This Month's Saints and Readings

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May 2025

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

Thursday 1st May 2025

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:
Acts 4:23-31; John 5:24-30

Friday 2nd May 2025

The Paschal season is fast free
Translation of the relics of Saint Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria
Commemorations:
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:
Acts 5:1-11; John 5:30-6:2
For the Commemoration: Hebrews 13:7-16; Matthew 5:14-19

Saturday 3rd May 2025

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:
Acts 5:21-33; John 6:14-27

Sunday 4th May 2025

Tone 2 - Eothinon 4
3rd of Pascha, Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women
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:
Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8

Monday 5th May 2025

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 6:8-7:5, 47-60; John 4:46-54

Tuesday 6th May 2025

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 8:5-17; John 6:27-33

Wednesday 7th May 2025

The Paschal season is fast free
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 8:18-25; John 6:35-39

Thursday 8th May 2025

Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
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 8:26-39; John 6:40-44
For the Commemoration: 1 John 1:1-7; John 19:25-27,21:24-25

Friday 9th May 2025

The Paschal season is fast free
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 8:40-9:19; John 6:48-54

Saturday 10th May 2025

Holy Apostle Simeon the Zealot
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 9:19-31; John 15:17-16:2
For the Commemoration: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16; Luke 6:12-19

Sunday 11th May 2025

Tone 3 - Eothinon 5
4th of Pascha, Sunday of the Paralysed Man
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 9:32-42; John 5:1-15

Monday 12th May 2025

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 10:1-16; John 6:56-69

Tuesday 13th May 2025

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 10:21-33; John 7:1-13

Wednesday 14th May 2025

The Paschal season is fast free
Mid-Pentecost
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 14:6-18; John 7:14-30

Thursday 15th May 2025

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 10:34-43; John 8:12-20

Friday 16th May 2025

The Paschal season is fast free
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 10:44-11:10; John 8:21-30

Saturday 17th May 2025

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 12:1-11; John 8:31-42

Sunday 18th May 2025

Tone 4 - Eothinon 7
5th of Pascha, Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
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 11:19-30; John 4:5-42

Monday 19th May 2025

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 12:12-17; John 8:42-51

Tuesday 20th May 2025

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 12:25-13:12; John 8:51-59

Wednesday 21st May 2025

The Paschal season is fast free
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena
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 13:13-24; John 6:5-14
For the Commemoration: Acts 26:1,12-20; John 10:1-9

Thursday 22nd May 2025

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.
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Conall, abbot of Inniscoel (7th C).
Readings:
Acts 14:20-15:4; John 9:39-10:9

Friday 23rd May 2025

The Paschal season is fast free
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 15:5-12; John 10:17-28

Saturday 24th May 2025

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 15:35-41; John 10:27-38

Sunday 25th May 2025

Tone 5 - Eothinon 8
6th of Pascha, Sunday of the Blind Man
Third Finding of the Head of the Forerunner and Baptist John
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 16:16-34; John 9:1-38
For the Commemoration: 2 Corinthians 4:6-15; Matthew 11:2-15

Monday 26th May 2025

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 17:1-9; John 11:47-54

Tuesday 27th May 2025

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 17:19-28; John 12:19-36

Wednesday 28th May 2025

The Paschal season is fast free
Leavetaking of Pascha
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 18:22-28; John 12:36-47

Thursday 29th May 2025

The Ascension of our Lord
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 1:1-12; Luke 24:36-53

Friday 30th May 2025

Fast day: strict fast
Afterfeast of the Ascension
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 19:1-8; John 14:1-11

Saturday 31st May 2025

Afterfeast of the Ascension
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 20:7-12; John 14:10-21