May 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

The Eastern Orthodox cross

May 17 — Eastern Orthodox Church calendar — May 19

All fixed commemorations below are celebrated on May 31 by Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar. ^{[note 1]}

For May 18th, Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar commemorate the Saints listed on May 5 .

Saints

• Martyrs Peter of Lampsacus, Andrew, Paul, Dionysia, and Christina, under Decius (c. 249 - 251) ^{[1] [note 2]}
• Martyrs Heraclius, Paulinus, and Benedimus of Athens. ^{[1] [3]}
• Martyr Euphrasia of Nicaea (c. 303) ^{[4] [5]}
• Martyr Galactia ^[6]
• Martyr Julian ^[7]
• Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra , ^{[8] [9]} and with him eight virgin-martyrs:

• Alexandra, Tecusa, Claudia, Phaine (Thaïna), Euphrasia, Theodota, Matrona, and Julia (304) ^{[8] [10] [11]} (see also: June 7 and November 6)

• Martyr Dioscorus, in Cynopolis of Egypt (305) ^{[8] [12]}
• Martyrs Symeon, Isaac, and Bachtisius of Persia (339) ^{[4] [note 3]}
• Hieromartyr Potamon (Palæmon), Bishop of Heraclea in Egypt, and Confessor (340) ^{[8] [13] [14]}
• The Holy clergy and lay martyrs massacred under Emperor Valens (364-378) ^{[15] [note 4]}
• Martyrs David and Tarechan, of Georgia (693) ^[16]
• Patriarch Stephen the New of Constantinople (893) ^[17]
• Saint Anastaso (Anastasia) of Leukadion (or Laucation), near the Bithinian sea-shore ^[18]
• Saint Martinian of Areovinthus (Areobindus, Areovinchus), monk of the church of the Theotokos of the Areovinthus quarter, Constantinople ^[19]
• Hosios Stephanos the Chorabyte ^[20]

Pre-Schism Western saints

• Martyr Venantius of Camerino (250) ^{[8] [21] [22]}
• Hieromartyr Felix, Bishop of Spoleto, in Umbria (304) ^{[8] [22] [23]}
• Hieromartyr Pope John I of Rome (526) ^{[8] [22] [24]}
• Hieromartyr Pope Theodore I of Rome (649) ^[25]
• Martyr Merililaun (Merolilaun), a pilgrim murdered near Rheims and venerated as a martyr (8th century) ^[22]
• Saint Feredarius (Feradach mac Cormaic), Abbot of Iona (c. 880) ^[22]
• Saint Elgiva, Widow of King Edmund, Abbess of Shaftesbury (944) ^{[22] [note 5]}

Post-Schism Orthodox saints

• Saint Macarius (Glukharev) of the Altai, Archimandrite (1847) ^{[27] [28] [29]}
• Saint John Gashkevich, Archpriest of Korma (1917) ^{[4] [30] [31]}

New martyrs and confessors

• New Hieromartyr Michael Vinogradov, priest (1932) ^{[32] [33]}
• New Hieromartyr Damian (Damjan) Strbac, Jr., priest of Grahovo, Serbia (1941) ^{[34] [note 6]}
• New Hieromartyr Basil Krylov, priest (1942) ^{[32] [33]}

Other commemorations

• Translation of the relics of Saint Mildred of Thanet (Mildthryth), Abbess of Minster-in-Thanet (8th century)
• Repose of Blessed Philip, founder of the Gethsemane Caves Skete of St. Sergius Lavra (1869) ^[4]

Icon gallery

• 
  Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra.
• 
  Seal of "Stephen, Patriarch of Constantinople and New Rome" - i.e. either of Stephen I or II.
• 
  St. Venantius of Camerino is hung upside-down over a fire, and then thrown to the lions.
• 
  Pope John I.
• 
  Pope Theodore I.
• 
  St. Mildthryth.
• 
  St. John Gashkevich, Archpriest of Korma.

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. The Roman Martyrology lists "Saints Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Dionysia" for May 15 ^[2] but Greek synaxarions contains not Dionysia but Dionysius and additionally Christina ^[1]
3. In the Greek Menaion these are commemorated on May 16.
4. When the pro-Arian Emperor Valens (364 to 378 AD) AD) lived in Nicomedia, a committee of eighty Orthodox clergy visited him to talk about the issue of Arius. These Holy Martyrs had a martyric end, after having been put on a ship which was burned near Dakyvizi (or Dakymizi).
5. "ELGIVA was the wife of King Edmund, and mother of his successors, Edwig and the great Edgar. She was a woman of many virtues, and greatly venerated for her piety and supernatural gifts. She abounded in alms-deeds and every good work, her sweetness and piety were obvious to all who beheld her, and she had an utter contempt of vain ornaments and dress. Elgiva had moreover the gift of prophecy in a remarkable degree, and by her prudent counsel was a main support to her illustrious son, Edgar, who held her in the highest respect. Through her liberality, the Monastery of Shaftesbury was rebuilt or enlarged, and in that sanctuary her sacred relics reposed. The name of the Saint in the ancient English language was Ælgifu, Elgiva or Algyva being the Latin form adopted by the chroniclers." ^[26]
6. See: (in Serbian) Дамјан Штрбац. Википедије (Serbian Wikipedia).

