May Synaxarion

This month has thirty-one days with fourteen hours of day and ten
hours of night.

May 1
Memory of the holy Prophet Jeremia (Sixth century
B.C.)
Jeremia was the son of Helcia, the priestly tribe, from the
city of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. He was born at
the beginning of the Seventh century before Jesus Christ
and prophesied for more than forty years, from 625 to
about 586. At the time of the last captivity of the Jewish
people under Sedecia in 587, a small number of Jews were
left in Palestine to work the land. Jeremia remained with
them, mourning and bemoaning the unrelenting devastation
of Jerusalem and the slavery to which his compatriots had
been reduced. This small remnant being again excited and
fearing the repression of the Chaldeans, fled to Egypt,
dragging Jeremia and Baruch, his disciple and scribe, with
them by force.
Jeremia having there prophesied against Egypt and the
other nations, his compatriots stoned him to death at
Taphanes in witness of an ancient Christian tradition and no
longer being able to suffer the truth of his discourses and
his just proofs. His prophecies and his Lamentations
occupy the second rank in the series of Major Prophets.
Fifth Class Feast.
In the course of the month of May is found the period of the
Pentekostarion. The Troparia of the Saints are added to those which
are required by the Pentekostarion on weekdays. On Sundays, Fifth
Class Feasts are neglected.

May 2
Translation of the relics of our Father among the Saints
Athanasius the Great (295-373)

Saint Athanasius was probably born in Alexandria, around

the year 295. He was instructed in profane literature as well
as in the knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures. He himself
testifies to having been a disciple of Saint Anthony the
Great. According to some, he had been ordained a lector by
Archbishop Alexander in 312, and a deacon in 318. In 325
he accompanied his Bishop Alexander to the First
Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Upon Alexander's
unexpected death on April 17, 328, he was elected to
succeed him on the following June 8. He surpassed all his
contemporaries by his zeal and by his doctrine of the
Homoousios. Accused by the Arians, he was at first
declared innocent in Nicomedia by Emperor Constantine in
322. After the false Synod of Tyre of 335, he was exiled by
the same Constantine to Treves in Gaul. He was brought
back to his see by Constantius II, the son of Constantine, in
337. Expelled by the intruder Gregory of Cappadocia in
339, he took refuge near Pope Saint Julius I, Bishop of
Rome, and was declared innocent for the first time at the
synod held in Rome around 340-341, and for the second
time at the Synod of Sardica in 342 or 343. At the intruder
Gregory's death (345), the Saint remounted his throne in
346, confirming the Orthodox faith in all Egypt. Deposed
again in 356 by the Arian Emperor Constantius, he still
remained in hiding in Egypt. When Julian the Apostate
mounted the imperial throne in 362, he returned to
Alexandria to be again exiled by Julian, then again by
Valens in 365. He rested from his great afflictions on May
2, 373. He had spent seventeen years, six months, and
twenty days in exile.
This Third Class Feast has its occurrence from the Monday of the week
of Saint Thomas (Easter on March 22) to the Saturday of the Ascension
(Easter on April 25).
During the week of Saint Thomas in general: Typika and Beatitudes.
Troparia: of Saint Thomas, of Saint Athanasius the Great, and of the
Church Patron. Kondakion of the Sunday of Saint Thomas. Epistle,
Gospel, and Kinonikon of Saint Athanasius the Great.
In occurrence with the Saturday of the Closing Day of the week of Saint
Thomas: Antiphons of Easter, or the Typika and Beatitudes. Troparia:
of Saint Thomas (twice), of Saint Athanasius the Great, and of the
Church Patron. Kondakion of Saint Thomas. Epistle and Gospel of
Saint Athanasius the Great. Hirmos and Kinonikon of Saint Thomas.
In occurrence with the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, nothing from
Mid-Pentecost is taken.

