In This Sign, Conquer

Psalm 151
1 I was small among my brethren, and youngest in my father's house. 5 My brothers were great and handsome; but the Lord was not pleased with them. 6 I went forth to meet the Philistine; and he cursed me by his idols. 7 But I drew his own sword, and beheaded him, and removed reproach from the children of Israel.


Troparion of the Holy Cross
Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your cross.

On (Dis)Honoring One's Parents

The throne of Kiev held a dominant position in Ancient Rus. This had been the custom since the late ninth century. The Tale of Bygone Years captured for posterity the words of Oleg the Prophet about Kiev: May it be the mother of all Russian cities.

Vladimir Putin,
On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them; 19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die; so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying: Honour thy father and mother; and: He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Mark 7:10 For Moses said: Honour thy father and thy mother; and: Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.