In Orthodoxy there are special days that are solemn and dedicated to the celebration of sacred events. The main dates of the liturgical circle are familiar to every believer, however, not everyone knows which Orthodox holiday is celebrated on August 31.
Veneration of Florus and Laurus
Veterinarian's Day was first celebrated in Orthodoxy four years ago with the blessing of the church. The initiative was taken by a group of scientists from the Agricultural Academy of Sciences. Patriarch Kirill was sent a petition with a proposal to designate the day of memory of the great martyrs Laurus and Frol as a holiday of veterinarians. The head of the church signed a decree, noting that this Orthodox holiday (August 31) can be celebrated by all Christians.
A bit of history
The brothers Lavr and Frol were born in Byzantium in the 2nd century. Having matured, they moved to Illyria (this is the territory of the former Yugoslavia). With prayers, they were able to heal the son of a powerful priest, who then accepted the Christian faith. Hearing about this, the ruler of the country sentenced the brothers to death. Centuries later, the relics of the martyrs were found and moved toConstantinople.
In Russia, the saints were perceived as patrons of any livestock. According to a well-known legend, which could be preserved in the Novgorod land, on the day when the incorruptible relics were opened, the mortality of animals ceased. In the Balkans, it was believed that the Archangel Michael taught Florus and Laurus how to handle horses, even on the images they are depicted surrounded by horses.
The tradition of allocating heavenly patrons to representatives of various professions appeared among Christians in the 1st century AD. e. Now people whose job is to rescue and treat animals (Orthodox Veterinarian's Day - August 31) have their own protector.
Honoring John of Rila
Venerable John was a Bulgarian and lived in the 10th century. Having met the death of his parents at a young age, he distributed all his estates to the poor, took monastic vows and settled on an uninhabited mountain. Subsequently, the robbers drove him out of there, after which he retired to the desert and began to live in a hollow. There he remained until the age of sixty, eating plants and roots, not seeing people.
Once the seclusion of a monk was violated by shepherds, and people reached out to him for healing. Thus, the monastery was founded, where John was abbot until old age. After the death of the elder, the relics were transferred to Sofia, and now rest in the city of Tarnovo. On the Orthodox holiday of August 31, dedicated to the memory of St. John of Rila, questions of spiritual enlightenment and faith are raised.
Emilian Memorial Day
The holy martyr came from a noble and pious Armenian family. At this time, Christians were being persecuted in the country, the young man desired to suffer for Christ and retired from his home. Once in Spoletta, Emilian led a pious life and was soon elected bishop in the city of Trebia. Many pagans, thanks to his influence, accepted the true faith, in which the miracles performed by the martyr helped.
Despite the persecutions that were staged by the pagan emperors, Emilian did not renounce God. On the Orthodox holiday of August 31, dedicated to the memory of the saint, believers can offer prayers for the strengthening of faith and fortitude, ask for the protection of the saint from evil thoughts and dissent.
Honoring the icon of the Mother of God "The Tsaritsa"
The image of the Virgin, sitting on a throne surrounded by archangels with a baby on her left hand, has been known for a very long time. In the eighth century, there was already a monastery where such an icon (Pantovasilissa) resided. On the walls of the monastery there are fragments of frescoes that have survived to this day.
The icon of the Mother of God “The Tsaritsa” is known, donated to the monastery of Gregory, standing on Mount Athos. The image of Pantanassa was presented to the monks by the wife of St. Stephen of Moldavia, Princess Maria Mangupskaya.
In Russia, images and lists from them are in many churches and are real miracles for believers. So, in 1991, a case was recorded when a girl with oncology saw the light emanating from a paper icon, and the disease began to recede. In the center where he was treatedchild, a chapel was erected in honor of the miraculous image.
On the Orthodox holiday of August 31, dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God "The Tsaritsa", numerous services are performed, and the faithful should offer up their prayers to the intercessor. Particular diligence should be applied by those people in whose families there are cancer patients. You can visit the Novospassky Monastery and put candles in front of the images, order a prayer service for the he alth of loved ones.
Instead of a conclusion
On this day, it is customary to celebrate not only church and Orthodox holidays - on August 31, name days are also celebrated. Angel Day can be celebrated by men and boys baptized under the names of George, Eugene, Gregory, Michael.
