May 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

An Eastern Orthodox cross

May 11 - Eastern Orthodox Church calendar - May 13

All fixed commemorations below celebrated on May 25 by Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar. ^{[note 1]}

For May 12th, Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar commemorate the Saints listed on April 29 .

Saints

• Saint Domitilla the martyr (c. 81-96) ^{[1] [2]}
• Saints Nereus and Achilleus the martyrs (100) ^{[2] [3] [4]}
• Saint Dracontius, Bishop of Nicaea (c. 1st to 3rd centuries) ^{[5] [note 2]}
• Saint Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and Metropolitan of Cyprus (403) ^{[2] [6] [7] [8]}
• Saint Calliope (Callitropos), nun, sister of St. Epiphanius of Cyprus. ^[9]
• Saint Sabinus, Archbishop of Cyprus (successor of St. Epiphanius to the Cypriot cathedra) (5th century) ^{[6] [10]}
• Saint Polybius of Cyprus, Bishop of Rinokyr in Egypt, Wonderworker (5th century) ^{[6] [11]}
• Saint Theophanes, Archbishop of Cyprus (7th century) ^{[12] [note 3]}
• Patriarch Germanus I of Constantinople (740) ^{[2] [6] [13] [14]}
• Venerable Theodore of Kythera, ascetic (922) ^{[6] [15]}

Pre-Schism Western saints

• Saint Philip of Agira in Sicily, the Hieromartyr (103) ^{[2] [6] [16] [17] [note 4]}
• Martyr Pancratius of Rome (304) ^{[2] [6] [18] [19]}
• Martyr Dionysius (Denis), uncle of St. Pancratius (304) ^{[2] [20]}
• Saint Díoma, teacher of St Declan of Ardmore, patron-saint of Kildimo in Co. Limerick in Ireland (5th century) ^[20]
• Saint Modoald, Archbishop of Trier, related by blood and united by friendship with most of the saints of the Merovingian period (640) ^{[2] [20]}
• Saint Rictrudis, Abbess of Marchiennes Abbey in Flanders (688) ^{[20] [21] [note 5]}
• Saint Æthelhard, Archbishop of Canterbury (805) ^[20]

Post-Schism Orthodox saints

• Saint Euthemius (Euthymius), Patriarch of Jerusalem (c. 1084 or c. 1224) ^{[22] [note 6]}
• Saint Nikitas the Sinaite. ^[23]
• New Martyr John of Serres (15th century) ^{[6] [24]}
• Saint Theophanes, Bishop of Solea (Solia), Cyprus, later a hermit in the Troodos Mountains, the Outpourer of Myrrh (1550) ^[25]
• Venerable Dionysius of Radonezh, Archimandrite of the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra(1633) ^{[6] [26] [27] [note 7]}
• New Martyr John of Wallachia, at Constantinople (1662) ^{[6] [28] [29] [note 8]}
• Saint Anthony (Medvedev) of Radonezh, Archimandrite of Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra (1877) ^{[6] [30]}
• Repose of Saint Nectarius (Tikhonov) of Optina (1928) ^{[31] [note 9]}
• Synaxis of the Holy Elders of the Sofronievo-Molchensk Hermitage (2009): ^{[6] [32] [33] [note 10] [note 11]}

• Archimandrite Theodosy (Maslov) (1802); ^{[35] [36]}
• Hieromonk Serapion (Molchensky) (1718); ^[37]
• Monk Sophronius (Batovrin) (1692); ^[38]
• Novice Sergius (Tikhonov), Fool-for-Christ (1879). ^[39]

New martyrs and confessors

• New Martyr Abbess Athanasia (Lepeshkina), of the Smolensk Hodigitria Convent near Moscow (1932) ^{[6] [40] [41] [note 12]} (see also: April 29 ^[41] - OS )
• New Hieromartyr Peter Popov, priest of Yaroslavl-Rostov (1937) ^{[40] [42] [43]}
• Martyr Evdokia Martishkina (1938) ^{[42] [44]}