References

1. Οἱ Ἅγιοι Πέτρος, Διονύσιος, Ἀνδρέας, Παῦλος, Χριστίνα, Ἡράκλειος, Παυλίνος καὶ Βενέδιμος οἱ Μάρτυρες. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
2. May 15. The Roman Martyrology.
3. (in Russian) ИРАКЛИЙ, ПАВЛИН, ВЕНЕДИМ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
4. May 18/31. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU).
5. Ἡ Ἁγία Εὐφρασία ἡ Μάρτυς. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
6. Ἡ Ἁγία Γαλακτία ἡ Μάρτυς. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
7. Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰουλιανὸς ὁ Μάρτυρας. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
8. May 18. The Roman Martyrology.
9. Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεόδοτος ὁ Μάρτυρας. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
10. Οἱ Ἁγίες Ἀλεξανδρία, Εὐφρασία, Θεοδότη, Ἰουλία, Κλαυδία, Ματρώνα, Τεκοῦσα καὶ Φαεινὴ οἱ Παρθενομάρτυρες. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
11. The Holy Martyr Theodotos and the Holy Seven Virgins – Tecusa, Thaina, Claudia, Matrona, Julia, Alexandra and Euphrasia. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
12. Ὁ Ἅγιος Διόσκορος ὁ Μάρτυρας. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
13. Ὁ Ἅγιος Ποταμὼν ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας Ἐπίσκοπος Ἡρακλείας. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
14. Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). May 18 - St. Potamon, Bishop and Martyr. The Lives of the Saints, Volume V: May. 1866.
15. Οἱ Ἅγιοι κληρικοὶ καὶ λαϊκοί Μάρτυρες οἱ ἀναιρεθέντες ὑπὸ τὸν αὐτοκράτορα Οὐάλη. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
16. Οἱ Ἅγιοι Δαβὶδ καὶ Ταριχάνι οἱ Μάρτυρες. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
17. Ὁ Ἅγιος Στέφανος Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
18. Ἡ Ὁσία Ἀναστασὼ ἡ ἐν τοῖς Λευκαδίου. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
19. Ὁ Ὅσιος Μαρτινιανὸς ὁ ἐν τοῖς Ἀρεοβίνθου. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
20. Ὁ Ὅσιος Στέφανος ὁ Χωρηβίτης. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
21. Ὁ Ἅγιος Βενάντιος ὁ Μάρτυρας. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
22. May 18. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
23. Ὁ Ἅγιος Φήλικας ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
24. John I May 18. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
25. Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεόδωρος ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας Ἐπίσκοπος Ρώμης. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
26. Rev. Richard Stanton. A Menology of England and Wales, or, Brief Memorials of the Ancient British and English Saints Arranged According to the Calendar, Together with the Martyrs of the 16th and 17th Centuries. London: Burns & Oates, 1892. pp. 214-215.
27. Ὁ Ὅσιος Μακάριος ὁ Ἱεραπόστολος. 18 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
28. ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY
29. Official Calendar of Moscow Patriarchy (in Russian)
30. RUSSIAN CHURCH ADDS 30 LOCALLY-VENERATED SAINTS TO CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR. Orthodox Christianity. December 1, 2017.
31. (in Russian) ИОАНН КОРМЯНСКИЙ. "Древо" открытие Православная энциклопедия. Retrieved: February 16, 2026.
32. May 31 / May 18. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
33. (in Russian) 31 мая (18 мая). Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
34. ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY. Retrieved: 6 August 2015.

Sources

• May 18/31. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU).
• May 31 / May 18. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
• May 18. The Roman Martyrology.
• May 18. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
• Rev. Richard Stanton. A Menology of England and Wales, or, Brief Memorials of the Ancient British and English Saints Arranged According to the Calendar, Together with the Martyrs of the 16th and 17th Centuries. London: Burns & Oates, 1892. pp. 214–215.

Greek Sources

• Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) 18 ΜΑΪΟΥ. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
• (in Greek) Συναξαριστής. 18 Μαΐου. ECCLESIA.GR. (H ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ).

Russian Sources

• (in Russian) 31 мая (18 мая). Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).