In occurrence with Mid-Pentecost or its Pots-festive, the order given

for the feast of Saint Mark on April 25 is followed.
In occurrence with the Wednesday of the Closing Day of Easter, the rite
of the Easter Liturgy is followed, but after the Hypakoi, the Troparion
of Saint Athanasius the Great is said. Kondakion of Easter. Epistle and
Gospel of Saint Athanasius the Great.
In occurrence with Ascension Day, the feast of Saint Athanasius the
Great is transferred to the following Friday.
In occurrence with the Thursday and Friday after the Ascension:
Typika and Beatitudes. In the Isodikon, the ordinary verse, response of
the Ascension. Troparia: of the Ascension, of Saint Athanasius the
Great, and of the Church Patron. Kondakion of the Ascension. Epistle,
Gospel, and Kinonikon of Saint Athanasius the Great. After
Communion, Troparion of the Ascension.

May 3
Memory of the holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura
(+304)
A native of a town of Thebes called Penapeon, in the ranks
of the clergy Saint Timothy occupied the office of
interpreter of the Holy Scriptures. He was married to Saint
Maura for some twenty years. He was brought before
Arianus, the Governor of Thebais, who enjoined him to
surrender the Holy Scriptures to him to be thrown in the
fire. The Saint refused this and suffered many cruel
tortures...Saint Maura also declared herself to be a
Christian. After diverse tortures, they were both crucified
and remained nine days on the cross, mutually exhorting
themselves not to give way. Thus they committed their
souls into God's hands in a saintly manner.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 4
Memory of the holy Martyr Pelagia (?)
Saint Pelagia suffered martyrdom under Diocletian at the
beginning of the Fourth century. Having heard of the
Christian faith and sincerely desiring to know what it
taught, one night she saw a bishop in a dream in the process
of baptizing. The next day her mother having allowed her
to go visit her nurse, she went straightway to the bishop
who, forewarned by a heavenly apparition, received and

baptized her...Informed of this, Emperor Diocletian

summoned her before him but was not successful in
making her renounce Christ's faith. He then had her thrown
into the mouth of a red-hot ox caldron. She expired there
and obtained the palm of martyrdom.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 5
Memory of the holy and renowned Martyr Irene (?)
The king's daughter, Saint Irene, was converted to the faith
by Saint Timothy, Saint Paul's disciple. Emperor Justinian
had a splendid basilica built in her honor in Constantinople.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 6
Memory of the holy and Just Job, the severely tried
The Book of Job tells the story of Job, a native of the land
of Us, which without doubt is presently Hauran, who was
of the lineage of Esau, the fifth generation after Abraham.
The Lord having rendered this witness to him that he was
just, irreproachable, and surpassing all the inhabitants of
the land, the devil put him to the test. He stripped him of all
his goods and struck him with a horrible incurable ulcer.
The devil went away confused for this just man had shown
himself firm and of invincible constancy. God put an end to
these trials and gave him back double all that he had lost.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 7
Memory of the Apparition of the Sign of the Cross
in the sky over Jerusalem, under Constantius,
the son of Constantine the Great (351)
On May 7, 351, the Tuesday before the feast of the
Ascension of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, at
the third hour of day, the Venerable and Life-giving Cross
appeared to all the people in Jerusalem. Resplendent with
light, it extended from Golgotha to the Mount of Olives. Its

brilliancy surpassed the sun's rays. Consequently all the

people, young and old, children and infants, hastened into
the church, where, in a superabundance of joy, they
glorified and gave thanks to God with contrition for this
marvelous wonder. Saint Cyril, the Bishop of Jerusalem
and author of the catecheses, wrote concerning it to
Emperor Constantius, the son of Constantine the Great, to
confirm him in the Orthodox faith.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 8
Memory of the holy and renowned
Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, the
Beloved and Virgin,
who reposed on the breast of the Master (First century)
Our venerable Father Arsenios the Great (+445)
A native of Bethsaida, Galilee, Saint John was the son of
Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of Saint James the
Greater. A fisherman by profession, he became a disciple of
Saint John the Baptist, an Apostle, and then the Beloved
Disciple of Jesus Christ. He reclined at Jesus' right hand.
He was the only one among the disciples to follow Him to
the Cross. There the Master entrusted His holy Mother to
him, as if he was Mary's son and Jesus' brother. The Death
of Saint John is commemorated on September 26, where,
according to ancient ecclesiastical tradition, the Synaxarion
of the day relates the last years of his life and explains the
meaning of the eagle which serves as his symbol.
Saint Arsenios was born of a patrician family in Rome. He
occupied an important position in the imperial court.
Detesting the tumult of business as well as the society of
the powerful of this world, but enamored with solitude and
inflamed with the Heavenly King's love, around the end of
the Fourth century he went to Egypt and withdrew to the
desert of Skete. Expelled from there by a barbarian
invasion around 411, he withdrew to Canopus, near
Alexandria, with his friend Theophilos, the Archbishop of
this great city. He slept in the Lord at an advanced age, at
an uncertain date, no doubt around 445.