Other commemorations

• Consecration of the Cathedral of the Theotokos at Kiev (in 996) ^{[45] [46]}
• Glorification (1913) of Hieromartyr Patriarch Hermogenes of Moscow (1612) ^{[6] [47] [48]}
• Discovery of the holy relics (1961) of Saint Irene of Lesvos the Virgin-martyr (1463) ^[49]
• Second Uncovering of the relics (1992) of Righteous Simeon of Verkhoturye (1642) ^{[6] [40]}
• Commemoration of Monk Dorotheus, Disciple of St. Dionysius of St. Sergius Lavra (1622) ^[6]

Icon gallery

• 
  Sts. Domitilla, Nereus, and Achilleus (Peter Paul Rubens).
• 
  St. Epiphanius of Salamis.
• 
  Patriarch Germanus I of Constantinople.
• 
  Patriarch Germanus I of Constantinople and the Liddskaja icon.
• 
  St. Pancratius of Rome.
• 
  St. Dionysius of Radonezh, Archimandrite of the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra.
• 
  Hieromartyr Patriarch Hermogenes of Moscow.

Notes

1. 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").
2. Note, there is a "Dracontius of Pergamum" who attended the Council of Constantinople (360).
3. His memory is preserved in the Codex Hierosolymitanus of the 11th century. ^[12]
4. "At Agirone in Sicily, St. Philip, a priest who was sent to that island by the Roman Pontiff, and converted to Christ a great portion of it. His sanctity is particularly manifested by the deliverance of persons possessed." ^[2]
5. Born in Gascony in France, she married St Adalbald, by whom she had four children - all saints, Maurontius, Eusebia, Clotsindis and Adalsindis. After her husband's repose she became a nun and founded the convent of Marchiennes in the north of France.
6. His name does not appear in the Synaxaria and the Menaia, but is preserved in the Codex Hierosolymitanus. The Church also observes his feast day on November 7. ^[22]
7. See: (in Russian) Дионисий Радонежский . Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
8. Also John Valaha of Romania or Ioan Valahul (Românul).
9. Saint Nectarius' is venerated on April 29, and with all the Optina Elders on October 11.
10. On June 28, 2009, at the Sophrony-Molchensk Pechersk Monastery of the Nativity of Theotokos (in the village of Nova Sloboda, Putivl district of Sumy region), at the Divine Liturgy, headed by Metropolitan Volodymyr, took place the rite of glorification of four God-pleasers, who bore obedience at the monastery at different times.
    The Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the decision of April 14, 2009 blessed for the local glorification and veneration:
    
    • Archimandrite Theodosy (Maslov),
    • Hieromonk Serapion,
    • Monk Sophrony (Batovrin) in the ranks of the venerable fathers, and
    • Lay brother Serhiy Tikhonov as fool for Christ. ^[34]
11. See: (in Russian) Софрониево-Молченская Печерская пустынь . Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
12. See: (in Russian) Троице-Одигитриевская пустынь . Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).

