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If anyone knows when the feast of St. Sophia (Holy Wisdom), not the martyr, is, please post it here.

A tropar exists for Holy Wisdom, but I do not know of the date of the feast, or a day on which churches such as Agia Sofia (Constantinople) or Sviata Sofia (Kyiv) celebrated thier feast days.

Daniil

Daniil, in the Greek tradition it seems in general that the Monday of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost Monday) is the usual day of commemoration for those churches dedicated to Holy Wisdom/Hagia Sophia. I have a Greek priest friend who was transferred to a Holy Wisdom church, and at least that's what he does. The Greek Orthodox cathederal in Washington, D.C. also commemorates the feast of Holy Wisdom on Pentecost Monday.

In the Kyivan tradition, there does not seem to be a similar consistent answer. The dedication of St. Sophia in Kyiv is commemorated on May 11th, which is also the feast day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. I have also heard mid-Pentecost mentioned, although why I don't know.

It's interesting that the first irmos of the 9th ode for the canon of Matins for the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius starts with "in unspeakable wisdom, the Word of God descended to renew Adam..."

The connection between the feast of Mid-Pentecost and "Holy Wisdom" would stem from the fact that in the icon for this day, Christ is presented in the midst of the elders of the temple, "the teachers of the law," demonstrating his knowledge of God's word to them (his wisdom).

Likewise the Gospel of the day is of this scene:

John 7:14-30

When the feast (ed. note: of tabernacles) was already half over, Jesus went up into the temple area and began to teach. The Jews were amazed and said, "How does he know scripture without having studied?" Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not my own but is from the one who sent me . . .

While the feast has a heavily eucharistic theme, the kontakion mentions, "O Christ, when the feast was half completed you told those present, "Come and draw the water of immortality . . . " (paraphrase).

Rather than earthly water, Jesus is speaking of that which does not perish but leads to God's kingdom, therefore being "wisdom."

Fr. Joe

Fr. Joe,
I'm getting off the topic here, but I would like some information. My uncle was an Archpriest at St. Nicholas Church in South Brooklyn and I was an altar-boy there for many years. The address of the church was 261 - 19th street between 5th and 6th avenues. When I left the parish we constructed the parish hall and the new church was not as yet constructed. Do you have any information of this parish? Have they completed the construction of the church? What's the size of the parish today? Would you have any pictures of the church? The name of my uncle was Archpriest Clemente Preima. Once again forgive me of getting off the subject.
Lauro

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Ipremia, I am not Father Joe, but here is the address and phone number if you are interested. God Bless!

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church
256-19th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 389-8744

IC XC NIKA,
-Nik!

Dear Daniil,

The Feast of the Icons of Holy Wisdom at Kyiv and at Novhorod is celebrated on the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God in our Church, September 21st.

A number of Wisdom icons are celebrated on that day, together with other icons of the Mother of God, such as that of Pochaiv, Kholm etc.

Alex

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Today, September 17, is the commemoration of the Holy Martyr Sophia (Wisdom) and Her Three Children, Faith, Hope and Charity in the Byzantine Ruthenian Metropolia of Pittsburgh.
Prayers to all.
Fr Deacon El

Dear Reverend Deacon,

Yes, but that wasn't the feast Daniil was referring to.

Alex

Thanks for all the information.

I guess for Slavs, we can pick to do whatever we want (pretty much) regarding this feast day.

This is more than enough information, but if someone knows anything not mentioned here, please post away. Thank you.

Daniil

I heard once that a hymn is sung to "Holy Wisdom" on August 15, the Feast of the Dormition of Mary in the Russian Orthdox Church. Is this hymn to the saint Sophia or someone else? Thanks.

Dear Theosis,

The icon of the Dormition is, in and of itself, an icon of "Holy Wisdom."

On the Feast of the Dormition, there are a number of miraculous icons of the Dormition that are venerated, chief among them is the miraculous one that is hung above the Royal Doors of the iconostasis in the main Church of All Saints of the Kyivan Caves Lavra, the holiest place in all of historic Rus'.

This feast celebrates the Divine Wisdom, Who is Christ, and His salvation for us.

The Mother of God is the first to reach the fullness of that salvation and Theosis by being taken, body and soul, to heaven by Her Son.

It is God's plan not only for the Most Holy Theotokos, but for us as well.

Alex

Historically,the Church of Holy Wisdom (Haghia Sophia) in Constantinople was dedicated on December 23. This was observed as a feast there, but it did not remain on the general calendar, while the Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem remained on September 13.