1 August - 110th Anniversary of the canonization of Saint Seraphim of Sarov in Russia

Saint Nickolas II is carrying relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov - August, 1903

Our Righteous Father St. Seraphim the Wonderworker was born in the town of Kursk, Russia in 1759. In 1825, the Most holy Theotokos appeared to the Saint. This good soul and servant of our Lord fell asleep in the Lord on January 2/15, 1833. In Sarov on July 19/August 1, 1903, he was canonized a saint and in the year of 1903 and in the year 2003 will be the One Hundred Anniversary of his holy canonization. It was the Royal Martyrs Tsar Nicholas, and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia who promoted the idea of the act of Holy Canonization to the Synod of Bishops and as well attended the services of Canonization. While St. Seraphim lived many miracles took place, and many people found God once again, as well where healed from sickness, all because of the prayers of this loving Saint. Even after St. Seraphim reposed in the Lord miracles continue to happen until this day.

1 August - Yorkshire Day (Great Britain)

On this day people celebrate the historic English county of Yorkshire, the largest region in England. Also it's an anniversary of the Battle of Minden which was in 1759.
Celebrate this fantastic county!

30 July 1818 - Emily Jane Brontë , an English novelist and poet, was born

Emily Bronte was born on July 30th 1818 at Thornton, Bradford in Yorkshire, fifth child of the six children. Her mother died of cancer in 1821. In 1824 she attended the newly opened Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge. While there along with her sisters Maria, Elizabeth and Charlotte they suffer the harsh regime, cold and poor food. In June 1825 Emily and her sisters were finally taken away from the school for good.

Emily and Anne write poetry and stories for their imaginary world of Gondal. Few survive, but they worked together on poems and the Gondal sagas into the 1840's.

In July 1835 she enrolled at Miss Wooler's school at Roe Head Mirfield which lasted for 3 months, returning to Haworth in October.

In February 1842 Charlotte and Emily left Haworth for the Pensionnat Heger at Brussels. While there they learnt French, German and Music. In November 1842 Emily returns to Haworth with Charlotte.

In September 1845 Charlotte inadvertently discovers Emily's poems. Emily is angered by the intrusion into her private writings. Her sister convinced her to collaborate on a book of poems. About this time it is thought Emily started to write Wuthering Heights. 

30 July - Father-in-law Day in the USA

 Dad 
Anonymous 
 The joy of a morning in spring, 
The faith of a mustard seed, 
The patience of eternity, 
The depth of a family need, 
Then God combined these qualities, 
And there was nothing more to add, 
He knew his masterpiece was complete, 
And He called it - Dad. 

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Russian Christianity is turning 1025 years old

On July 24 celebrations are starting in Russia that are dedicated to the 1025th anniversary of Christianity in Russia. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church patriarch Kirill will lead the service in the country’s main cathedral – the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The 1025th birthday of Russian Christianity will be marked by church services and cross processions not only in Russia, but also in Belorussia and Ukraine.

The festivities start on the day of celebrating St. Princess Olga, which is quite symbolic. It is a known fact that she was secretly baptized Christian in Constantinople three decades prior to the official adoption of Christianity by the Kiev Rus. The choice of religion made by the princess, which was later confirmed by prince Vladimir, in the end determined the future of Rus, patriarch Kirill is convinced.

28 July 1015 - Vladimir Sviatoslavich the Great, "the Red Sun", prince of Novgorod, grand prince of Kiev, died

Vladimir Svyatoslavich the Great (c. 958 – July 15, 1015, Berestovo), also known as Saint Vladimir of Kiev, was the grand prince of Kiev who converted to Christianity in 987 and is generally credited as the person most responsible for the Christianization of Russia.

The illegitimate son of Prince Sviatoslav I of Kiev, Vladmir consolidated the Kievan Rus' from the Ukraine to the Baltic Sea through his military exploits. During his early reign, he remained a zealous pagan, devoting himself to the Slavic-Norse deities, establishing numerous temples, and practicing polygamy. In 987, however, he converted to Christianity as a condition of a marriage alliance with Anna, the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Basil II. He then ordered the conversion of Kiev and Novgorod to the Orthodox Church and began the destruction of other faiths.

