This Month's Saints and Readings

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May 2024

Fasting Guidelines:
On days designated strict fast we abstain from dairy products, meat, fish, oil and wine. Some seafoods, e.g. squid, crab, roe and prawn, are permitted.

Readings in bold type are those appointed by the Typikon for use at the Liturgy

Wednesday 1st May 2024

Lenten Fast: strict fast
Holy and Great Wednesday
Commemorations:
Righteous Prophet Jeremiah (7th C. BC). Blessed Tamara, Queen of Georgia (13th C.). Venerable Nicephorus of Chios (1821). New Martyrs Euthymius (1814), Ignatius (1814), and Acacius (1816), of Mt Athos, Hieromartyr Macarius, metropolitan of Kiev (1497). Venerable Paphnutius, abbot of Borovsk (1477).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Brioc (510). St. Asaph, bishop of Llanelwy (7th C). St. Ceallach, bishop of Killala (6th C). St. Buriana (Beryan) (6th C).
Readings:
Matins: John 12:17-50;
6th Hour: Ezekiel 2:3-3:3;
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts: Exodus 2:11-22; Job 2:1-10; Matthew 26:6-16
Office of Holy Unction: James 5:10-16; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 15:1-7; Luke 19:1-10; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31,13:1-8; Matthew 10:1,5-8; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; Matthew 8:14-23; 2 Corinthians 8:1-11; Matthew 25:1-13; Galatians 5:22-6:1-2; Matthew 15:21-28; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23; Matthew 9:9-13

Thursday 2nd May 2024

Lenten Fast: strict fast
Liturgy of St Basil
Holy and Great Thursday
Commemorations:
Translation of the relics of Saint Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria (373). Holy Martyrs Hesperus, Zoe, and their sons Cyriacus and Theodulus, at Attalia (2nd C). Translation of the relics of the Holy Passionbearers Boris and Gleb (in Holy Baptism, Roman and David, 1072 and 1115). St. Boris (in Holy Baptism, Michael), Prince of Bulgaria (907). St. Athanasius of Lubensk, patriarch of Constantinople (1656).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Neachtain (5th C). Hieromartyr St. Germanus (460). St. Gluvias, brother of St. Cadoc (6th C). St. Ultan, missionary in East Anglia (686).
Readings:
Matins: Luke 22:1-39;
1st Hour: Jeremiah 11:18-12:5,9-11,14-15;
Vesperal Divine Liturgy: Exodus 19:10-19; Job 38:1-23,42:1-5; Isaiah 50:4-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Matthew 26:2-20; John 13:3-17; Matthew 26:21-39; Luke 22:43-45; Matthew 26:40-27:2

Friday 3rd May 2024

Lenten Fast: strict fast
Holy and Great Friday
Commemorations:
Holy Martyrs Timothy the reader and his wife Maura of Antinoë in Egypt (c.286). St. Peter the Wonderworker, bishop of Argolis (10th C). Great-martyr Xenia the Wonderworker of Peloponnesus. St. Theodosius, abbot of the Kievan Caves monastery and founder of Cœnobitic Monasticism in Russia (1074). New Martyr Ahmet the Calligrapher of Constantinople (16th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Conleth the bishop (519). St. Scannal, missionary (563). St. Aldwyn, abbot of Partney (8th C).
Readings:
The Twelve Passion Gospels of Matins: John 13:31-18:1; John 18:1-28; Matthew 26:57-75; John 18:28-19:16; Matthew 27:3-32; Mark 15:16-32; Matthew 27:33-54; Luke 23:32-49; John 19:25-37; Mark 15:43-47; John 19:38-42; Matthew 27:62-66;
The Royal Hours
1st Hour: Zechariah 11:10-13; Galatians 6:14-18; Matthew 27:1-56;
3rd Hour: Isaiah 50:4-11; Romans 5:6-11; Mark 15:16-41;
6th Hour: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 2:11-18; Luke 23:32-49;
9th Hour: Jeremiah 11:18-12:5,9-11,14-15; Hebrews 10:19-31; John 18:28-19:37;
Great Vespers: Exodus 33:11-23; Job 42:12-17; Isaiah 52:13-54:1; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2; Matthew 27:1-38; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:39-54; John 19:31-37; Matthew 27:55-61