This Third Class Feast occurs from the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing
Women (Easter on March 22) to the Friday of the Closing Day of the
Ascension (Easter on April 25).
In general the order given for the feast of Saint George (April 23) and
Saint Athanasius the Great (May 2) is followed. The memory of Saint
Arsenios is omitted on the Sundays after Easter and on the other
principal feasts. During Post-festive Days, the Troparia: of the
Resurrection (or of the Feast), of Saint John, of Saint Arsenios, and of
the Church Patron are said. Kondakion of the Pentekostarion.
In occurrence with the Wednesday of the Closing Day of Easter:
Liturgy of Easter. After the Hypakoi of Easter, only the Troparion of
Saint John is added. Epistle and Gospel of Saint John.
In occurence with Ascension Day: Troparia: of the Ascension (twice),
and of Saint John. Kondakion of the Ascension. Epistle of Saint John,
Gospel of the Ascension.
In occurrence with the Sunday of the First Ecumenical Council of
Nicaea: Typika and Beatitudes. Isodikon of the Sunday. Troparia: of
the Resurrection, of the Ascension, of the Fathers of the First
Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, of Saint John, and of the Church
Patron. Kondakion of the Ascension. Ordinary Hirmos. Kinonikon for
the Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea,
and of Saint John. After Communion, Troparion of the Ascension.
In occurrence with the Friday of the Closing Day of the Ascension, the
order of the feast of the Ascension is followed, except for the Epistle
and Gospel, which are of Saint John. Kinonikon of the Ascension.

May 9
Memory of the holy prophet Isaia (Eighth century B.C.)
The holy Martyr Christopher (+under Decius, 249-251)
Isaia was the son of Amos. It is believed that he was of the
tribe of Juda and a descendent of the royal family. He
prophesied from the last year of Ozia's reign in 737, and in
the days of Joatham and his successors on Juda's throne,
Achaz and Ezechia. He died at an uncertain date, around
the beginning of the Seventh century before Our Lord. His
prophecies occupy the first rank in the series of Major
Prophets.
The holy martyr Christopher suffered for Christ's sake in
Lycia under Emperor Decius, 249-251.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 10
Memory of the holy Apostle Simon the Zealot (First
century)
Saint Simon was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was called
Simon the Cananean by Saint Matthew. Saint Luke calls
him Simon the Zealot, a Greek term which correctly
translates the meaning of the Aramaic word Cananean. He
merited this name by his inflamed zeal for Almighty God.
If the tradition is to be believed, he preached the Gospel in
Persia and Egypt.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 11
The Foundation and Dedication of Constantinople (330)
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Mokios
(beginning of the Fourth century)
(Memory of the Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles Cyril and
Methodius,
Teachers of the Slavs Ninth century))
This dedication of Constantinople took place on Monday,
May 11, 330, in the third Indication. Constantine the Great,
the most Christian King, after having chosen Byzantium
and enlarged it, changed its name and imposed upon it his
own, calling it Constantinople.
A priest of the Church of Amphipolis in Thrace, the holy
martyr Mokios was martyred in Byzantium under Emperor
Diocletian around the beginning of the Fourth century.
(The two holy brothers Cyril and Methodius were born in
Thessalonica. The younger, Constantine, later called Cyril,
studied in Constantinople under Photius' direction. His
university success merited him the surname of
"Philosopher." He replaced his teacher in the
headmastership of the University of Constantinople when
the latter entered civil service. Before long, renouncing all
honors, he received the deaconate and withdrew to a
monastery of Olympus of Bithynia. It is from there that
Photius called him to send him as an ambassador to the

