May 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
May 20 - Eastern Orthodox Church calendar - May 22
All fixed commemorations below are celebrated on June 3 by Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar.[note 1]
For May 21st, Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar commemorate the Saints listed on May 8.
Saints
- Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine (337), and Empress Helena, his mother (327)[1][2][3][4][note 2][note 3]
- Martyrs Polyeuctus, Victorinus, and Donatus, at Caesarea in Cappadocia.[6][7]
- Hieromartyr Secundus and those with him, in Alexandria (356)[2][3][6][8]
- Saint Adelphios, Bishop of Onouphis, in Byzantine Egypt (c. 362)[9][10][note 4]
- Saint Boros, monk.[13][note 5]
- Saint Christopher I, Patriarch of Antioch (967)[14]
Pre-Schism Western saints
- Hieromartyrs Timothy, Polius and Eutychius, deacons, in Mauretania Caesariensis, Morocco.[6][15][16]
- Hieromartyr Valens and Companions, Bishop who was martyred in Auxerre in France along with three children.[6][16]
- Martyr Secundinus, in Cordoba in Spain under Diocletian (c. 306)[6][16]
- Saint Hospitius the Hermit of Nice, Wonderworker (581)[2][3][6][16][17]
- Saint Barrfoin (Bairrfhionn, Barrindus) of Killbarron (6th century)[16][18][note 6]
- Saint Gollen (Collen, Colan) of Denbighshire, a saint who has given his name to Llangollen in Wales (7th century)[16]
- Saint Isberga (Itisberga) of Aire, reputed sister of Charlemagne, nun at Aire (Aria) in the Artois, of which she is the patroness (c. 800)[16][19][note 7]
- Saint Ageranus (Ayran, Ayrman) of Beze, a monk at Bèze in France, martyred by the Vikings (888)[16]
- Saint Theobald of Vienne (Thibaud), Archbishop of Vienne (970-1001)[16]
Post-Schism Orthodox saints
- Blessed Constantine (Yaroslav), prince, and his children Michael and Theodore, Wonderworkers of Murom (1129)[2][3][21]
- Saint Cyril II (Kirill), Bishop of Rostov (1262)[2][22][23]
- Saint Basil of Ryazan, Bishop (1295)[2][3][24][note 8] (see also: April 12)
- Saint Helen of Dečani, Serbia, Princess (c. 1350)[2][3][25]
- Venerable Cassian the Greek, monk of Uglich, Wonderworker (1504)[2][3][26][27][note 9]
- Monk-martyr Agapitus of Markushev, Vologda (1584)[2][3][28][29]
- Saint Constantine the Fool-for-Christ, of Novotorzhsky, Russia (c. 16th century)[30][note 10][note 11]
- New Martyrs King Constantine Brancoveanu of Wallachia and his four sons Constantine, Stephen, Radu, and Matthew, and his counsellor Ianache (1714)[31][note 12]
- Martyr Pachomios of Patmos (1730)[3][32]
- Saint Callistratus of Georgia, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (1952)[33][note 13]
New martyrs and confessors
- Synaxis of All Saints of Karelia.[2][3][27][35][note 14]
- Synaxis of All Saints of Simbirsk.[2][3][27][36][note 15]
- Synaxis of New Hieromartyrs and Confessors of Ufa.[2][3][27][37][38][note 16]
Other commemorations
- Repose of Elena Pavlova of Chepel, Kharkiv (1885)[2]
- Repose of Elder Isaac of Dionysiou Monastery of Mount Athos (1932)[2]
- Uncovering of the relics (1998) of St. Andrew Ogorodnikov, Fool-for-Christ of Simbirsk (1841)[2][note 17]
- The Anastenaria fire-walking ritual is performed from May 21–23 in some villages in Northern Greece and Southern Bulgaria, coinciding with the feast of Constantine and Helen.[39][note 18]
Icons
- Synaxis of the "Vladimir" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1521)[2][3][40][41][42][note 19]
- Synaxis of the "Virgin of Tenderness" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos from Pskov-Pechersk (1524)[3][27][43][44][45][note 20][note 21]
Icon gallery
-
Sts Constantine and Helena, Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles.
-
Sts Constantine and Helena, Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles (Mosaic in Saint Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia).
-
Stained glass window ( 1986 ) showing St Collen (Llangollen, Wales - St.Collen parish church).
-
Icon of the Saints of Murom (including Saints Prince Constantine, with Children Michael and Theodore).
-
Saint Basil of Ryazan, Bishop.
-
Saint Helen of Dečani, Serbia, Princess.
