Thursday July 9, 2026 / June 26, 2026
6th Week after Pentecost. Tone four.
Apostles' (Peter & Paul) Fast. Fish Allowed
Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1383).
Venerable David of Thessalonica (540).
New Hieromartyr Gregory priest (1918).
St. Dionysius, archbishop of Suzdal (1385).Uncovering of the relics (1569) of Venerable Tikhon of Lukhov (1503).Translation of the relics of Venerable Nilus of Stolben Island (1995).Venerable John, bishop of the Goths in Crimea (ca. 787).Kazan "Of the Seven Lakes", "Nemetsk" (1399) and "Lidda" or Roman Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos.The Holy Martyred Brothers John and Paul, and GallicanusVenerable Serapion of Kozha Lake.Translation of the relics of St. Brannock (Brynach) of Braunton, England (Celtic & British).New Martyr David of St. Anne's Skete, martyred in Thessalonica (1813).Anthion, monk.(Greek).The Scripture Readings
Luke 1:39-49, 56 Matins Gospel1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Matthew 13:36-43
Philippians 2:5-11 Theotokos
Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28 Theotokos
Full Liturgical Calendar | Monastery Service Schedule
Prologue of Ohrid — Daily Reading
June 26 according to the Church Calendar
1. VENERABLE DAVID
David was born in Thessalonica. At first, he lived a life of asceticism in the proximity of Thessalonica in a hut built beneath an almond tree. Later, he continued his asceticism in Thessaly. So much did he purify himself by fasting, prayer and all-night vigils that he was made worthy to receive great grace from God. Once he took live coals in his hand, placed incense on the coals and censed the emperor without any injury to his hand. Seeing this, the emperor bowed down to the ground before him. He amazed many people by his numerous miracles. He died peacefully and took up habitation in eternal blessedness in the year 540 A.D.
2. THE FEAST OF THE ICON OF TIKHVIN [TICHVINE]
This icon of the Holy Birth-giver of God [the Theotokos] was first in Constantinople but in 1383 A.D., seventy years before the fall of Constantinople in 1453 A.D., it suddenly appeared in the sky near the town of Tikhvin in northern Russia. There, where it descended to the ground, a monastic community and church were established. The icon is named after the town of Tikhvin. Countless miracles were wrought from this miraculous icon; especially many of the sick received healing from it.
3. THE FEAST OF THE HOLY ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, THE GUIDE [HODIGITRIA]
The Evangelist Luke himself painted [wrote] this icon on wood. The All-holy Birth-giver of God saw this icon and blessed it. St. Luke donated this icon to the statesman Theophilus for whom he wrote the Acts of the Apostles. From Antioch, this icon was later brought to Jerusalem, from Jerusalem, Empress Eudocia took it and sent it to Constantinople as a gift to the emperor's sister, the pious Pulcheria. Pulcheria placed the icon in the church of Blachernae, her own memorial church. The All-holy Birth-giver of God once appeared to two blind men and led them into the church of Blachernae before her icon and there, restored their sight. Because of this, this icon was called Hodigitria the Guide. When the army of the Persian King Chozroes and the Scythian King Kagan attacked Constantinople, Patriarch Sergius brought this icon out to the ramparts of the city and processed with it around the ramparts. The All-holy Birth-giver of God then saved the Christians from the non-Christians. The armies of the adversaries became confused, the sea became agitated, the boats sank and the enemies who remained alive fled. From that time, the commemoration of this miracle of the All-holy Birth-giver of God was instituted on the fifth Sunday of the Honorable Fast Season [Lent] by chanting the Akathist. During the time of iconoclasm, this icon was brought to the monastery of the Pantocrator and there it was sealed in a wall and a votive light was left there to burn in front of it. As it was sealed, so it was later found.