Khazars. In the meantime his elder brother Methodius had

been elected hegumen of an important monastery of
Olympus.
The ambassador sent by Duke Ratislav of Moravia arrived
in Constantinople in 862 to discuss both political and
religious affairs. In particular he came to obtain some
Byzantine missionaries. Patriarch Photius designated the
two brothers Constantine and Methodius for the Moravian
mission in 862.
In order to make a Slavonic Bible and Liturgy to the people
of Moravia, the two holy brothers invented the Slavonic
alphabet, called Cyrillic or Glagolitic. The use of Slavonic
in preaching and in the liturgical offices assured the two
brothers' success.
During a trip to Rome, when the Roman Pontiff considered
conferring the episcopate on him, Constantine fell gravely
ill. Before dying, he was clothed in the monastic habit,
changing his name to Cyril.
As for Saint Methodius, he was consecrated a bishop in
869-870 with jurisdiction over all ancient Pannonia
augmented by the Slav lands to the north and east. This
very year, following the downfall of Duke Ratislav,
Methodius was imprisoned after having appeared before a
synod of Bavarian bishops who reproached him with his
infringements on the German Church and his use of
Slavonic in the Liturgy. He appealed concerning it to the
Roman Patriarchate, which took his defense in 873 while
permitting him the use of Slavonic only in preaching. In
order to justify himself from accusations unfairly borne
against him, he made a second trip to Rome in 880 during
which, in particular, he obtained the recognition of
Slavonic as a liturgical language. He proceeded to
Constantinople in 881 where he was received with great
benevolence by Emperor Basil I and Patriarch Photius. On
his return to Pannonia, always exposed to all kinds of
opposition, he consecrated his last years to translating from
Greek to Slavonic the entire Bible, some works of
ecclesiastical law, and some patristic writings. He died on
April 6, 884).
Fifth Class Feast.

Troparia: of the Foundation and Dedication of Constantinople, of

Saints Cyril and Methodius, and of the Church Patron. Kondakion of
the Feast.

May 12
Memory of our Fathers among the Saints Epiphanios,
Bishop of Cyrus (ca. 315-403), and Germanus,
Archbishop of Constantinople (+733)
Saint Epiphanios was born around 315 in Besanduc, a small
market town of Palestine, not far from Eleutheropolis (BeitDjibrin). He embraced monastic life under Saint Hilarion's
direction, who was then in Egypt. He founded a monastery
where he grouped many disciples under his direction. He
learned Hebrew, Coptic, Syriac, Greek, and Latin. This is
why he was surnamed the "Pentaglot." Around 367 he was
elected Bishop of Constantia, ancient Salamis, on the island
of Cyprus. He preached in Jerusalem against Origenism in
394. Deceived by Theophilus, the Archbishop of
Alexandria, he went to Constantinople but, having there
brought petty annoyances upon Saint John Chrysostom,
was obliged to immediately embark for Cyprus. He
committed his soul to God during the journey, on May 12,
403. Of all his works, the most valued is unquestionably the
"Panarion" or "The Remedy Box" containing the
demonstration of truths of the faith and the refutation of
eighty heresies.
Saint Germanus was born in Constantinople under Emperor
Heraclius (610-641). His father, the patricius Justinian, was
a famous man who had occupied some high political
offices in the empire. He was put to death by Heraclius'
grandson under the pretext that he desired the imperial
crown. His son Germanus was mutilated and placed among
the clergy of the Great Church in 668. By his good conduct
the Saint merited to be consecrated Metropolitan of
Cyzicus around 705-706. In 715 he was promoted to the
see of Constantinople. Seeing Emperor Leo the Isaurian
eager to destroy the Holy Icons and after having tried in
vain by his words and exhortations to turn him from his
heresy, the Saint placed his omophorion on the Holy Table
and withdrew to his private home in 730. He died around
733, in old age, having lived ninety-one years. He was also
an hymnographer, as witnessed by numerous stichera
idiomela signed by him.

Fifth Class Feast.