Saturday 4th May 2024

Lenten Fast: strict fast, wine allowed
Liturgy of St Basil
Holy and Great Saturday
Commemorations:
Virgin-Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus in Asia Minor (c.290). St. Hilarion the Wonderworker of the desert. St. Athanasius, bishop of Corinth (11th C). Hieromartyr Silvanus, bishop of Gaza (311). Venerable Nicephorus the Solitary of Mt. Athos, the spiritual father of St. Gregory Palamas (1340). St. Florian, Enlightener of Austria & Poland (304).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Ethelred (Ailred), King of Mercia and monk (716). St. Conleth, Spiritual Father to St. Bridget of Kildare (c.519).
Readings:
Matins: Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 3:13-14; Matthew 27:62-66;
Vesperal Divine Liturgy: Genesis 1:1-13; Isaiah 60:1-16; Exodus 12:1-11; Jonah 1:1-4:11; Joshua 5:10-15; Exodus 13:20-15:19; Zephaniah 3:8-15; 3 Kingdoms 17:8-24; Isaiah 61:10-62:5; Genesis 22:1-18; Isaiah 61:1-9; 4 Kingdoms 4:8-37; Isaiah 63:11-64:6; Jeremiah 38:31-34; Daniel 3:1-90; Romans 6:3-11; Matthew 28:1-20

Sunday 5th May 2024

Tone of the feast - Eothinon 2
THE LORD'S PASCHA, The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – The Feast of Feasts!
Commemorations:
Great Martyr Irene of Thessalonica (2nd C). Holy Martyrs Neophytus, Gaius, and Monk-martyr Gaianus. St. Euthymios, the Wonderworker, bishop of Maditos in Thrace (11th C). St. Hilary of Arles (449).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Hydroc of Cornwall (5th C). St. Echa of Crayke, hermit (767).
Readings:
Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17

Monday 6th May 2024

Bright Monday
Holy Glorious Great Martyr, Trophybearer and Wonderworker George (303) (Transferred from April 23rd)
Commemorations:
Righteous Job the Long-suffering (c.1500 BC). St. Job, Wonderworker of Pochaev (1651). Venerable Seraphim the Struggler, of Mt Domvu. Translation of the relics (1238) of St. Sava I of Serbia. St. Micah, disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh (1385).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Edbert, bishop of Lindisfarne (698).
Readings:
Acts 1:12-17, 21-26; John 1:18-28
For the Commemoration: Acts 12:1-11; John 15:17-16:2

Tuesday 7th May 2024

Bright Tuesday
Commemorations:
Commemoration of the Appearance of the Sign of the Precious Cross over Jerusalem in 351. Holy Martyr Acacius the Centurion at Byzantium (303). Repose of St. Nil Sorsky (1508). Uncovering of the relics (1815) of St. Nilus the Myrrh-streaming of Lavra, Mt. Athos (1651). New Monk-Martyr Pachomius of Mt. Athos (1730). St. Alexis Toth, Confessor and Defender of Orthodoxy in America (1909).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. John of Beverley, bishop of York (721).
Readings:
Acts 2:14-21; Luke 24:12-35

Wednesday 8th May 2024

The Paschal season is fast free
Bright Wednesday
Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian (117)
Commemorations:
Venerable Arsenius the Great of Scetis (449). SS Arsenius the Lover of Labour (14th C) and Pœmen the Ascetic (12th C) of the Kievan Caves.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Gibrian the Hermit (515). St. Odrian, bishop of Waterford (5th C).
Readings:
Acts 2:22-36; John 1:35-51
For the Commemoration: 1 John 1:1-7; John 19:25-27,21:24-25

Thursday 9th May 2024

Bright Thursday
Commemorations:
Righteous Prophet Isaiah (8th C. BC). Holy Martyr Christopher of Lycia, and with him Martyrs Callinica and Aquilina (c.250). Translation of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra to Bari (1087). Monk-martyr Nicholas who lived in Vuneni, of Larissa in Thessaly (1400). Holy Martyr Epimachus of Pelusium, who suffered at Alexandria (250). St. Shio Mgvime, monk, of Georgia (6th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Gorfor, patron of Llanover. St. Sanctan, bishop of Kill-da-Les and Kill-na-Sanctan (6th C).
Readings:
Acts 2:38-43; John 3:1-15

Friday 10th May 2024

The Paschal season is fast free
Bright Friday
Holy Apostle Simeon Zelotes (the Zealot) (1st C)
Commemorations:
Venerable Laurence, monk, of Egypt (6th C). Holy Martyr Hesychius of Antioch (4th C). Blessed Isidora the Fool, of Tabennesi in Egypt (365). Blessed Thaïs of Egypt (5th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Comgall, abbot of Bangor, ‘Father of Monks’ (c.601). St. Conleth, monk and hermit (520). St. Cathal, bishop of Taranto (7th C).
Readings:
Acts 3:1-8; John 2:12-22
For the Commemoration: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16; Luke 6:12-19

