Feasts and Saints

†) Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers

Orthodox Calendar November 8 †) Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea,…

Nov 8, 2025basilica.ro

Holy 33 Martyrs of Melitene; St. Lazarus the Wonderworker of Mt. Galesion near Ephesus

Orthodox Calendar November 7 Holy 33 Martyrs of Melitene Holy martyr Hieron was born in the city of Tiana in great Cappadocia. Raised by a pious mother, he was a kindly and good Christian. The co-ruling emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (284-305) sent a large military detachment headed by Lysias to Cappadocia to eradicate Christianity there,…

Nov 7, 2025basilica.ro

St. Paul the Confessor, archbishop of Constantinople; Venerable Luke of Sicily

Orthodox Calendar, November 6 St. Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople Saint Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople, was chosen to the patriarchal throne after the death of Patriarch Alexander (†340), when the Arian heresy had again flared up. Many of the Arians were present at the Council which selected the new Archbishop of Constantinople.…

Nov 6, 2025basilica.ro

Leavetaking of the Nativity of the Theotokos. Holy Martyrs Autonomus, Macedonius, and Theodulus

Orthodox Calendar September 12 The Holy Hieromartyr Autonomus (+303) lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (284–305). He was a bishop in Italy, but because of the persecution against Christians begun by the Emperor, he departed from Italy and went into Bithynia, where he was received by a Christian named Cornelius. In Bithynia…

Sep 12, 2025basilica.ro

(†) Holy Trinity

Orthodox Calendar – The Holy Trinty On the day after every Great Feast, the Orthodox Church honors the one through whom the Feast is made possible. On the day following the Nativity of the Lord, for example, we celebrate the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 26). On the day after Theophany, we commemorate…

Jun 9, 2025basilica.ro

Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost); 8th Sunday after Pascha

Orthodox Calendar – Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) In the Church’s annual liturgical cycle, Pentecost is “the last and great day.” It is the celebration by the Church of the coming of the Holy Spirit as the end—the achievement and fulfillment—of the entire history of salvation. For the same reason, however, it is also…

Jun 8, 2025basilica.ro

Martyrs Hermias, Eusebius and Haralambos

Orthodox Calendar May 31 Holy Martyr Hermias He suffered for Christ in the city of Comana during the persecution under the emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). The governor Sebastian, who was in Cappadocia to arrest Christians, urged the saint to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, promising him honors and mercy from the emperor. The old…

May 31, 2025basilica.ro

(†) The Ascension of our Lord (Heroes Day)

Orthodox Calendar – The Ascension of our Lord I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and to My God, and Your God (John 20:17). In these words the Risen Christ described to Mary Magdalene the mystery of His Resurrection. She had to carry this mysterious message to His disciples, “as they mourned and wept”…

May 29, 2025basilica.ro

Midfeast of Pentecost; Martyr Isidore of Chios; Hieromartyr Therapontus, Bishop of Cyprus (Fish allowed)

Orthodox Calendar, May 14 Holy Martyr Isidore of Chios He lived during the III Century on the Island of Chios, and was a native of Alexandria. During the first year of rule of the emperor Decius (249-251) there was issued an edict to make a census of all those capable to serve in the armies…

May 14, 2025basilica.ro

Holy Pascha

Orthodox Calendar, April 21 Holy Pascha Enjoy ye all the feast of faith; receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. (Sermon of Saint John Chrysostom, read at Paschal Matins) The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the center of the Christian faith. Saint Paul says that if Christ is not raised from the…

Apr 21, 2025basilica.ro

Great and Holy Thursday (Matins); Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, and those with him

Orthodox Calendar April 17 Great and Holy Thursday Two events shape the liturgy of Great and Holy Thursday: the Last Supper of Christ with His disciples, and the betrayal of Judas. The meaning of both is in love. The Last Supper is the ultimate revelation of God’s redeeming love for man, of love as the…

Apr 17, 2025basilica.ro