Daily Calendar – September 14
The 257th day of the year; 108 days remain until the New Year.
Church Calendar
The Beginning of the Indiction—the Ecclesiastical New Year.
Venerable Simeon the Stylite of Aleppo (459); Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Miasina Monastery (commemorating the finding of her holy icon in 864). Martyr Aithalas the Deacon (380); the 40 Virgin Martyrs and their teacher, the Martyr Ammon the Deacon (4th century); Martyrs Callista and her brothers, Evodius and Hermogenes (309); Righteous Joshua, son of Nun (16th century BC).
Simeon was born in the village of Sisan in Cappadocia, into the family of the devout Christians Susotianes and Martha. Upon turning eighteen, Simeon embraced monastic life, was tonsured a monk, and dedicated himself to the ascetic labors of strict fasting and unceasing prayer. Subsequently, the Venerable Simeon withdrew into solitude; he himself erected a four-meter-high pillar, fashioned a small cell atop it, and began an ascetic life of strict fasting and intense prayer. The saint continually increased the height of his pillar; eventually, it reached a height of forty cubits. Women were forbidden to approach the pillar; in this regard, the Venerable Simeon made no exception even for his own mother. She never saw her holy and ascetic son again, and she surrendered her soul to the Lord near the enclosure of the pillar. People marveled at the saint's spiritual fortitude and physical endurance—gifts with which the Lord Himself had rewarded His faithful servant.
The first to learn of the Venerable Father's passing was one of his disciples, the Venerable Anthony. The saint was buried near the pillar itself, and the Venerable Anthony founded a monastery at the site of his great teacher's ascetic labors.
Commemoration of the Holy Martyr Aithalas the Deacon. Saint Aithalas was stoned to death by the Mazdeans for confessing the name of Christ; this occurred in the year 380.
Commemoration of the 40 Holy Ascetic Virgins and their teacher, Ammon the Deacon. They suffered for the sake of Christ's name in the Macedonian city of Andriapolis. The city governor subjected these martyrs to many severe torments in an attempt to persuade them to renounce Christ and worship idols, but in vain—the saints' resolve remained unshaken. They steadfastly confessed their faith in Christ and refused to offer sacrifices to idols. They were burned alive.
Commemoration of Callista and her own brothers, Evodus and Hermogenes. They were natives of the city of Nicomedia. For confessing their faith in Christ, they were brought before a pagan judge and subsequently beheaded.
Commemoration of Saint Joshua, son of Nun. After the death of the Holy Prophet Moses, he became the leader of the people of Israel. Through Joshua, the Lord wrought many great miracles for the Israelite nation. He passed away at the age of 110 (14th century BC).
Born:
1849 – Ivan Pavlov, Russian scientist and physiologist.
1873 – Mikheil Mamulashvili, landscape gardener and Honored Worker of Art of Georgia. 1915 – Sergo Kobaladze, Georgian physician (internist), Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor.
1934 – Amiran Chichinadze, screenwriting dramatist, Honored Worker of Art.
1942 – Eliso Virsaladze, renowned Georgian pianist.
Died:
1984 – Nodar Dumbadze, writer.
1901 – William McKinley, 25th President of the USA.
1927 – Isadora Duncan, famous American dancer.
Events:
1812 – Napoleon Bonaparte captured Moscow.
1829 – The Treaty of Adrianople was signed. The Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829 ended. The Georgian cities of Poti, Akhalkalaki, and Akhaltsikhe, along with part of the historical Samtskhe-Saatabago region, came under Russian control.
1866 – George Anderson patented the typewriter ribbon.
1901 – US President William McKinley died after his scarf got caught in a car wheel.
1959 – "Luna 2" became the first spacecraft in the world to reach the Moon. 1984 – Joe Kittinger became the first person to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in a balloon.
Notable days:
USA – National Anthem Day.
Guatemala, Nicaragua – San Jacinto Day.