Saturday 11th May 2024

Bright Saturday
Commemorations:
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril (869) and Methodius (885), First Teachers of the Slavs. Commemoration of the Founding of Constantinople (325). Hieromartyr Mocius of Amphipolis in Macedonia (295). New Martyr Olympia, abbess of Mitylene (1235). New Martyrs Dioscorus and Argyrus of Thessalonica (1808). Hieromartyr Joseph, metropolitan of Astrakan (1672).
British Isles and Ireland:
Holy Martyr & Hermit Fremund of Offchurch (866). St. Tudy, Breton missionary to Cornwall (5th C).
Readings:
Acts 3:11-16; John 3:22-33

Sunday 12th May 2024

Tone of the feast - Eothinon 1
2nd of Pascha, Thomas Sunday
Commemorations:
St. Epiphanius, bishop of Constantia in Cyprus (403). St. Germanus, patriarch of Constantinople (740). St. Theodore the Righteous of Cythera. New Martyr John of Wallachia (1662). Glorification (1913) of Hieromartyr Hermogenes, patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1613)
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Æthelheard, 14th archbishop of Canterbury (805). St. Diomna the Teacher (5th C).
Readings:
Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31

Monday 13th May 2024

Commemorations:
Virgin-Martyr Glyceria at Heraclea, and with her, Martyr Laodicius, Keeper of the Prison (c.177). St. Sergius the Confessor of Constantinople (9th C). St. John the Georgian (988) founder of Iveron Monastery, and his fellow saints of Mt. Athos. Holy Martyr Alexander of Rome (298). St. George the Confessor of Constantinople, with his wife and children (c.842). St. Servatius, defender against Arianism (384). Commemoration of the Monks of Iveron Monastery, martyred by the Latins in the 13th Century. Hieromartyr Alexander of Tiberias.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Mael, the Hermit of Bardsey (6th C).
Readings:
Acts 3:19-26; John 2:1-11

Tuesday 14th May 2024

Commemorations:
Holy Martyr Isidore of Chios (251). St. Nicetas (Nikita), bishop of Novgorod and Recluse of the Kievan Caves (1108). St. Leontius, patriarch of Jerusalem (1175). St. Serapion the Sindonite, monk, of Egypt (542). New Martyrs John of Bulgaria and Mark of Crete, at Smyrna (1643). St. Isidore, Fool-for-Christ, Wonderworker of Rostov (1474).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Dyfan, martyr in Wales (2nd C). St. Carthage (Carthach Mochuda) the Younger, abbot of Rathin and Lismore (639).
Readings:
Acts 4:1-10; John 3:16-21

Wednesday 15th May 2024

The Paschal season is fast free
Commemorations:
St. Pachomius the Great, Founder of Cœnobitic Monasticism (346). St. Achilles, bishop of Larissa (330). St. Barbarus the Myrrh-streaming of Corfu (9th C). St. Andrew the Hermit and Wonderworker. St. Isaiah, bishop and wonderworker of Rostov (1090). The slain Crown Prince Dimitry of Uglich and Moscow (1591).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Dymphna, martyr of Gheel, near Antwerp (7th C). St. Colman MacValaighse, abbot of Oughaval (6th C). St. Bercthun, abbot of Beverley (733).
Readings:
Acts 4:13-22; John 5:17-24

Thursday 16th May 2024

Commemorations:
St. Theodore the Sanctified, disciple of St. Pachomius the Great (368). Holy Martyr Peter of Blachernæ. St. Alexander, archbishop of Jerusalem (250). New Martyr Nicholas of Metsovo, whose relics are at Meteora (1617). Monk-martyrs of the community of St. Sava the Sanctified (614). St. Nicholas Mystikos, patriarch of Constantinople (930). Translation of the relics (1545) of Venerable Ephraim, abbot of Perekop (1492).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Brendan the Voyager, abbot of Clonfert (c.575). St. Carantoc the Wonderworker (430). St. Carantoc, abbot of Llangranog (6th C).
Readings:
Acts 4:23-31; John 5:24-30

Friday 17th May 2024

The Paschal season is fast free
Commemorations:
Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy and his fellow labourer, Junia the Martyr (1st C). SS Nectarius (1550) and Theophanes (1544) of Meteora. St. Euphrosyne (Princess Eudoxia) of Moscow (1407). St. Athanasius the New, Wonderworker of Christianopolis (18th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Madern, hermit in Cornwall (545). St. Cathan, bishop of Bute (6th C). St. Mailduf, abbot of Malmesbury (673).
Readings:
Acts 5:1-11; John 5:30-6:2

