In Orthodoxy there are special days that are solemn and dedicated to the celebration of sacred events. The main dates of the service circle are familiar to every believer, however, far from everyone knows about which Orthodox holiday is celebrated on August 31.
Honoring Flora and Laurel
The day of the veterinarian was first celebrated in Orthodoxy four years ago with the blessing of the church. The initiative was shown by a group of scientists from the Agricultural Academy of Sciences. A request was sent to Patriarch Kirill 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 Laurus and Frol were born in Byzantium in the II century. Having matured, they moved to Illyria (this is the territory of the former Yugoslavia). By prayers, they were able to heal the son of a powerful priest, who after that adopted the Christian faith. Hearing about this, the ruler sentenced the brothers to execution. Centuries later, the relics of the martyrs were acquired and moved to Constantinople.
In Russia, saints were perceived as patrons of any livestock. According to the well-known legend, which could be preserved in Novgorod land, on the day when the imperishable relics were discovered, animal mortality stopped. In the Balkans, it was believed that the archangel Michael taught Flora and Laurus to manage horses, even on images they are depicted surrounded by horses.
The tradition of singling out heavenly patrons to representatives of various professions appeared among Christians in the 1st century AD. e. Now, people whose job it is to save and treat animals have their protector (Orthodox Veterinarian's Day - August 31).
The veneration of John of Rylsky
The venerable John was Bulgarian and lived in the 10th century. Having met the death of his parents at a young age, he handed out all the estates to the poor, took monastic tonsure and settled on an uninhabited mountain. Subsequently, robbers drove him out of there, after which he retired to the desert and began to live in a hollow. There he remained up to sixty years, eating plants and roots, not seeing people.
Once the monk’s solitude was broken by the shepherds, and people came to him for healing. Thus the monastery was laid, where John was abbot until his very old age. After the death, the relics of the elder were transferred to Sofia, and now they rest in the city of Tarnovo. On the Orthodox holiday on August 31, dedicated to the memory of St. John of Rylsky, issues of spiritual enlightenment and faith are raised.
Emilian's Memorial Day
The holy martyr came from a noble and pious Armenian family. At that time, persecution of Christians was conducted in the country, the young man wished to suffer for Christ and retired from his native 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 persecution of pagan emperors, Emilian did not deny God. On the Orthodox holiday on August 31, dedicated to the memory of the saint, believers can offer prayers for strengthening faith and strength of spirit, ask for protection of the saint from evil thoughts and dissent.
The veneration of 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, a monastery already existed where such an icon resided (Pantovasilissa). On the walls of the monastery there are fragments of frescoes that could survive to this day.
The icon of the Mother of God “The Tsaritsa”, donated to the monastery of Gregoriat, standing on Mount Athos, is known. 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 with them are in many churches and are true miracles to believers. So, in 1991, a case was recorded when a girl with oncology saw light coming from a paper icon, and the disease began to recede. In the center where the child was treated, a chapel was erected in honor of the miraculous image.
On the Orthodox holiday on August 31, dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God “The Tsaritsa,” numerous services are performed, and believers should offer their prayers to the intercessor. Special zeal should be applied to those people whose families have cancer patients. You can visit the Novospassky Monastery and put candles in front of the images, order a prayer service for the health 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.