This Month's Saints and Readings
... or view next month's Saints and ReadingsSeptember 2023
FROM THE FATHERS
“THE ONE who knows God will follow the Lord’s footsteps, bearing the cross of the Savior. It is said, “The world is crucified to him and he to the world.” The Lord says, “He who loses his life will save it.” We can “lose our lives” in one of two ways. First, we can risk our lives just as the Lord did for us. Secondly, we can separate our lives from the customary things of this world. Bearing the cross means to separate our souls from the delights and pleasures of this life. If you do this, you will find your life again – resting in the hope of what is to come. Dying to ourselves means being content with the necessities of life. When we want more that these necessities it is easy to sin.”
St. Clement of Alexandria 215 AD
“LET US, therefore, not be ashamed of the Cross of Christ; but though another hide it, do thou openly seal it upon thy forehead, that the devils may behold the royal sign and flee trembling far away. Make then this sign at eating and drinking, at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at walking: in a word, at every act. For He who was here crucified is in heaven above.”
St. Cyril of Jerusalem 386 AD
“THE CROSS is the door to mysteries. Through this door the intellect makes entrance in to the knowledge of heavenly mysteries. The knowledge of the cross is concealed in the sufferings of the cross. And the more our participation in its sufferings, the greater the perception we gain through the cross. For, as the Apostle says, `As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."
St. Isaac the Syrian 700 AD
"WHY do we honour the Cross with such reverence that we make mention of its power in our prayers after asking for the intercession of the Mother of God and the Heavenly Powers, before asking for that of the Saints, and sometimes even before asking for that of the Heavenly Powers? Because after the Saviour's sufferings, the Cross became the sign of the Son of Man, that is, the Cross signifies the Lord Himself, incarnate and suffering for our salvation."
St. John of Kronstadt 1909 AD
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
Friday 1st September 2023
Fast day: wine and oil allowedStart of the Church Year - The Indiction
Commemorations:
Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos in Miasena Monastery, in memory of the finding of Her Icon (864). St. Simeon Stylites the Elder (459) and his mother St. Martha (428). Righteous Martyr Aithalas the Persian (380). Holy Forty Virgin-martyrs at Heraclea in Thrace (321). St. Meletius the Younger of Thebes (1124). New Martyr Angelis of Constantinople (1680). Holy Martyr Callista and her brothers Evodus and Hermogenes, at Nicomedia (309). Righteous Joshua the son of Nun (1400 BC).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Lythan (Llythaothaw). St. Silin (6th C).
Readings:
2 Corinthians 11:5-21; Mark 4:1-9
For the Commemoration: 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 4:16-22
Saturday 2nd September 2023
Commemorations:Holy Martyr Mamas of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and his parents Martyrs Theodotus and Rufina (3rd C). St. John the Faster, patriarch of Constantinople (595). Righteous Eleazar, son of Aaron, and Righteous Phineas. Holy Martyrs Aeithalas and Ammon of Thrace.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Hieu, abbess of Tadcaster (657). St. Lolanus (c.1034).
Readings:
1 Corinthians 2:6-9; Matthew 22:15-22
Sunday 3rd September 2023
Tone 4 - Eothinon 213th after Pentecost, 13th of Matthew
Commemorations:
Hieromartyr Anthimus, bishop of Nicomedia, and those with him (302). St. Theoctistus, fellow Ascetic with St. Euthymius the Great (467). St. Phoebe, deaconess at Cenchreae nr. Corinth (1st C). Translation of the relics of St. Nectarius of Pentapolis. Blessed John ‘the Hairy’, Fool-for-Christ, at Rostov (1580). St. Joannicius, archbishop of Serbia (1354). Holy Martyr Chariton. New Martyr Polydorus of Cyprus (1794).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. MacNis, abbot of Kells (c.514). St. Hereswith, sister of St. Hilda (c.690). St. Gregory the Great (the Dialogist), Apostle of the English 604.