Saturday 18th May 2024

Commemorations:
Holy Martyrs Peter, Dionysius, and those who suffered in Athens under Decius (250). Holy Martyr Julian. Holy Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra, and those with him who suffered under Decius (303). St. Stephen the New, patriarch of Constantinople (893). Holy Martyrs David and Tarechan of Georgia (693).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Elgiva, mother of St. Edgar and abbess of Shaftesbury (944). St. Feredarius, abbot of Iona (c.863).
Readings:
Acts 5:21-33; John 6:14-27

Sunday 19th May 2024

Tone 2 - Eothinon 4
3rd of Pascha, Sunday of the Myrrhbearers
Commemorations:
Hieromartyr Patricius, bishop of Prusa, and his companions: presbyters Acacius, Menander, and Polyenus (2nd C). St. Memnonus the Wonderworker. Great Prince Dimitry Donskoi of Moscow (1389). Holy Martyr Acoluthus of the Thebaid (305). Holy Martyrs Theotima & Kyriake of Nicomedia (311). Venerable Cornelius, abbot of Komelsk, Vologda (1537).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Dunstan, 25th archbishop of Canterbury (988).
Readings:
Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8

Monday 20th May 2024

Commemorations:
Holy Martyr Thalelæus at Ægæ in Cilicia, and his companions, Martyrs Alexander and Asterius (284). Uncovering (1431) of the relics of St. Alexis, metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia (1378). St. Mark the Hermit (5th C). SS Nikostratos and Antiochos. St. Lydia of Philippisia. Venerable Nicetas, John, and Joseph, monks, of Chios (1050). St. Stephen, abbot of Piperi in Serbia (1697).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Ethelbert, King of East Anglia and Martyr (c.793).
Readings:
Acts 6:8-7:5, 47-60; John 4:46-54

Tuesday 21st May 2024

Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles (Isapostalos) Emperor Constantine (337) and his mother Helena (327)
Commemorations:
St. Constantine (1129) and his children SS Michael and Theodore, Wonderworkers of Murom. New Martyr Pachomius of Patmos (1730).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Barrfoin the Missionary (6th C). St. Gollen (7th C).
Readings:
Acts 8:5-17; John 6:27-33
For the Commemoration: Acts 26:1,12-20; John 10:1-9

Wednesday 22nd May 2024

The Paschal season is fast free
Commemorations:
Hieromartyr Basiliscus, Bishop of Comana (308). New Martyrs Paul and Demetrius of Tripoli near Kalavryta (1818). St. John-Vladimir, Martyr and Ruler of Serbia (1015). New Hieromartyr Zachariah of Prusa (1802). New Monk Martyr Paul of the Great Lavra and the Russian monastery on Athos. Blessed James of Borovichi, wonderworker of Novgorod (C16th).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Conall, abbot of Inniscoel (7th C).
Readings:
Acts 8:18-25; John 6:35-39

Thursday 23rd May 2024

Commemorations:
St. Michael the Confessor, bishop of Synnada (831). Holy Myrrh-Bearer Mary, Wife of Cleopas (1st C). Uncovering of the relics of St. Leontius, bishop and Wonderworker of Rostov (1164). Virgin Euphrosyne, princess of Polotsk (1173).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Goban Gobhnena, abbot (6th C).
Readings:
Acts 8:26-39; John 6:40-44

Friday 24th May 2024

The Paschal season is fast free
Commemorations:
St. Simeon Stylites (the Younger) of the Wonderful Mountain (596). St. Nicetas (Nikita) Stylites, Wonderworker of Pereyaslavl-Zalesski (1186). Holy Martyrs Meletius Stratelates (the General), Stephen, John, and 1,218 soldiers with women and children, all of whom suffered in Galatia (218). St. Vincent of Lerins (5th C).
Readings:
Acts 8:40-9:19; John 6:48-54

Saturday 25th May 2024

Third Finding of the Honourable Head of the Holy, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (850)
Commemorations:
Hieromartyr Therapon, bishop of Cyprus (4th C). Holy Martyr Celestine.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Aldhelm, bishop of Sherborne (709). St. Dunchadh, abbot of Iona (717).
Readings:
Acts 9:19-31; John 15:17-16:2
For the Commemoration: 2 Corinthians 4:6-15; Matthew 11:2-15

