The church holiday on May 16 is the day of memory of the Monk Theodosius of the Caves, Peter the Wonderworker of Argos and the Patriarch of Constantinople Nicholas Mystic. In addition, according to the folk Orthodox calendar, this day is considered the day of the Moors of the Milkwoman. May 16 is also a secular holiday (Biographer's Day).
Patriarch Nikolai Mystic
May 16 in the church is primarily the day of Patriarch Nikolai Mystic. He was born in Italy in 852. In his youth he came to Constantinople, where he was educated under the leadership of St. Photius. A few years later, the reigning emperor Leo made him a personal secretary for secret affairs - “mystic”. And a little later, Nicholas was elected patriarch of Constantinople. Soon there was a break with the imperial family. Patriarch Nicholas did not approve the fourth marriage of the Leo ruler, declaring it illegal and excommunicating the emperor. For which he was sent into exile in the monastery of Galacrena. However, the emperor soon forgave him and returned him to the patriarchal throne, having removed Nikolai Yefimiy, who was put to this post after the disgrace. After the death of the ruler in 913, Nicholas was appointed regent of a minor heir. During his rule by the state, the patriarch conducted a military expedition crowned with victory against the Muslims, expelling them from Italy, crushed the rebellion of Konstantin Duki and defeated the Bulgarian prince Simeon, who besieged Constantinople.
The church holiday on May 16 - the day of Patriarch Nicholas - is celebrated so that Christians do not forget this famous figure who made a huge contribution to the development of the church. Mystic died on May 15, 925 and was buried in the monastery of Galacrena.
Saint Peter the Miracle Worker
May 16th is also the day of Peter the Wonderworker. He was born in a wealthy family. His mother and father, two brothers and a younger sister gave up worldly life and took tonsure. Peter continued his secular education for some time, after which he followed suit. The elder brother of the Miracle Worker Paul was appointed bishop of Corinth. Peter followed him, but began to live outside the city in the desert. Around the same period, a bishop dies in Argos, and the townspeople turn to Paul with a request to appoint Peter to the vacant post. However, Peter rejects this offer. But after a certain time he still accepts it.
One of the miracles performed by this saint, in whose honor the holiday of May 16 was established, occurred in 927. Then the whole Peloponnese was seized by hunger. To protect people from death, Peter began to give them stocks from his barns. However, soon the products ran out. There was only one jug of flour left. Peter ordered to distribute food further. The flour did not end in the jug until all the hungry were full. This saint also had a gift of insight. For example, he predicted the disasters that actually befell the state in 923–925.
Pyotr the Wonderworker died after 928. The inhabitants of Argos and the inhabitants of Navplia claimed for his power. As a result, the first won. Over the centuries, countless miracles have been performed at the relics of Peter.
Theodosius of Kiev Pechersk
To the question of which holiday is May 16, there is another answer. On this day, St. Theodosius of Kiev-Pechersk is commemorated . He was born in the city of Vasilev, near Kiev, approximately in 1036. At the age of seven, Theodosius began to learn to read and write, and later entered the school. The saint decided to become a monk at the age of fourteen. But his desire was not approved by his mother. However, the boy was firm in his intentions and left home with wanderers in Palestine. But he could not get to the holy land. Theodosius overtook and forcibly returned home. However, not for long: soon he fled to Kiev, where he took tonsure. At the age of 26, Theodosius was appointed hegumen of the Pechersk Monastery. He died on May 16, 1074.
Mavra Thrush
Memorial Day of Peter the Wonderworker, Nicholas Mystic and Theodosius of Kiev Pechersk established by the official church. In addition, an Orthodox holiday is celebrated on May 16 - the Moorings of the Milkwoman, which is also called the Moor-Green Cabbage Soup and the Moor-Breeding House. It was established in honor of the spouses of Mavra and Timothy, who lived at the end of the third century. They were cruelly tortured for their firmness in the faith, after which they were crucified on the cross.
Green cabbage soup is called the day of the martyr of Moors because it was in the middle of May that the housewives began to cook soups from fresh herbs - quinoa, nettle and sorrel. This made it possible to restore and improve the body after winter. This holiday is called a thrush because cows that day, having eaten fresh, recently sprouted grass, gave the most delicious milk of the year.
Other holidays May 16, 2014
May 16 also marks the day of two icons - the Svensk Pechersk Mother of God and the Kiev Pechersk Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is believed that the latter was presented to the Greeks by the Virgin Mary herself. She appeared to them in 1073 in the Church of Constantinople in Blachernae. The Svensky icon is located in Bryansk, in the Svensky monastery. She was brought to this city in 1288 at the request of the blind prince Roman, who, having prayed for her, received miraculous healing.
Biographer's day
What holiday is celebrated on May 16th yet? In the distant 1763, two talented people met for the first time - writer James Boswell and linguist Samuel Johnson. Their friendship lasted for many years. After 28 years, James Boswell’s book, The Life of Samuel Johnson, was released. It is a sample of the work that all biographical writers are equal to today. Since then, the day of the first meeting of friends - May 16 - is celebrated as the Day of the biographer.
Such church and secular holidays were celebrated on May 16, 2014. This spring day is significant for both believers and those who write biographies of celebrities.