February 27 combines several important events - both church and international. On this day, believers honor the memory of Procopius the Decapolis , and the world talks about protecting polar bears, combating bullying, and the role of non-governmental organizations in society.
In the Orthodox calendar, February 27 is the day of memory of the venerable confessor Procopius of the Decapolis, who lived in the 8th century. He was a monk known for his strict asceticism, deep prayer, and fidelity to Christian teachings. During the iconoclastic persecutions under Emperor Leo III the Isaurian, the saint openly spoke out in defense of the veneration of icons. For this, he was imprisoned and persecuted. After his release, he continued his monastic life and, according to tradition, peacefully departed to the Lord. In the Orthodox tradition, confessors are those who suffered for their faith but did not accept martyrdom.
Also, February 27 is International Polar Bear Day. This date is designed to draw attention to the preservation of the polar bear population, which is a symbol of the Arctic and at the same time an indicator of climate change. Due to global warming, Arctic ice is melting faster and forming later, which shortens the period of hunting animals for seals. As a result, bears are exhausted, forced to move closer to human settlements and find themselves under threat of survival.
Another event of the day is the International Anti-Bullying Day. It is aimed at combating bullying in schools, at work and in the online environment. Bullying manifests itself in the form of systematic humiliation, aggression or isolation of a person and can have serious psychological consequences. Experts emphasize that the key tools for combating it are support, open dialogue and zero tolerance for violence.
In addition, February 27 is celebrated as World NGO Day. It was launched in 2010 and gained international recognition in 2014 at the level of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. The purpose of the day is to emphasize the role of public associations in the development of society. It is NGOs that are actively working in the areas of human rights protection, education, medicine, culture, ecology and humanitarian aid, often being the first to respond to crisis situations and supporting victims.
Thus, February 27 unites spiritual heritage, environmental challenges, and social initiatives, reminding us of the importance of faith, responsibility, and solidarity.