Sunday 26th May 2024

Tone 3 - Eothinon 5
4th of Pascha, Sunday of the Paralysed Man
Commemorations:
Apostles Carpus and Alphæus of the Seventy (1st C). Translation of the relics (1534) of New Martyr George of Kratovo and Sofia (1515). Holy Martyrs Abercius and Helen, children of the Apostle Alphaeus (1st C). St. John Psichaita the Confessor of Constantinople (8th C). Saint Euthymius of Athos, the Translator (1028). New Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica, who suffered at Smyrna (1794).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Augustine of Canterbury, Evangelizer of England (c.605). St. Oduvald, abbot of Melrose (698). St. Dyfan of Merthyr Dyfan (2nd C.) SS Damian and Fugatius, missionaries to Britain (2nd C). St. Becan, hermit near Cork (6th C).
Readings:
Acts 9:32-42; John 5:1-15

Monday 27th May 2024

Commemorations:
Hieromartyrs Helladius and Therapon, bishop of Sardis (3rd C). St. John the Russian, Confessor, whose relics are on the island of Euboea (1730). Virgin-Martyr Theodora and Martyr Didymus the Soldier of Alexandria (304). The Uncovering of the relics of Nilus the Younger, stylite of the Seliger Lake. Holy Martyr Alypios.
British Isles and Ireland:
St.Bede the Venerable (735). St. Melangell, Virgin-hermitess of Wales (6th C).
Readings:
Acts 10:1-16; John 6:56-69

Tuesday 28th May 2024

Commemorations:
Hieromartyr Eutychius, bishop of Melitene (1st C). St. Nicetas, bishop of Chalcedon (9th C). St. Germanus (Germain), bishop of Paris (576). St. Ignatius, bishop and Wonderworker of Rostov (1288). Holy Martyrs Heliconidos and Daphne of Thessalonica (244).
Readings:
Acts 10:21-33; John 7:1-13

Wednesday 29th May 2024

The Paschal season is fast free
Mid-Pentecost
Commemorations:
Virgin-Martyr Theodosia of Tyre (308). Virgin-martyr Theodosia of Constantinople (730). New Martyr Andrew of Chios (1465). New Martyr Andrew and John (Nannus) at Smyrna (1802). Blessed Constantine XI, last Emperor of Constantinople (The New Rome), martyred by the Turks (1453). Repose of Blessed John of Ustiug, fool-for-Christ (1494).
Readings:
Acts 14:6-18; John 7:14-30

Thursday 30th May 2024

Commemorations:
St. Isaac, founder of the Dalmatian monastery at Constantinople (383). St. Emilia and her husband St. Basil the Elder (4th C), parents of SS Macrina the Younger, Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa. St. Macrina the Elder (4th C), grandmother of St. Basil the Great. St. Hubert of Maastricht (727). St. James, monk of the Galich Monastery (15th C). Holy Martys Natalius and Barlaam of Caesarea in Cappadocia (304).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Walstan of Bawburgh, confessor (1016).
Readings:
Acts 10:34-43; John 8:12-20

Friday 31st May 2024

The Paschal season is fast free
Commemorations:
Disciple of the Seventy, Hermas (1st C). Holy Martyrs Eusebius and Haralambos. Holy Martyr Philosophus at Alexandria (252). Holy Martyr Hermias at Comana (2nd C). Holy Martyr Marus the Magician who was converted on witnessing the Martyrdom of Hermias.
British Isles and Ireland:
SS. Winnow, Mancus and Myrbad, missionaries in Cornwall (6th C).
Readings:
Acts 10:44-11:10; John 8:21-30

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In developing the software to generate this monthly calendar we gratefully acknowledge our dependence on many sources, prominent among them being :-
For the synaxaria of the Saints: Michael Purcell (of the Saint John (Maximovich) the Wonderworker Orthodox Church, Atlanta, GA.) and his very impressive software program Menologion; and Father Andrew Phillips whose web site Orthodox England has, amongst its many jewels, a list of the Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome. Thank you, both – and Many Years!
For the ranking of the major commemorations and related guidance: The Typikon Charts published by the St Raphael Brotherhood of the Antiochian Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America.
For the matters relating to the Lectionary: The admirably detailed notes included in the Epistle and Gospel Lectionaries published by the Centre for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, Etna, Ca.; together with the annual Kanonion issued by the Phanar.
For the Fasting rules and many other details: The Antiochian Book of the Typikon as translated by Bishop Khoury and edited by Archpriest John W Morris.
Errors in the calendar will inevitably emerge, and for these we apologise. We should be grateful if you would inform us of any you discover.