortured, and later condemned him to be…

Aug 12, 2026basilica.ro

+) Saint Niphon, patriarch of Constantinople; Martyr Archdeacon Euplus

Orthodox Calendar August 11 Saint Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople He was a native of Greece, and accepted monasticism at Epidauros. After the death of his Elder Anthony, he went to Athos, where he occupied himself by the copying of books. The saint was later chosen Metropolitan of Thessalonica, and still later occupied the Patriarchal throne…

Aug 11, 2026basilica.ro

Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence; Hieromartyr Sixtus, bishop of Rome; Martyr Hippolytus

Orthodox Calendar, August 10 Martyr and Archdeacon Laurence Saint Laurence served as Archdeacon under Pope Sixtus in Rome during the persecution of Emperor Valerian (253–260). When Pope Sixtus was arrested together with the deacons Felicissimus and Agapitus, Laurence visited him in prison and pleaded to share his martyrdom. „Where are you going, Father, without your…

Aug 10, 2026basilica.ro

Apostle Matthias; Ten Holy Martyrs who suffered for the icon of Christ; 10th Sunday after Pentecost

Orthodox Calendar, August 9 The Holy Apostle Matthias of the Seventy He was born at Bethlehem of the Tribe of Judah. From his early childhood, he studied the Law of God under the guidance of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver (February 3). When the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to the world, Saint Matthias believed in…

Aug 9, 2026basilica.ro

+) Holy Priest-Martyr Alexander of Bessarabia; St. Emilian the Confessor, Bishop of Cyzicus; St. Myron the Wonderworker and Bishop of Crete

Orthodox Calendar, August 8 Holy Priest-Martyr Alexander of Bessarabia Hieromartyr Alexander Baltaga was born in the blessed land of Bessarabia on April 14, 1861, in the village of Lozova, Lăpușna County. He was part of a devout family that provided many worthy servants to this land. His father, Priest Ștefan Baltaga, served at Saint Nicholas…

Aug 8, 2026basilica.ro

+) Ven. Teodora of Sihla; +) Ven. Paphnutius the Iconographer; Ven. Martyr Dometius the Persian; Holy Hierarch Narcissus, archbishop of Jerusalem; Ven. Nikanor of Mount Kallistratos

Orthodox Calendar, August 7 Venerable Theodora of Sihla This spiritual flower and bride of Christ that the blessed land of Moldavia gave birth to, was born about the middle of the 17th century, in Vânători-Neamţ village, to righteous parents obedient to God. Her father, Ştefan Joldea the Armorer was a guardian at the Citadel of…

Aug 7, 2026basilica.ro

(+) Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Fish allowed)

Orthodox Calendar, August 6 Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica For an explanation of the present Feast and understanding of its truth, it is necessary for us to turn to the very start of today’s reading from the Gospel: “Now after…

Aug 6, 2026basilica.ro

Forefeast of Transfiguration; +) Saint John Jacob of Neamţ; Martyr Eusignius; St. Nonna, mother of St. Gregory the Theologian; Hieromartyr Fabian, bishop of Rome

Orthodox Calendar, August 5 Forefeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord The Lord had begun warning his disciples about the dangers they would face, and also about His Passion and death. He also told them that they would be persecuted by pagans and enemies of the Gospel. He explained that these things pertain to the…

Aug 5, 2026basilica.ro