31 May Monday
Old Style — 18 MayToday
This year's detailed calendar has not been published yet — these are calculated dates.
Commemorated — from the synaxarion
Tap a name to open the life
The Holy Brothers David and Tarichan (693)›
Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra and the Seven Virgins: Alexandra, Tecusa, Claudia, Phaina, Euphrasia, Matrona and Julia (303)›- Holy Martyrs Symeon, Isaac and Bachthisius (IV)›
- Holy Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus and Benedimus; the Martyrs Peter, Dionysius, Andrew, Paul and Christina (249–251)›
- Holy Martyr Euphrosyne (III–IV)›
The tone and the day's psalms
What is a tone?
A tone is not a psalm number. It is the mode in which that week's resurrection hymns are sung — the whole week's Vespers, Matins and Liturgy are set in one tone.
There are eight tones, and they change each week. The cycle opens with the first tone on Thomas Sunday after Pascha and returns to the first every eight weeks; Bright Week itself has no tone of its own. A new tone begins on Saturday evening, with the new church week.
The Psalter is divided into twenty kathismata and, by the usual rule, is read through once a week. Appointed for this day:
- At Matins · kathisma 4Psalms 24–31›
- At Matins · kathisma 5Psalms 32–36›
- At Vespers · kathisma 6Psalms 37–45›
This is the usual rule. In Great Lent the Psalter is read twice a week, and the kathismata are divided differently.
Word of the day
You must consider to whom you are speaking. When you know that the hearer benefits, then talk with him; otherwise do not speak.
— The Holy Elders Barsanuphius the Great and John · #
Icons of the day's saints — from our shop
For every day — candles and incense
Honey (Beeswax) Candles, 50 pieces
Incense, Grade III
Charcoal for the Liturgy
Censer
Icon: Icon of Christ — Sinai, 6th c. · Public domain