February 26 (old calendar) / March 11 (new) 

February 26 (old calendar) / March 11 (new)  Beginning of the Great Fast. St. Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza (420). Ven. Sebastian of Poshekhónsk (ca. 1500). Martyr Sebastian (1st c.). SAINT PORPHYRIUS Saint Porphyrius, Archbishop of Gaza, was born about the year 346 at Thessalonica. His parents were people of substance, and this allowed Saint Porphyrius to receive a fine education. Having the inclination for monastic life, he left his native