The Christianity of Rus'

After his conversion, and with the Byzantine Empire now his ally, Vladimir was able to live for the most part in peace with his neighbors and devote new resources to education, legal reform, and charitable works. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the feast day of St. Vladimir on July 15. A large number of legends and Russian folk songs were written in Vladimir’s memory.

28 July - National Milk Chocolate Day in the USA

Chocoholics unite—it’s National Milk Chocolate Day!

How is milk chocolate different from other chocolates? It's a mix of cocoa solid and either dry or condensed milk. While dark chocolate is traditionally used as a baking ingredient, this sweet treat is used to make chocolate candy bars, hot chocolate, and many delicious desserts.

Did you know that chocolate actually has mood-enhancing benefits? That’s right—chocolate can make you happy! This is due to the fact that it contains a stimulant called theobromine and a compound called anandamide. Now that’s a reason to celebrate!

Today, enjoy milk chocolate your favorite way. Happy Milk Chocolate Day!

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28 July (Fourth Sunday in July) - National Parents Day in the USA

In 1994 President Bill Clinton signed into law the resolution unanimously adopted by the U. S. Congress establishing the fourth Sunday of every July as Parents' Day, a perennial day of commemoration similar to Mother's Day and Father's Day. According to the Congressional Resolution, Parents’ Day is established for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children."

The establishment of Parents’ Day was the result of a bipartisan, multiracial and interfaith coalition of religious, civic and elected leaders who recognized the need to promote responsible parenting in our society and to uplift ideal parental role models, especially for our nation's children.

Since the creation of this annual day of commemoration, local faith communities, elected officials and activists throughout the nation have creatively launched many activities around the theme of Parents' Day designed to celebrate and strengthen the traditional, two-parent family.

The National Parents' Day Council does not envision Parents' Day to be yet "another" day to honor parents, but rather a day when parents honor their children and the God-centered family ideal by rededicating themselves to manifest the highest standard of unconditional true love.

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26 July - Aunt and Uncle's Day

Aunt and Uncles Day honors a very special pair of relatives. They are your mom and dad''s brothers and sisters. We hope you have a lot of Aunts and Uncles. The more, the merrier. They have the inside scoop on your parents. They grew up as the siblings who witnessed all the bad behavior and missed curfews, not to mention they are the perfect source for embarrassing stories. And on another note, they can be like extra parents, ready to give you advice, cheer you up, and look out for you.

So give your favorite aunt or uncle a call, pay them a visit, or send them a little present to thank them for all they do. Our Aunts and Uncles mean a lot to us. Among other things, they are most likely:

The backup caretaker when mom and dad go out, or are at work.
Real characters at family get-togethers and events.
Someone we can talk to and related to..... some things we just can talk about with "parental units".

Sound counsel and advice.
Someone who takes you to fun places and events.
Someone whose house is a great place to sleepover, especially if you have cousins.

The ones who give you great presents for birthdays, Christmas and special events.

And, the benefits of Aunts and Uncles goes on, and on, and on, and.........
Celebrate Aunt and Uncles Day by spending time with your Aunts and Uncles. If you can't visit, make a phone call. And, send them an Ecard.

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25 July 1834 - Samuel Taylor Coleridge, an English poet, literary critic and philosopher, died

Coleridge was born on 21 October 1772 in Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire. His father, who was the vicar of Ottery and the headmaster of its grammar school, died when he was yet a boy, in 1781. Thereafter, to continue his education, Coleridge was enrolled at Christ's Hospital in London (an institution famously described in an essay by Charles Lamb). After ten years there he matriculated in Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was known for his wide reading and impressive eloquence. Financial problems, however, drove him from Cambridge, and in his third year he interrupted his education and traveled to London to enlist in the 15th Dragoons, using the pseudonym Silas Tomkyn Comberbache. His friends, recognizing how ill-suited he was for military life, were able to buy him out of this improbable misconception of his destiny and persuaded him to return to Cambridge.

24 July 969 - Saint Olga, "Olga of Kiev", wise Olga, died

Princess Olga’s life was full of great deeds described in numerous historical records, as well as legendary facts that are still disputed by historians today.