May 13
Memory of the holy Martyr Glyceria (+under
Antoninus, 138-161)
Saint Glyceria suffered martyrdom in Heraclea of Thrace
under Emperor Antoninus (138-161). One day while the
Prefect Sabinus offered a sacrifice to the idols, she made
the sign of the Cross and presented herself to him,
declaring that she was a Christian and a servant of Christ.
The Prefect urged her to sacrifice to the gods. She went into
the pagan temple and, addressing a prayer to Christ, broke
all the idols which were found therein. She was then
suspended by the hair and her body was rasped with steel
combs. She was thrown into prison... Finally delivered over
to the beasts, she was lightly touched by one of them and,
without injury or any bruises, committed her soul to God.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 14
Memory of the holy Martyr Isidore of Chios (+250)
A soldier and a native of Alexandria, Saint Isidore suffered
martyrdom under Emperor Decius around the year 250. He
served in the legion of Option. Having disembarked to the
island of Chios on the military ships under the centurion
Julius that: "He adores Christ and does not sacrifice to our
gods." The Saint courageously confessed Christ. Seeing his
unshakeable steadfastness, Numerius ordered that he be
beheaded. In this manner he obtained the crown of
martyrdom.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 15
Memory of our venerable Fathers Pachomios the Great
(292-346),
and Achillios the Wonderworker,
Archbishop of Larissa (Fifth-Sixth century?)

Saint Pachomios was born of pagan parents around 292 in

Egypt in Upper Thebais. He became a soldier in his youth.
The virtues which he admired in Christians led him to
Christ's faith. He became a disciple of a hermit named
Palamon. He was so renowned in virtue that he filled the
island of Tabennisia in the Nile with monasteries and
ascetics (about 325). Pachomios became the head of seven
thousand monks. He was the first to have written a rule of
monastic life in Coptic. He died in 346.
Saint Achillios lived in the Fifth or the Sixth century.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 16
Memory of our venerable Father Theodore the
Sanctified,
Disciple of Saint Pachomios (Fourth century)
Saint Theodore was Saint Pachomios' disciple and emulator
in the way of perfection. He died sometime during the
Fourth century. He was called the "Sanctified" because of
his great virtue. Some maintain that he was called the
"Sanctified" because he had been the first or the only one
of the monks of Tabennisia to be raised to the priesthood.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 17
Memory of the holy Apostles Andronicos and Junias
(First century)
The names of these two Saints have been preserved for us
by Saint Paul in his epistle to the Romans (Romans 16:7)
where he says: "Greet Andronicos and Junias my kinsmen
and my fellow-prisoners, who are distinguished among the
apostles, who also were in Christ before me."
Fifth Class Feast.

May 18
Memory of the holy Martyrs Peter, Dionysia, Andrew,
Paul, Christina, Heraclius, Paulinos, and Benedimos (?)