Readings:
1 Corinthians 16:13-24; Matthew 21:33-42
Monday 4th September 2023
Commemorations:Hieromartyr Babylas, bishop of Antioch, and those with him (251). Righteous Prophet and God-Seer Moses (1531 BC). Holy Martyr Hermione, daughter of St. Philip the deacon (c.117). Holy Martyrs Jerusalem, Sekendos, Sekendios and Kegouros in Aleppo. St. Anthimus the Blind, new ascetic of Cephalonia (1782). Uncovering (1911) of the relics of St. Joasaph, bishop of Belgorod (1754). Holy New Martyr Gorazd of Prague (1942).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Monessa, disciple of St. Patrick (456). St. Ultan of Ardbraccan (657). St. Rhuddlad of Llanrhyddlad (7th C).
Readings:
2 Corinthians 12:10-19; Mark 4:10-23
Tuesday 5th September 2023
Commemorations:Holy Prophet Zachariah and Righteous Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Baptist and Forerunner (1st C). Holy Martyrs Urban, Theodore, Medimnus, and 77 Companions at Nicomedia (370). Holy Martyrs Abdas, Hormizd, and Sunin of Persia (c.424). Holy Martyrs Juventinus and Maximus at Antioch (4th C). Martyrdom of the Holy Passionbearer Prince Gleb, in Holy Baptism, David (1015).
Readings:
2 Corinthians 12:20-13:2; Mark 4:24-34
Wednesday 6th September 2023
Fast day: wine and oil allowedCommemoration of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Colossæ (Chonæ) (4th C)
Commemorations:
Holy Martyrs Calodote, Macarius, Andrew, Cyriacus, Dionysius, Andrew the Soldier, Andropelagia, Thecla, Theoctistus, and Sarapabon the Senator, in Egypt (256). Holy Martyrs Eudoxius, Zeno and Macarius and 1,104 soldiers in Mitelene (312).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Bega (Bee), Virgin, first abbess of Copeland in Cumbria (7th C). St. MacCallin, bishop of Lusk (497). SS Felix and Augebert, the English slaves ransomed by St. Gregory (7th C). St. Magnus, disciple of St. Columbanus and Abbot of Füssen (c.665).
Readings:
2 Corinthians 13:3-13; Mark 4:35-41
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 2:2-10; Luke 10:16-21
Thursday 7th September 2023
Forefeast of the Nativity of the TheotokosCommemorations:
Holy Martyr Sozon of Cilicia (c.304). Apostles Evodias and Onesiphorus of the Seventy (1st C). St. Kassiane the Hymnographer (9th C). St. John, archbishop of Novgorod (1186). St. Cloud (Clodoald), abbot-founder of Nogent-sur-Seine nr. Paris (6th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
SS. Alcmund (781) and Tilbert (789), bishops of Hexham. St. Balin, monk (7th C). Holy martyr Grimonia (4th C).
Readings:
Galatians 1:1-10,20-2:5; Mark 5:1-20
Friday 8th September 2023
Fast day: fish, wine and oil allowedThe Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Commemorations:
St. Sophronius of Achtalea in Georgia, bishop (1803). St. Arsenius, abbot of Konevits (1447). New Martyr Athanasius of Thessalonica (1774).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Cynfarch, missionary (5th C). SS. Ine, King of Wessex and Queen Ethelburga (Æthelburg) (8th C). St. Disibod (c.700).
Readings:
Galatians 2:6-10; Mark 5:22-24,35-6:1
For the Commemoration: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 10:38-42,11:27-28
Saturday 9th September 2023
Saturday before the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving CrossSynaxis of the Holy and Righteous Forebears of God, Joachim and Anna
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Commemorations:
Holy Martyr Severian of Sebaste (320). Righteous Theophanes the Confessor (c.300). Commemoration of the Fathers of the Third Œcumenical Council (431). St. Joseph the Wonderworker, abbot of Volokolamsk (or Volotsk 1515). Uncovering of the relics of St. Theodosius, archbishop of Chernigov (1896).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Ciaran the Younger of Clonmacnois (c.545). St. Bettelin (Bertram) of Crowland, hermit (8th C). St. Wulfhild, abbess of Bar and Horton (c.1000). Osmanna (Argariarga) (c.650).
