Greek Orthodox Calendar Marks July 2 Feast of St. Esther

On Thursday, July 2 the Greek Orthodox calendar commemorates the deposition of the holy relic (esthētos) of the Theotokos in the town of Blacherna. The relic, sent by Patriarch Juvenal of Jerusalem, was placed in the temple built by Queen Pulcheria, daughter of Emperor Arcadius and wife of Emperor Marcian (451‑457 AD). When Leo I the Thracian ruled (457‑474 AD), officials Galbios and Kandidos brought additional relics from Jerusalem, housing them in a golden casket. The relic stayed in the Blacherna temple until it burned in 1070 and again after reconstruction in 1434. The entry also lists the names celebrated on this date, such as Iouvenalis and Iouvenalia.