-
King Constantin Brâncoveanu of Wallachia, and his sons (Church mural in Hurezi Monastery).
-
-
Our Lady of Vladimir (painted about 1131 in Constantinople).
-
"Virgin of Tenderness" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos from Pskov-Pechersk.
Notes
- ^ The notation Old Style or (OS) is sometimes used to indicate a date in the Julian Calendar (which is used by churches on the "Old Calendar").
The notation New Style or (NS), indicates a date in the Revised Julian calendar (which is used by churches on the "New Calendar"). - ^ Name days celebrated today include:
- Constantine, Kostas (Κωνσταντίνος);
- Constantina, Dina (Κωνσταντίνα);
- Helen, Eleni, Elena, Eileen (Ἑλένη).
- ^ These royal saints are invoked at Crownings (Wedding ceremonies) and are otherwise very popular saints in Ukraine, especially in connection to the Finding of the True Cross. St Olga of Kiev took the name “Helen” or “Olena” as her baptismal name after St Helen.[5]
- ^ Onouphis: also Onouphitai, Mehallet Menuf, Mahallat Minuf.
Note that there were two Bishops of Onouphis, with the name "Adelphios":- Adelphios I — c. 362; and
- Adelphios II — c. 431.[11]
- ^ His memory is recalled in the "Jerusalemitic Canonarion", in conjunction with Isidore and Theodore.
- ^ By tradition he was in charge of the church founded by St Columba in Drum Cullen in Offaly, Ireland and later he lived in Killbarron near Ballyshannon in Donegal. It is said that he reached America on one of his missions by sea and informed St Brendan the Navigator of his discovery. He is also said to have been a bishop.[16]
- ^ "Gallican and Belgian Martyrologies. Regarded as patroness of Artois. Great difficulties stand in the way of giving her history accurately. It is uncertain whether she is to be identified with Gisela, the sister of Charlemagne, or not."[19]
The legend of S. Gisela, or Isberga, is given in the "Lédgendaire de La Morine."[20]
See also the discussion on Toponymy: (in French) Aire-sur-la-Lys: Toponymie. Wikipédia. (French Wikipedia). - ^ See: (in Russian) Василий I (епископ Рязанский). Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
- ^ See: (in Russian) Кассиан Грек. Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
- ^ St Constantine is mentioned by Archbishop Dmitri Sambikin (1905-1908), in the Menologion and Paterikon of Tver.
- ^ See: (in Russian) Борисоглебский монастырь (Торжок). Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
- ^ See also: August 16. May 21 may refer to the Translation of his relics, in 1720.
- ^ He was glorified by the Georgian Orthodox Church on 22 December 2016, his feast day set for 3 June (NS 21 May).[34]
- ^ See: (in Russian) Собор Карельских святых. Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
- ^ See: (in Russian) Собор Симбирских святых. Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
- ^ See: (in Russian) Собор Уфимских святых. Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
- ^ See: (in Russian) Андрей Симбирский. Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
- ^ "According to local legend, the Anastenaria fire-walking tradition began when a fire broke out in the Church of Constantine and Helen in the village of Kosti in Thrace. The villagers defied the danger and entered the blazing church to save the icons, emerging unscathed. The miracle is now celebrated each year when the ‘Anastenarides’ walk barefoot on burning coals."[39]
- ^ The Celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was established in memory of the saving of Moscow in the year 1521 from an invasion of Tatars led by Khan Makhmet-Girei. It is commemorated on May 21, as well as June 23 and August 26.
- ^ Commemorated on May 21, August 26, June 23, October 7 and on the 7th Sunday of Pascha.
- ^ See: (in Russian) Псково-Печерская икона «Умиление». Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
References
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Οἱ Ἅγιοι Κωνσταντίνος καὶ Ἑλένη οἱ Ἱσαπόστολοι. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p May 21/June 3. Orthodox Calendar (ORTHOCHRISTIAN.COM).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n June 3 / May 21. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
- ^ Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. CONSTANTINE, EMP. (A.D. 337.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 314-318.
- ^ Dr. Alexander Roman. May. Calendar of Ukrainian Orthodox Saints (Ukrainian Orthodoxy - Українське Православ'я).
- ^ a b c d e f May 21. The Roman Martyrology.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Οἱ Ἅγιοι Πολύευκτος, Βίκτωρ καὶ Δονάτος οἱ Μάρτυρες. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "SS. SECUNDUS, P.M., AND COMPANIONS, MM. (A.D. 356.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 319-320.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀδέλφιος. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ a b (in Russian) АДЕЛЬФИЙ ОНИФИССКИЙ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 24, 2026.