Readings:
1 Corinthians 2:6-9; Matthew 10:37-11:1
For the Commemoration: Galatians 4:22-27; Luke 8:16-21
Sunday 10th September 2023
Tone 5 - Eothinon 3Sunday before the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Commemorations:
Holy Martyrs Menodora, Metrodora, and Nymphodora, at Nicomedia (c.305). Blessed Empress Pulcheria (453).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Finian of Ulster, abbot (579). St. Frithestan, bishop of Winchester (932).
Readings:
Galatians 6:11-18; John 3:13-17
Monday 11th September 2023
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the TheotokosCommemorations:
St. Theodora of Alexandria (474-491). St. Euphrosynus the Cook, of Alexandria (9th C). Holy Martyrs Demetrius, his wife Euanthia, and their son Demetrian, at Skepsis on the Hellespont (1st C). Translation of the relics of SS Sergius and Herman, Wonderworkers of Valaam (1353).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Deiniol, abbot of Bangor, bishop in Clwyd (c.584).
Readings:
Galatians 2:11-16; Mark 5:24-34
Tuesday 12th September 2023
Leavetaking of the Nativity of the TheotokosCommemorations:
Hieromartyr Autonomus, bishop in Italy (313). St. Coronatus, bishop of Iconium (3rd C). Holy Martyr Julian of Galatia and Forty Martyrs with him (4th C). St. Daniel of Thassos, monk (843).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Ailbe (Elvis), bishop of Emly (6th C).
Readings:
Galatians 2:21-3:7; Mark 6:1-7
Wednesday 13th September 2023
Fast day: wine and oil allowedCommemoration of the Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) at Jerusalem (335)
Forefeast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Commemorations:
Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion (1st C). Venerable Hierotheos the Younger of Iveron monastery on Athos (1745). Holy Martyr Aristeidos. Great Martyr Ketevan, Queen of Georgia (1624). Holy Martyrs Elias, Zoticus, Lucian, Valerian, Macrobius and Gordian at Tomi in Romania (320).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Wilfrida, abbess of Wilton (10th C).
Readings:
Galatians 3:15-22; Mark 6:7-13
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 3:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19
Thursday 14th September 2023
Fast day: strict fastThe Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Commemorations:
Holy Martyr Papas of Lycaonia (305). St. Placilla the Empress (400), wife of Theodosius the Great. St. Maria of Tarsus (607). New Martyr Macarius of Thessalonica, disciple of St. Niphon, patriarch of Constantinople (1527). Venerable-martyr Joseph of Dionysiou monastery on Athos. Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Sixth Œcumenical Council (680).(N.B. The commemoration of the repose of Saint John Chrysostom is transferred to November 13th)
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Cormac, 1st bishop of Cashel (908).
Readings:
For the Commemoration: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; John 19:6-11,13-20,25-28,30-35
Friday 15th September 2023
Fast day: strict fastAfterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Commemorations:
Great Martyr Nicetas the Goth (c.372). Righteous Philotheus of Asia Minor (10th C). Holy Martyr Porphyrius the Actor (361). SS Bessarion I and Bessarion II (1540), metropolitans of Larissa. St. Philotheus the Wonderworker and St. Gerasimus, abbot, of Sourvia (1740). St. Joseph the New of Partos, metropolitan of Timisoara (1656). New Martyr John of Crete (1811).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Hernan, hermit (6th C). St. Merryn, bishop of Bangor (620).
Readings:
Galatians 4:8-21; Mark 6:45-53
Saturday 16th September 2023
Saturday after the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving CrossAfterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Commemorations:
Great Martyr Euphemia the All-praised (304). St. Sebastiana, disciple of St. Paul the Apostle, martyred at Heraclea (1st C). Holy Martyr Ludmilla, grandmother of St. Wenceslaus, Prince of the Czechs (927). St. Procopius, abbot, of Sazava in Bohemia (1053). St. Dorotheus, hermit, of Egypt (4th C). Holy Martyr Melitina of Marcianopolis (2nd C).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Ninian, bishop of Whithorn (Candida Casa) (c.432). St. Edith of Wilton (984). Enshrinement of the Relics (1984) (3rd Sep O.C.) of St. Edward the Martyr, King of England (978).