Saints Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Dionysia suffered in

Lampsacus in Mysia. Saint Christina suffered in Tyre,
Phoenicia. Saints Heraclius, Paulinos, and Bonedimos or
Monedimos probably suffered in Nobiodunum in Scythia,
now called Isaksoa. They all were martyred at an uncertain
date.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 19
Memory of the holy Martyr Patricios, Bishop of Brusa,
Akakios (+under Galerius, 305-311), Menander, and
Polyenos (?)
According to the witness of tradition, Saint Patricios was
Bishop of Brusa and suffered martyrdom at an uncertain
date. Saint Akakios is probably the renowned centurion
who was beheaded in Byzantium under Galerius around the
beginning of the Fourth century. We know nothing definite
concerning Menander and Polyenos.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 20
Memory of the holy Martyr Thallelaios (+284)
Saint Theallelaios suffered martyrdom in Aegae in Cilicia
under Emperor Numerian in 284. He was a native of
Lebanon. His father's name was Berucius and his mother's
name was Romylia. He practiced medicine at the time that
he was seized while hidden in an olive grove in Anazarba,
in Second Sicilia. Led before the Prefect Theodore, he
refused to sacrifice to idols. The judge ordered that his
temples be pierced and that he be hung up by the head.
Through a miraculous intervention of heaven, the
executioners, believing to execute the order, were mistaken
and pierced a log instead. Believing himself to be mocked
by his servants, the judge had them cruelly beaten. He
ordered that the Saint be thrown into the sea. Thallelaios
came out unhurt, wearing a white habit. He was then
delivered over to wild beasts who respected him. Finally,
he died by the sword.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 21
Memory of the Holy and Glorious Constantine (280337) and
Helen (+329), the great Sovereigns and Equals-to-theApostles
The holy and great Emperor Constantine was the son of
Constantius Chlorus, Caesar of the Western provinces of
the Roman empire. He was born around 280 in Naissus,
near the Dardanelles. Upon his father's death in 306, he was
proclaimed Caesar and his successor on the throne.
Learning that Maxentius and Maximin had formed a league
against him, he invaded Italy in 312. It is there that,
advancing to the head of his troops one afternoon, he saw
in the sky a luminous column in the form of a cross beneath
the sun with this inscription: "By this you will conquer." He
engaged in battle on October 29, near Pons Milvius.
Maxentius was conquered and, when pursued, crowned
himself in the Tiber River. The next day, Constantine
triumphantly entered Rome. The Senate proclaimed him
Augustus and Emperor of the West, whereas Licinius
remained master of the East. In 313, an edict was
promulgated at Milan by the two Emperors allowing full
liberty to everyone to render worship to God as he wished.
Jealous, Licinius again persecuted the Christians.
Constantine, having defeated him on two occasions, had
him killed in 324. Thus he was left the sole Emperor of
East and West. All persecutions against the Church stopped,
and Christianity triumphed. It is at this time that he lay the
foundations of Constantinople, the city named after him. It
was surnamed "New Rome" because the imperial seat was
transferred there from "Old Rome." Desiring to exactly
know the true faith, Constantine gathered all the bishops in
the land of Nicaea in 325. They confirmed the Orthodox
faith and proclaimed the Son consubstantial with the
Father, anathematizing Arius, his followers, and their
blasphemy. The Council was presided over by Osius, the
Bishop of Cordova, Spain, and by Vitus and Vincentius,
priests of the Roman Church and legates of Pope Silvester.
Saint Constantine sent his mother to Jerusalem in 326 to
find the sacred wood upon which Christ our God according
to the Flesh was crucified. Helen discovered it in 327. She
returned to Constantinople and then went to Rome to die i
329. Constantine fell sick in Nicomedia. He asked for and
received holy Baptism and died on May 22, 337.

Transported back to Constantinople, his remains were

deposited in the Church of the Holy Apostles which he
himself had built.
Saint Helen died an octogenarian in 329. She was buried in
a prophyry sarcophagus in a round church in Rome, on the
so-called Lavicana Way. This sarcophagus is now preserved
in the Vatican Palace.
This Third Class Feast has its occurrence from the Saturday of the
Paralytic (Easter on March 22) to the Thursday of the Divine Body
(Easter on April 25).
The general order for the feast of Saint John the Theologian (May 8) is
followed.
In occurrence with the Saturday of the Dead, this feast is transferred to
the preceeding Friday and celebrated with the Closing Day of the
Ascension.
In occurrence with Pentecost Sunday: Troparia: of Pentecost (twice),
and of Saints Constantine and Helen (once). Kondakion of Pentecost.
In occurrence with Pentecost Monday, same Troparia as on Pentecost.
Epistle of Saints Constantine and Helen, Gospel of Pentecost Monday.
The rest is from Pentecost.
In occurrence with the Post-festive Days: in the Isodikon, ordinary
verse, response of Pentecost. Troparia: of Pentecost, of Saints
Constantine and Helen, and of the Church Patron. Kondakion of
Pentecost. Epistle and Gospel of Saints Constantine and Helen.
Ordinary Hirmos. Kinonikon of Saints Constantine and Helen.
In occurrence with the Saturday of the Closing Day of Pentecost: as on
the feast day, but the Epistle and Gospel are of Saints Constantine and
Helen.
In occurrence with the Sunday of All Saints: Typika and Beatitudes.
Isodikon of the Sunday. Troparia: of the Resurrection, of All Saints, of
Saints Constantine and Helen, and of the Church Patron. Kondakion of
the feast of the Thursday of the Divine Body. Epistle of Saints
Constantine and Helen, Gospel of the Sunday of All Saints. Kinonikon
of All Saints.
In occurrence with Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the Pre-festive
of the Thursday of the Divine Body: Typika and Beatitudes. Troparia:
of the pre-festive, of Saints Constantine and Helen, and of the Church
Patron. Kondakion of the Pre-festive of the Thursday of the Divine
Body. Epistle, Gospel, and Kinonikon of Saints Constantine and Helen.