References

1. Ἡ Ἁγία Δομιτίλλα ἡ Μάρτυς. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
2. May 12. The Roman Martyrology.
3. Οἱ Ἅγιοι Ἀχιλλέας καὶ Νερέος οἱ Μάρτυρες. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
4. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "SS. NEREUS, ACHILLES, AND FLAVIA DOMITILLA, MM. (1ST CENT.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 158-159.
5. Ὁ Ἅγιος Δρακόντιος Ἐπίσκοπος Νικαίας. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
6. May 12/25. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU).
7. Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἐπιφάνιος Ἐπίσκοπος Κωνσταντίας καὶ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κύπρου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
8. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. EPIPHANIUS, B. OF SALAMIS. (A.D. 403.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 164-170.
9. Ἡ Ὁσία Καλλίτροπος, ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
10. St Sabinus the Archbishop of Cyprus. OCA - Feasts and Saints.
11. St Polybius the Bishop in Cyprus. OCA - Feasts and Saints.
12. Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεοφάνης Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κύπρου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
13. Ὁ Ἅγιος Γερμανὸς Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
14. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. GERMANUS, PATR. OF CONSTANTINOPLE, C. (ABOUT A.D. 732.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 174-180.
15. Ὁ Ὅσιος Θεόδωρος ὁ ἐν Κυθήροις ἀσκήσας. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
16. Ὁ Ἅγιος Φίλιππος ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας ὁ Ἀργύριος. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
17. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. PHILIP OF AGYRA, P.C. (5TH CENTURY)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 161-164.
18. Ὁ Ἅγιος Παγκράτιος ὁ Μάρτυρας. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
19. Martyr Pancratius. OCA - Feasts and Saints.
20. May 12. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
21. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. RICTRUDIS, W. ABSS. (ABOUT A.D. 688.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 170-173.
22. Ὁ Ἅγιος Εὐθύμιος Πατριάρχης Ἱεροσολύμων. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
23. Ὁ Ὅσιος Νικήτας ὁ Σιναΐτης. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
24. Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Νεομάρτυρας ἐκ Σερρῶν. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
25. Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεοφάνης Ἐπίσκοπος Σολέα Κύπρου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
26. Ὁ Ὅσιος Διονύσιος τοῦ Ραντονέζ. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
27. Venerable Dionysius the Archimandrite of St Sergius' Monastery. OCA - Feasts and Saints.
28. Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Νεομάρτυρας ἐκ Βλαχίας. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
29. Martyr John the Wallachian of Romania. OCA - Feasts and Saints.
30. Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀντώνιος τοῦ Ραντονέζ. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
31. Ὁ Ὅσιος Νεκτάριος τῆς Ὄπτινα. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
32. (in Russian) СОБОР МОЛЧЕНСКИХ ПРЕПОДОБНЫХ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 27, 2026.
33. Vladimir (Sabodan) of Kiev, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine. New-Year Address of the Hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE (OCP). December 26, 2009.
34. Maxim Sydorenko. Glorification Among Saints of Four God-Pleasers Held at Sophrony-Molchensk Pechersk Monastery of Nativity of Theotokos. THE VOICE OF ORTHODOXY. MAY-JUNE 2009.
35. (in Russian) ФЕОДОСИЙ (МАСЛОВ). Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 27, 2026.
36. Ὁ Ὅσιος Θεοδόσιος ἐκ Ρωσίας. 12 Ιανουαρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
37. (in Russian) СЕРАПИОН МОЛЧЕНСКИЙ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 27, 2026.
38. (in Russian) СОФРОНИЙ (БАТОВРИН). Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 27, 2026.
39. (in Russian) СЕРГИЙ (ТИХОНОВ). Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 27, 2026.
40. May 25 / May 12. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
41. (in Russian) АФАНАСИЯ (ЛЕПЕШКИНА). Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 26, 2026.
42. (in Russian) 12 мая (ст.ст.) 25 мая 2013 (нов. ст.). Русская Православная Церковь Отдел внешних церковных связей. (DECR).
43. (in Russian) ПОПОВ ПЕТР АЛЕКСЕЕВИЧ, ЯРОСЛАВСКИЙ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 27, 2026.
44. (in Russian) МАРТИШКИНА ЕВДОКИЯ ПЕТРОВНА. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 27, 2026.
45. The Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of Western Europe and the Americas (ROCOR). St. Hilarion Calendar of Saints for the year of our Lord 2004. St. Hilarion Press (Austin, TX). p.35.
46. (in Russian) КИЕВСКИЙ ДЕСЯТИННЫЙ ХРАМ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: February 27, 2026.
47. Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἑρμογένης ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας Πατριάρχης Μόσχας. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
48. Hieromartyr Hermogenes the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. OCA - Feasts and Saints.
49. Εὕρεσις Τιμίων Λειψάνων Ἁγίας Εἰρήνης τῆς Παρθενομάρτυρος. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

Sources

• May 12/25. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU).
• May 25 / May 12. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow)
• May 12. OCA - The Lives of the Saints.
• May 12. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
• May 12. The Roman Martyrology.

Greek Sources

• Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) 12 ΜΑΪΟΥ. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
• (in Greek) Συναξαριστής. 12 Μαΐου. ECCLESIA.GR. (H ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ).

Russian Sources

• (in Russian) 25 мая (12 мая). Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
• (in Russian) 12 мая (ст.ст.) 25 мая 2013 (нов. ст.). Русская Православная Церковь Отдел внешних церковных связей. (DECR).