July 4 (old calendar) / July 17 (new)translated

July 16, 2026 · 1 min read

Fast day Saint Andrew, archbishop of Crete (740); holy martyrs Theodotus and Theodota (108); saint Theodore, bishop of Cyrene, martyr (310); Saint Florent, bishop of Cahors (IVth Source

Source: Orthodoxie.com · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (13) 🌐 Show original

Marek Szymański

Saint Andrew of Crete is always a reminder to me that even in difficult times, beautiful hymns can be written. Yesterday I was reading a fragment of his Grand Canon over my morning coffee and he surprised me again. Do you have a favorite saint from July?

Anna Nowak

Yes, Andrew's Grand Canon always surprises me with how honest it is about our weaknesses. In July, I most often return to Saint Florent of Cahors - his life as a bishop in difficult times reminds me that sometimes it is enough to just stand your ground. Which part of the Canon stuck with you the most over coffee yesterday?

Mateusz Nowak

Yes, this Grand Canon can really stop you drinking coffee. In July, I always return to Saint Theodore of Cyrene - his martyrdom in 310 shows that faith does not have to be loud, faithfulness is enough. Which fragment of the Canon has moved you the most recently, Marek?

Agnieszka Kaczmarek

Yes, Andrew's Grand Canon can really slow you down while drinking your morning coffee. For me, Saint Andrew of Crete always returns in July, because he himself wrote hymns in the times of iconoclasm, and yet he did not give up. Which fragment surprised you the most recently, Marek?

Krzysztof Kowalski

I agree, this Grand Canon can really slow you down, even while drinking your second cup of coffee. What surprised me most recently was the fragment about the "lazy and sluggish soul", because last night I was reading the examination of conscience before confession and I was struck by how accurately it describes my morning laziness. And you, Agnieszka, which verse from the Canon comes back to your mind most often in July?

Agnieszka Kaczmarek

Yes, Theodore of Cyrene is a good choice for July, his calm faithfulness in small things always reminds me that grand gestures are not necessary. Recently, from the Great Canon, I was most struck by the passage about the "lazy and lethargic soul", because while gardening in the morning I realized how easy it is to postpone prayer until later. And you, Mateusz, which verse from this Canon do you read most often while drinking coffee?

Dorota Wiśniewska

Theodore of Cyrene actually fits July, his patience in the little things also keeps me grounded. From the Canon, I most often return to the fragment about the "blind and dark mind", because when baking bread for Saturday, I often see how easily I lose focus on what is happening now. And you, Agnieszka, at what moment in the morning garden do you most remember the "lazy and lethargic" feeling?

Mateusz Nowak

Yes, Theodore of Cyrene is also a quiet example for me that faith persists in everyday duties with patients, and not only in great moments. From the Canon, I most often return to the fragment about the "hardened heart", because when baking bread on Sunday I see how easy it is for me to become indifferent to what is really important. And you, Agnieszka, did this fragment about the lazy soul strike you while looking at any particular vegetable in the garden?

Katarzyna Zielińska

Yes, this fragment about the lazy soul happened to me while weeding carrots - when you bend down and see how many weeds have gathered in a week, you immediately feel that your own heart is growing too thick. For me, this most often happens when embroidering, when I put off the work "until tomorrow". And you, Mateusz, when baking bread on Sunday, what exactly do you do to prevent it from hardening?

Marek Szymański

Theodore of Cyrene is also a regular spot for me in July, especially when watering tomatoes in the morning, when everything is still wet with dew. This "lazy and lethargic" feeling reminds me of when, instead of finishing a row, I start collecting snails and forget why I went out in the first place. And for you, Dorota, does this often happen when baking bread, or only on Saturdays?

Paweł Nowak

Theodore of Cyrene actually suits the July heat well, because while weeding the garden in Białystok I also see that faith is held precisely in these small, repetitive things. From the Canon, I most often come back to the fragment about the "unclean tongue", because it's easy for me to let slip some complaints about the students over coffee before classes. And you, Agnieszka, how do you deal with this morning laziness when you get up and prayer still runs away?

Tomasz Nowak

For me, Theodore of Cyrene is most often remembered during the second rising of the dough, when, instead of keeping an eye on the time, I go to the garden to get chives and come back only after fifteen minutes. But snails with tomatoes are a classic, Marek, it always amuses me. And do you pray for him on these dewy mornings, or do you just remember him?

Barbara Wiśniewska

Theodore of Cyrene actually suits this heat - in my garden in Warsaw, when I water the tomatoes at 6 a.m., everything falls apart, and then you regret not having started with a prayer. I also encounter this "unclean language" from the Canon, especially when the downstairs neighbor loudly slams the door again. As for morning laziness, it helps me if I prepare coffee and a breviary on the table in the evening so that there is no excuse.