In occurrence with the Thursday of the Divine Body: Troparia: of the

Thursday of the Divine Body (twice), and of Saints Constantine and
Helen. Kondakion of the Thursday of the Divine Body.

May 22
Memory of the holy Martyr Basiliskos (?)
The nephew of the great martyr Saint Theodore of Tyre,
Saint Basiliskos was born in the market town of
Choumialos, near Amasia, and suffered martyrdom under
Emperor Maximian. He suffered for Christ at the same time
as Eutropios and Cleonicos, Saint Theodore's companions
in arms. Whereas Eutropios and Cleonicos obtained the
palm of martyrdom, he was consigned to prison. With all
his heart he desired to crown his sufferings by martyrdom,
and earnestly asked God for this grace. As a recompense
the Lord appeared to him to encourage him. Returning to
his home with his soldier companions, he kissed his mother
and brothers as usual, wishing them to persevere in Christ's
faith. At that moment, he was seized by soldiers sent by the
Prefect Agrippa to arrest him. After many tortures, he was
beheaded and his body was thrown into a river.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 23
Memory of our venerable Father and Confessor
Michael,
Metropolitan of Synnada (+826)
Saint Michael first took the monastic habit in the monastery
of Saint Tarasios of Hieron, at the entrance of the Pontus
Euxinus. Becoming Patriarch of Constantinople in 784,
Tarasios consecrated him Metropolitan of Synnada in
Phrygia. He was one of the Fathers of the Second
Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 787. In 806 he was sent
by Emperor Nicephoros I Logothetus to Caliph Harun alRaschid to negotiate peace between the Roman Empire and
the Arab power. In 811 he went to Rome to take the
synodical letter of the new Patriarch Nicephoros to Pope
Saint Leo III, at the same time that he was sent on behalf of
Emperor Michael I Rangabe to Charlemagne, the King of
the Franks, to discuss peace and the marriage of the
Emperor's son, Theophylaktos. Under the iconoclast
Emperor Leo the Armenian, he was exiled to Eudocia of

Phrygia. Pursued from one place to another, after having

suffered many long persecutions, he died on Pentecost
Wednesday, May 23, 826.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 24
Memory of our venerable Father Simeon of the
Wonderful Mountain (521-596)
Saint Simeon was born in Antioch in 521. He was the son
of John, a native of Edessa, and of Martha, a native of
Antioch. He left the world while still young. He lived on a
mountain for six years and then on a column inside a
monastery for eighteen years. He then withdrew to the
Wonderful Mountain where he lived ten years in a dwelling
in dry rock. Then he spent forty-five years, of which
seventy-nine were spent in asceticism and superhuman
austerities. He died in 596 and was received among the
angels in glory.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 25
Third Finding of the precious Head of the Honored and
Glorious Prophet, Precursor and Baptist John
Hidden in the bowels of the earth for many long years, the
venerable head of the Holy Precursor was found again for
the third time in 823, not in a clay pitcher as before, but
carefully preserved in a silver receptacle and placed in a
church. Advised by a divine revelation, the Emperor and
faithful people in Constantinople transferred it with great
pomp from the city of Comana and placed it in one of the
capital's churches.
This Third Class Feast has its occurrence from the Wednesday of the
Closing Day of Mid-Pentecost (Easter on March 22) to the Monday
after the Thursday of the Divine Body (Easter on April 25). Follow the
general orders previously given for Third Class Feasts.
In occurrence with the Saturday of the Dead, the feast of the Precursor
is transferred to Friday with the Closing Day of the Ascension.
In occurrence with Pentecost Sunday, it is transferred to Pentecost
Monday.