- ^ K. A. Worp. "A Checklist of Bishops in Byzantine Egypt (A.D. 325 - c. 750)". Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik, Bd. 100 (1994), pp.283-318. Page 303.
- ^ АДЕЛЬФИЙ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru). Retrieved: March 24, 2026.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Βόρος. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Χριστόφορος Α’ Πατριάρχης Ἀντιοχείας. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Οἱ Ἅγιοι Τιμόθεος, Πόλιος καὶ Εὐτύχιος οἱ Ἱερομάρτυρες. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j May 21. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Ὁσπίτιος ὁ Ἐρημίτης. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Very Rev. John O'Hanlon. "ARTICLE I.—ST. BAIRRFHIONN, PATRON OF DRUIM-CUILINN, OR DRUIM-CULLEN, KING'S COUNTY, AND OF CILL-BAIRRFHINN, NOW KILBARRON, COUNTY OF DONEGAL. [SIXTH CENTURY.]." In: Lives of the Irish Saints: With Special Festivals, and the Commemorations of Holy Persons. VOL. V. Dublin, 1875. pp. 522-528.
- ^ a b Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. ISBERGA, V. (ABOUT A.D. 800.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 320-322.
- ^ Légendaire de la morinie ou Vie des saints de l'ancien diocèse de Thérouanne. (Ypres, Saint-Omer, Boulogne) - Berger frères, 1850.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Οἱ Ἅγιοι Κωνσταντίνος, Μιχαὴλ καὶ Θεόδωρος οἱ Πρίγκιπες καὶ Θαυματουργοί. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Κύριλλος Β’ Ἐπίσκοπος Ροστώβ. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Fr. S. Janos (Transl.). Sainted Kirill (Cyril), Bishop of Rostov. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Βασίλειος Ἐπίσκοπος Ριαζὰν καὶ Μουρώμ. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ἡ Ἁγία Ἑλένη ἡ πριγκίπισσα. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Κασσιανὸς ὁ Θαυματουργός ὁ Ἕλληνας. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ a b c d e (in Russian) 21 мая (ст.ст.) 3 июня 2013 (нов. ст.). Русская Православная Церковь Отдел внешних церковных связей. (DECR).
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀγαπητὸς ὁ Ὁσιομάρτυρας. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ (in Russian) АГАПИТ МАРКУШЕВСКИЙ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 23, 2026.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Κωνστανίνος ὁ διὰ Χριστὸν Σαλός. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Κωνσταντίνος ὁ Νεομάρτυρας καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ μαρτυρήσαντες. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Παχώμιος ὁ Ὁσιομάρτυρας ὁ Νέος. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ (in Russian) КАЛЛИСТРАТ (ЦИНЦАДЗЕ). Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 23, 2026.
- ^ "კათოლიკოს-პატრიარქი კალისტრატე ცინცაძე სინოდმა წმინდანად შერაცხა". Tabula. 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
- ^ (in Russian) СОБОР КАРЕЛЬСКИХ СВЯТЫХ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 23, 2026.
- ^ (in Russian) СОБОР СИМБИРСКИХ СВЯТЫХ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 23, 2026.
- ^ Hieromartyrs And Martyrs Of Ufa And Orenburg. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, McKinney (Dallas area) Texas.
- ^ (in Russian) СОБОР УФИМСКИХ СВЯТЫХ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 23, 2026.
- ^ a b Kerry Kolasa-Sikiaridi. 'Anastenaria' Fire-Walking Festival in Lagada, Thessaloniki From May 21-23. Greek Reporter: Greece. May 19, 2017.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου τοῦ Βλαδιμήρου. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ Fr. S. Janos (Transl.). The Celebration of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
- ^ Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. OCA - Feasts and Saints.
- ^ Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου τῆς Τρυφερῆς. 21 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- ^ The "Umilenie-Tenderness" Pskovo-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
- ^ Icon of the Mother of God "Virgin of Tenderness" from the Pskov Caves. OCA - Feasts and Saints.
Sources
- May 21/June 3. Orthodox Calendar (ORTHOCHRISTIAN.COM).
- June 3 / May 21. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
- May 21. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
- May 21. The Roman Martyrology.
Greek Sources
- Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) 21 ΜΑΪΟΥ. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
- (in Greek) Συναξαριστής. 21 Μαΐου. ECCLESIA.GR. (H ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ).
Russian Sources
- (in Russian) 3 июня (21 мая). Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
- (in Russian) 21 мая (ст.ст.) 3 июня 2013 (нов. ст.). Русская Православная Церковь Отдел внешних церковных связей. (DECR).