Readings:
1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5; John 8:21-30
Sunday 17th September 2023
Tone 6 - Eothinon 4Sunday after the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Commemorations:
Holy Martyr Sophia, and her three daughters, Faith (Pistis, Vera), Hope (Elpis, Nadezhda), and Love (Agape, Lyubov), at Rome (c.137). Hieromartyrs Heraclides and Myron of Cyprus. Holy Martyr Agathocleia. St. Anastasius and Euxiphios of Perioteron in Cyprus (12th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
SS. Socrates and Stephen, martyred in Monmouthshire (304).
Readings:
Galatians 2:16-20; Mark 8:34-9:1
Monday 18th September 2023
Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the CrossCommemorations:
St. Eumenios, bishop of Gortyna (6th C). Holy Martyr Ariadne of Phrygia (2nd C). Holy Martyrs Sophia and Irene of Egypt (3rd C). Holy Martyr Castor of Alexandria.
Readings:
Galatians 4:28-5:10; Luke 3:19-22
Tuesday 19th September 2023
Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the CrossCommemorations:
Holy Martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon of Synnada (276). St. Theodore, Prince of Smolensk (1299) and his children David and Constantine, wonder workers of Yaroslav.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Theodore of Tarsus, 7th archbishop of Canterbury & Patron of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland (690).
Readings:
Galatians 5:11-21; Luke 3:23-4:1
Wednesday 20th September 2023
Fast day: strict fastAfterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Commemorations:
Great Martyr Eustathius (Eustace), his wife, Martyr Theopiste, and their children, Martyrs Agapius and Theopistus, of Rome (c 118). St. Eustathius, archbishop of Thessalonica (1194). Venerable Martyr Hilarion of St. Anne Skete on Athos. Venerable John of Crete. Holy Martyr Michael and his Councillor Theodore of Chernigov (1245). St. Stephen (István), King and Enlightener of Hungary (1038).
Readings:
Galatians 6:2-10; Luke 4:1-15
Thursday 21st September 2023
Leavetaking of the Exaltation of the Precious and Lifegiving CrossCommemorations:
Righteous Prophet Jonah. Apostle Quadratus the Apologist (c.130). St. Jonah the presbyter (9th C), father of SS Theophanes the Hymnographer and Theodore Graptus. SS Isaacius and Meletius, bishops of Cyprus. St. Jonah the Sabbaite (9th C). Uncovering of the relics (1752) of St. Demetrius, metropolitan of Rostov (1709).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Mabyn, missionary in Cornwall (5th C).
Readings:
Ephesians 1:1-9; Luke 4:16-22
Friday 22nd September 2023
Fast day: strict fastCommemorations:
Hieromartyr Phocas the Wonderworker, bishop of Sinope (117). Holy Martyr Phocas the Gardener of Sinope (c.320). Holy Martyrs Isaac and Martin. The 26 Martyrs of Zographou Monastery martyred by the Latins (1276). St. Cosmas, desert-dweller of Zographou, Mt. Athos (1323).
Readings:
Ephesians 1:7-17; Luke 4:22-30
Saturday 23rd September 2023
The Conception of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, JohnCommemorations:
SS Xanthippe and Polyxene, disciples of the Apostles, who died in Spain (109). Virgin-Martyr Irais (Rhais) of Alexandria (c.308). New Martyr Nicholas Pantopolis at Constantinople (1672). New Martyr John of Epirus (1814).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Adomnan (Eunan), abbot of Iona and biographer of St. Columba (704). St. Cissa of Crowland, hermit (8th C).
Readings:
1 Corinthians 10:23-28; Luke 4:31-36
For the Commemoration: Galatians 4:22-27; Luke 1:5-25
Sunday 24th September 2023
Tone 7 - Eothinon 516th after Pentecost, 1st of Luke
Holy Protomartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles Thekla of Iconium (1st C)
Commemorations:
The Miracle of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of the ‘Myrtle Tree’, of Kythera. St. Coprius of Palestine (530). St. Silouan of Mt Athos (1938). Glorification (1978) (11th Sep O.C.) of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg (18th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
SS. Chuniald and Gislar, Irish missionaries in Germany (7th C).