In occurrence with the Thursday of the Divine Body, it is transferred to

the next day, Friday.
In occurrence with the Sunday after the Thursday of the Divine Body:
Typika and Beatitudes. Isodikon of the Sunday. Troparia: of the
Resurrection, of the Thursday of the Divine Body, of the Precursor, and
of the Church Patron. Kondakion of the Thursday of the Divine Body.
Epistle of the Precursor, Gospel of the Sunday. Kinonikon of the
Sunday.

May 26
Memory of the holy Apostle Carpos, one of the
Seventy Disciples (First century)
Saint Carpos probably received Saint Paul the Apostle into
his home when he passed through Troas. The Apostle wrote
of this fact to Timothy: "When you come, bring the cloak
which I left at Troas with Carpos" (II Timothy 4:13).
Tradition relates that Saint Paul installed him as Bishop of
Beroea in Thrace, and that he was put to death.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 27
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Helladios (?)
Saint Helladios suffered at an unknown time and in an
unknown country. His persecutors chained him in prison.
He escaped them and went directly into the arena where he
courageously confessed the Christian faith. He was made to
suffer many tortures. Christ having appeared to him healed
him of all his wounds and strengthened him. His furious
persecutors threw him into a fire but he came out of it
unharmed, by it winning a large number of pagans to
Christ. He finally died during a beating.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 28
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Eutyches, Bishop of
Melitene (?)
According to the Menaia, Saint Eutyches was one of the
Apostles' disciples.

Fifth Class Feast.

May 29
Memory of the holy Hieromartyr Theodosia (+307)
This blessed and holy virgin was born in Tyre. Hardly
seventeen years old, one day she met some Christians in
chains who were being led to punishment. She approached
them in the judges' presence and asked them to remember
her when they would come before the Lord. Her step
betrayed her. She was also brought before Urban, the
Prefect of Palestine, who commanded her to sacrifice to
idols. Upon her refusal, the cruel President ordered that her
sides be torn open until he could see her bones and entrails.
After having bravely sustained all these tortures, this holy
girl was drowned in the sea. Thus she committed her soul
to God in the city of Caesarea, on the day of the Lord's
Resurrection, under Emperor Maximin I in 307.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 30
Memory of our venerable Father Isaac,
Hegumen of the Monastery of Dalmaton (+406)
A native of Syria, Saint Isaac took the Lord's yoke upon
himself from his youth. He was leading the hermetic life in
a small cave near Constantinople when the Arian Emperor
Valens started a campaign against the Goths who settled on
the Danube. The Saint went out to meet him. He told him
with assurance that it was God who was driving the
barbarians against him, as he himself had driven tongues to
blaspheme against God. He also assured him that if he
would cease to fight God by his heresy and would return to
Christ's flock its best shepherds, he would win the victory
without difficulty. If, on the contrary, he would engage in
battle without doing what he said to him and without giving
himself to the propitious God, his defeat and that of his
army was certain. In a rage the Emperor made war against
the barbarians, but he suffered a great defeat and was
burned alive in a market town in 378. Becoming the object
of world-wide admiration for his prophecy, the Saint built a
monastery in Constantinople in 381. It was the first one
which was built in the capital, and in a holy manner he

directed his companions in asceticism offering them his

own example for a rule of monastic life. He died in peace
after 406, leaving the patricius Dalmatios as his successor
who gave his name to the monastery. Saint Isaac is also
commemorated on August 3, at the same time as Saint
Dalmatios and Saint Faustos, his son and successor.
Fifth Class Feast.

May 31
Memory of the holy Martyr Hermios
(+under Antoninus, 138-161)
A venerable old man with white hair, Saint Hermios was a
soldier by profession and a native of Comana. He suffered
martyrdom under Emperor Antoninus (138-161). Seized for
Christ's faith, he was led before Sebastian, his army
general. Upon his refusal to sacrifice to idols, his jawbone
was broken, the skin of his face was torn off, and his teeth
were pulled out. He was thrown into a furnace, but came
out of it unharmed. He was made to drink poison, but
suffered no evil from it. He was finally beheaded.
Fifth Class Feast.