On November 16, the faithful honor St. Princess Anne
On November 16, the Orthodox Church celebrates the day of memory of St. Princess Anna Vsevolodovna, the daughter of Prince Vsevolod I Yaroslavich.
Having received a brilliant education, Anna rejected marriage and was one of the first in her family to accept monasticism. In 1087 Andreevsky Yanchin Monastery was founded for it in Kiev.
Realizing the importance of education, Anna opened the first women’s school in Russia at the monastery. She personally taught girls reading, writing and needlework. To improve the charter and replenish the library, the princess-abbot went to Constantinople. She completed her earthly journey in 1112, leaving an example of true service to God and people.
Also on November 16, the renewal of the Great Martyr George’s Temple in Lydda (modern-day Lod, Israel) is remembered. Built under Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine, over time it became very dilapidated. The church was revived in the 19th century thanks to generous donations from Russian philanthropists and state support. In 1872 the church was solemnly consecrated again, and since then the Russian Church annually celebrates this event.
November 16 celebrate the name day Alexander, Anna, Bogdan, Vasily, Vincent, Vladimir, Evdokia, Ivan, Ilya, Joseph, Kuzma, Nikolai, Pavel, Peter, Semen, Sergei, Fedor, Fedot.