According to the most traditional theory, recorded in the Primary Chronicle, Olga was born in Pskov (currently a city in the northwest of Russia) into a family of Varyag origin. Varyags were also known as Vikings or Norsemen, who came to the territory of current Russia, Ukraine and Belarus during the 8th and 9th centuries. This theory about Olga’s birth also explains the origin of her name, which is derived from the Scandinavian “Helga.” Other historical versions state that Olga was either a daughter of Oleg Veshchy, the founder of the state of Kievan Rus, or had Bulgarian roots.

23 July - National Hot Dog Day in the USA

This photo of The Wiener's Circle is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Hot dogs are one of the most iconic American foods. No cookout or baseball game would be complete without a delicious hot dog served on a bun and covered in ketchup, mustard, onions, relish, or chili.

Hot dogs (which are also known as frankfurters, franks, wieners, dogs, and red hots) have been around since the late 1800s. Today, the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council estimates that Americans consume 20 billion hot dogs a year!

To celebrate National Hot Dog Day, cook up some hot dogs for dinner tonight. Invite some friends over for an impromptu cookout and celebrate this yummy all-American favorite.

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A Parable about faith

"Do you believe in magic?"  Life asked. 

"No, I don't, - the man who was selling sweets, asked,  "just children believe in magic, they are dreamers."
"Do you believe in the Eternal Love?" Life asked.
"No, I don't" a man asked, "Love doesn't exist, just chemistry connects us with another man, and its action ends in three years, then it's just an attachment."
"Do you believe in the Dream?" Life asked. 
"No, I don't" a man asked, "Just  fools dream."
"Do you believe in the Kindness?"
"No, I don't. The people are wicked, they are just afraid to demonstrate it. Kindness  is a lie."
"But what do you believe in?"

"I beleive in unwillingness of parents to give their children money for sweets. Due to this I can't earn enough money to live as I want."
"Do you believe in wishes?"
"Yes, I do, but my wishes are never realized."
"Poor thing," Life asked. "Magic will never be with you, you will never meet the Eternal Love, your dreams will never be fulfilled, you won't make out the Kindness and your wishes will never be realized..."
"But why?!" the seller cried.
"Because you should beleive in everything, even if just a little. Faith gives opportunities. Opportunities show directions. Directions discover ways. And ways...leads to fulfilment of your wishes."

22 July 1878 - Janusz Korczak, a Polish-Jewish educator, children's author, was born

Life is the most precious gift, and the Hero is the one who gives it for the others. Yanush Korchak, Polish kid's writer, is the right person to prove that. And now, when the Second World War is so far away, we should remember those who showed the complete courage and heroism having just one goal - to make somebody feel less bitter.

Yanush Korchak was a principle of a school for Jewish kids who lost their parents. Every day he had to think what food he would give them, living in the occupied Warsaw. But also the other aim of an old doctor was to make his kids happy with only the help of his love and understanding. Korchak opened the door to childhood - and left it wide open for us in his books.

So, as we've already told, in those times there was the Second World War. The Nazis decided to send poor Jewish children to Treblinka death camp - maybe, the worst place you can imagine. That was the place where grownups, and - lots of children - were to be killed as those who were of no use for their new world. And the principle followed his students in their last journey...

21 July 1796- Robert Burns, a Scottish poet and lyricist, died

Early life

Robert Burns was born on 25 January 1759 in the village of Alloway, two miles south of Ayr. His parents, Willian Burnes[s] and Agnes Broun, were tenant farmers but they ensured their son received a relatively good education and he began to read avidly. The works of Alexander Pope, Henry Mackenzie and Laurence Sterne fired Burns's poetic impulse and relationships with the opposite sex provided his inspiration. Handsome Nell, for Nellie Kilpatrick, was his first song.

Hard physical labour on the family farm took its toll on the young Burns, who increasingly turned his attentions towards the passions of poetry, nature, drink and women which would characterise the rest of his life. He fathered twins with eventual wife Jean Armour, but a rift in their relationship nearly led to Burns emigrating to the West Indies with lover Mary Campbell (his Highland Mary). Mary's sudden death and the sensational success of his first published collection of verse kept him in Scotland. At just 27, Burns had already become famous across the country with poems such as To a Louse, To a Mouse and The Cotter's Saturday Night.