Readings:
2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Luke 5:1-11
For the Commemoration: 2 Timothy 3:10-15; Matthew 25:1-13
Monday 25th September 2023
Commemorations:St. Euphrosyne of Alexandria (5th C). Holy Martyr Paphnutius and 546 companions in Egypt (3rd C). Holy Martyrs Paul and Tatta of Damascus and their children, Sabinian, Maximus, Rufus, and Eugene. Repose of St. Sergius the Wonderworker of Radonezh (1392). Translation of the relics of St. Herman, archbishop of Kazan (1595).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Finbar Barry, 1st bishop of Cork (c.633). St. Ceolfrid, abbot of Wearmouth (716). St. Caian of Anglesey (5th C). St. Egelred of Crowland, martyr (870). St. Fymbert, bishop in the west of Scotland (7th C). St. Mwrog.
Readings:
Ephesians 1:22-2:3; Luke 4:37-44
Tuesday 26th September 2023
Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian (2nd C)Commemorations:
Holy Martyr Cyra. New Hieromartyr Vladimir, priest (1939). St. Nilus of Rossano, founder of Grottaferrata, Italy (1004). St. Ephraim, abbot of Perekop, Wonderworker of Novgorod (1492). Righteous Gideon, Judge of Israel. St. Amantius, Città di Castello (c.600). St. Eusebius of Bologna (c.400). St. Vigilius of Brescia (c.506).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Mawgan, abbot-bishop of Bardsey. St. Colman Elo, abbot of Muckamore (611).
Readings:
Ephesians 2:19-3:7; Luke 5:12-16
For the Commemoration: 1 John 4:12-19; John 19:25-27,21:24-25
Wednesday 27th September 2023
Fast day: strict fastCommemorations:
Holy Martyr Callistratus and his company of 49 Martyrs (c.304). Apostles Mark, Aristarchus, and Zenas, of the Seventy (1st C). New Martyr Aquilina at Thessalonica (1764). St. Epicharis of Rome (305). St. Igantius, abbot in Asia Minor (975). St. Sabbatius, Wonderworker of Solovki (1435).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Barrog, Hermit of Barry (6th C). St. Sigebert, King of the East Angles and Martyr (635).
Readings:
Ephesians 3:8-21; Luke 5:33-39
Thursday 28th September 2023
Saint Chariton the Confessor, abbot of Palestine (c.350)Commemorations:
St. Alkison, bishop of Nicopolis in Epirus (561). St. Auxentius the Alaman, Wonderworker of Cyprus (12th C). St. Neophytus the Recluse of Cyprus (1214). Righteous Prophet Baruch (6th C BC). Martyrdom of St. Wenceslas (Viacheslav), Prince of the Czechs (935). Holy Martyrs Alexander, Alphius, Zosimas, Mark, Nicon, Neon, Heliodorus, and 24 others in Pisidia and Phrygia (4th C).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Conwall (Conval), disciple of St. Kentigern (630). St. Tetta, abbess of Wimborne (8th C). St. Lioba, abbess and missionary (782). St. Machan, monk.
Readings:
Ephesians 4:14-19; Luke 6:12-19
For the Commemoration: 2 Corinthians 4:6-15; Luke 6:17-23
Friday 29th September 2023
Fast day: strict fastCommemorations:
St. Cyriacus the Hermit, of Palestine (556). St. Theophanes the Merciful of Gaza. New Monk-Martyr Malachias of Rhodes and those with him (1500).
Readings:
Ephesians 4:17-25; Luke 6:17-23
Saturday 30th September 2023
Commemorations:Hieromartyr Gregory, the Enlightener of Armenia (c.335). Blessed Jerome (Hieronymus) the Translator (420). Holy Martyrs Mardonius and Stratonicus. Holy Martyrs Rhipsime and Gaiana of Armenia and 35 Holy Virgins with them (4th C). St. Gregory, abbot of Pelshme, Wonderworker of Vologda (1442). St. Michael, 1st metropolitan of Kiev (992).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Honorius, 5th archbishop of Canterbury (653). St. Midan of Anglesey (610). St. Enghenedl of Anglesey (7th C). SS Tancred, Torthred and Tova, hermits and martyrs (870).
Readings:
1 Corinthians 14:20-25; Luke 5:17-26
A copy of this calendar, suitable for printing, is available here in PDF format. For those with appropriate printing facilities a version is available here as an A5 booklet.
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.