In the last summer month, many historical and religious events are celebrated, including the Orthodox holiday on August 24 - the martyr Evpaty Kolovrat (Evpla). But the month is rich not only in significant dates, because from August 14 to 27, the Assumption Fast lasts, which all Orthodox Christians adhere to.
From history
Martyr Archdeacon Evpl lived and served in Sicily in the city of Catana, during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian. He was a fearless preacher who did not part with the Gospel, bringing his sermons about Christ to unenlightened pagans. He was not afraid of persecution and traveled through the cities.
During one of the readings of the Gospel, when Evpl communicated with the pagans around him, he was captured and handed over to the local ruler, before whom the archdeacon, as a true Christian, denounced idolatry. Saint Euples was subjected to cruel torments and, being severely wounded, was imprisoned for seven days. All this time he did not stopto pray, and the Lord, to help the martyr, created a life-giving source of water right in the dungeon so that he would not die of thirst.
At the end of imprisonment, Euplas was again brought before the judge, before whom the already strengthened and inspired archdeacon reaffirmed his faith in Jesus Christ and fearlessly accused the ruler of the shed blood of innocent Christians. For this, the martyr was subjected to a cruel execution by cutting off his head. He went there with the Gospel hanging around his neck. Even in his last moments of life, Euples did not stop reading the Holy Scriptures, and many people then accepted faith in Christ. Orthodox Christians honor the memory of the martyr Archdeacon Euplas, the Orthodox holiday on August 24, in honor of which is celebrated with a solemn church service.
Folk legend
According to popular legend, Evpaty Kolovrat devoted his life to converting pagans to the Christian faith. He never parted with the Gospel, explaining to the people its meaning. After the execution of the martyr, August 24 was considered a terrible day. People said that a ghostly white horse roamed the swamps in search of its lost rider. He rode all day, and at night he tore up cemetery graves, trying to find the owner. And no one managed to catch the white horse. People believed that on this day the souls of the innocently killed fly over the cemeteries and swamps like wandering lights.
On the day of Eupla according to the folk calendar, it was customary to start knitting winter things. The Orthodox holiday of August 24 is the day of commemoration of the martyr Archdeacon EvpatyKolovrat, who until the last minute of his life taught repentance and brought people faith in Christ.
Who is the birthday on August 24
Name days in August, Orthodox holidays in August are usually celebrated taking into account the Assumption Lent, which lasts from August 14 to 27. The two-week fast is quite strict, so only modest food is allowed. The exception is the holiday on August 19 - the Transfiguration of the Lord, when it is allowed to eat fish.
The Orthodox holiday on August 24 is rich in name days: Vasily, Mary, Fedor, Alexander, Makar, Mark, Maxim, Martin.
Memorial Day of the Martyrs Theodore and Basil
We are talking about August 24th. What holiday does the Orthodox Church celebrate on this day? On this day, the memory of the martyrs Theodore and Basil (11th century) is honored, whose relics are in the Near Caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Saint Theodore donated his fortune to those in need and went to the monastery, where Saint Basil also dwelt. In moments of despondency and sorrow, Vasily supported Theodore, not allowing him to succumb to the demonic temptation, and helped to free himself from passionate love of money. Theodore repented of his sin, and since then they have become close friends.
When, under the guise of an angel, the demon again appeared to the monk and told where the valuables were buried so that he would leave the monastery and return to the world, the comrades-in-arms buried the silver they found and even under torture did not reveal their secret to the ruling prince Mstislav.
Saints Theodore and Basil were tortured to death, and the latter was pierced by the prince himself with an arrow. Dying, Vasily predicted his death from the samearrows, and what was said was fulfilled in the Vladimir fortress during the internecine battle in 1099. Wounded in the chest, Mstislav said that he was dying for the martyrs Theodore and Basil.
Whom is customary to remember in August
The Orthodox holiday of August 24 is also the day when the martyr Sosanna is remembered with love and reverence. The Virgin Sosanna was a relative of the Pope, brought up in piety and Christianity, and preferred the service of God to carnal marriage. For this, the persecutors of Christians brutally de alt with her, and the relics of Saint Sosanna are still in Rome.
August 24 (August 11, old style) they pay tribute to the memory of the Monk Theodore, Prince of Ostrog, who rests in the Far Caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. In 1386, the Ostroh district was assigned to him, and the prince earned fame not only for significant military exploits, but above all for the defense of Orthodoxy in Volhynia. Leaving everything behind, at a fairly respectable age, the Monk Theodore took the tonsure and with the name Theodosius until his death (in 1483) served the Lord in prayer and fasting.
Assumption Fast
In the last month of summer, not only church and Orthodox holidays fall on August 24 and other dates, but also the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Lady of our Mother of God, foreshadowed by a two-week strict fast.
He is also a preparation forsignificant date. The name of the holiday comes from the word "falling asleep", since the Mother of God seemed to fall asleep for three days, after which she resurrected by the will of the Lord and ascended to heaven.
Just like August 24, what holiday is complete without a special, solemn service in the Holy Russian Orthodox Church? It's simply unimaginable. The Orthodox calendar, the holidays and fasts in August, which are marked with special dates, shows that the non-passing feast of the Assumption falls on August 28. And the last multi-day fast of the year is observed by all truly believing Orthodox people.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
After the death of Jesus Christ for many years (according to various sources, from 10 to 22 years) His Most Pure Mother was in Jerusalem, where she lived in the house of the Apostle John the Theologian, to whom Jesus entrusted Her before His execution.
She often visited the places where Jesus was crucified, died and resurrected. The Most Holy Theotokos prayed in tears, remembering the sufferings of her Son, and rejoiced at the place of His Ascension, asking Christ to accept Her to Himself soon. Having become a common Mother for all Christ's disciples, She spent her time in prayers and instructive conversations. Even Christians from other countries came to see the Mother of God and listen to Her words.
After the end of the earthly life of the Blessed Mary, the Lord himself appeared to Her, accompanied by heavenly angels, to receive Her pure soul. Leaving the earth, She told the apostles that she would always be a prayer book for them beforeGod. And the Lord placed His Most Holy Mother above His Angels.
The most pure body of the Mother of God, by Her will, was buried in a cave in the Garden of Gethsemane, next to the graves of Her parents and righteous Joseph. And since then, many miracles have happened at the burial place: diseases were healed, demons were cast out, and the blind received their sight from touching the bed of the Most Holy Theotokos. And today we feel the invisible presence of the Mother of God, and in moments of sorrow and despair we ask for her protection: “Holy Mother of God, help us!”
