May 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

+ May 15 May 16 May 17 ≍ ≍

May 16 in Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendars is a feast day and a day of commemoration of saints and martyrs. Although some Orthodox churches use the Revised Julian Calendar and others use the traditional Julian calendar, the fixed commemorations for their respective May16 are broadly the same, no matter which calendar is used.

Saints

Hieromartyr Alexander of Jerusalem, Archbishop (251)May 14/27. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU).Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἱεροσολύμων. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Papylinus the Martyr, by the sword.Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Παπυλίνος ὁ Μάρτυρας. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.Hieromonk Makarios of Simonos Petra (Ed.). THE SYNAXARION: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church: VOLUME FIVE - May, June. Transl. from the French by Mother Maria (Rule) and Mother Joanna (Burton). Holy Convent of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Ormylia (Chalkidike), 2005. p. 181. Martyrs Bachtisius, Isaac and Symeon of Persia (339)Great Synaxaristes: Οἱ Ἅγιοι Βαχθισόης, Ἰσαάκιος καὶ Συμεὼν οἱ Μάρτυρες. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Theodore the Sanctified of Tabennisi, disciple of Saint Pachomios the Great (367)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ὅσιος Θεόδωρος ὁ Ἡγιασμένος ὁ Ταβεννησιώτης. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Martyrs Abda (Audas) and Abdjesus (Audiesus), successive bishops of Beth-Kashkar, and 38 other martyrs in the Persian Empire, under Ardashir II (376), including:Great Synaxaristes: Οἱ Ἅγιοι Αὐδᾶς, Αὐδιησοῦς, Βενιαμὶν καὶ ἄλλοι τριάντα ὀκτὼ Μάρτυρες. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. 16 priests, 9 deacons, 6 monks, and 7 unnamed virgins, in Persia. Saint Neadius (Neadios), Bishop and Wonderworker.Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ὅσιος Νεάδιος. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Bardas, founder of the monastery of the Forerunner in Petra, Constantinople (5th-6th century)Hieromonk Makarios of Simonos Petra (Ed.). THE SYNAXARION: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church: VOLUME FIVE - May, June. Transl. from the French by Mother Maria (Rule) and Mother Joanna (Burton). Holy Convent of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Ormylia (Chalkidike), 2005. pp. 180-181. Martyrdom of the 44 Holy Sabaite fathers, monk-martyrs of the Great Lavra of St. Sabbas the Sanctified, massacred by the Bedouins (614)Great Synaxaristes: Οἱ Ἅγιοι ἀββάδες οἱ ἐν τῇ μονῇ τοῦ Ἁγίου Σάββα ἀναιρεθέντες. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.Hieromonk Makarios of Simonos Petra (Ed.). THE SYNAXARION: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church: VOLUME FIVE - May, June. Transl. from the French by Mother Maria (Rule) and Mother Joanna (Burton). Holy Convent of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Ormylia (Chalkidike), 2005. p. 182. Martyr Peter of Blachernae (761)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Πέτρος ὁ Ὁσιομάρτυρας. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Thomas I, Patriarch of Jerusalem (820) Saint George of Mitylene, Bishop (821 or 842)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Γεώργιος ὁ Ὁμολογητής Ἐπίσκοπος Μυτιλήνης. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Nicholas Mystikos, Patriarch of Constantinople (925)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Νικόλαος ὁ Α’ ὁ Μυστικὸς, Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

Pre-Schism Western saints

Saint Fort (Fort de Bordeaux), first Bishop of Bordeaux in France, venerated as a martyr (c. 1st century?)May 16. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome. Saint Peregrinus, Bishop of Terni (138)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Περεγρίνος Ἐπίσκοπος Τέρνι. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Peregrine of Auxerre, martyr, the first bishop of Auxerre and the builder of its first cathedral (261 or 304)May 16. The Roman Martyrology.Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Περεγρίνος ὁ Μάρτυρας τῆς Ὡξέρρης. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Martyrs Felix and Gennadius, at Uzalis in Africa.Great Synaxaristes: Οἱ Ἅγιοι Φήλικας καὶ Γεννάδιος οἱ Μάρτυρες. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia at Lucania (c. 303) Saint Hilary, Bishop of Pavia, one of the bishops in the north of Italy who fought against Arianism (376) Saint Possidius, Bishop of Calama in Numidia in North Africa, a friend of Saint Augustine of Hippo (c. 370 - c. 440) Saint Primael, ascetic, from Britain, he went to Brittany and became a hermit near Quimper (c. 450) Blessed child-saint Musa of Rome (5th century) Saint Carannog (Carantog, Caimach, Carnath), Welsh prince who aided St Patrick in the enlightenment of Ireland (5th century)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Καραντόκιος ὁ πρίγκιπας. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Fidolus (Phal), Abbot at Isle-Aumont, south of Troyes (c. 540 - 549)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ὅσιος Φιδωλός. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. FIDOLUS, AB. (A.D. 549.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. p. 216. Saint Germerius, Bishop of Toulouse in France for fifty years (560) Saint Brendan the Navigator, abbot of Clonfert (c. 577)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ὅσιος Βρενδανὸς ὁ Ἀναχωρητής. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. BRENDAN, AB. OF CLONFERT. (A.D. 577.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 217-223. Saint Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans (581)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Δομνόλος. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Carantoc, an abbot who founded the church of Llangrannog in Wales (6th century)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ὅσιος Καραντόκιος. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. CARANTOG, AB. (6TH CENT.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fifth: May. London: John C. Nimmo, 1898. pp. 215-216. Saint Honoratus of Amiens, the seventh Bishop of Amiens (c. 600)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Ὀνωράτος Ἐπίσκοπος Ἀμιένης. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Saint Annobert (Alnobert), a monk at Almenêches, consecrated Bishop of Séez in France (c. 689) Saint Franchy (Francovæcus), a monk at St Martin de la Bretonnière in France, later a hermit in the Nivernais, Diocese of Nevers (7th century)

Post-Schism Orthodox saints

Saints Cassian (1537) and Laurence (1548), disciples of Venerable Cornelius of Komel, Abbots of Komel ("Korneliev" Monastery), Vologda.Great Synaxaristes: Οἱ Ὅσιοι Κασσιανὸς καὶ Λαυρέντιος. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. New Hieromartyr Teodor (Nestorović) of Vršac, Bishop of Vršac in Banat, Serbia (1594)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεόδωρος ὁ Ἱερομάρτυρας Ἐπίσκοπος Βρσάκ. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. New Martyr Nicholas of Metsovo, at Trikala, whose relics are at Meteora (1617)Hieromonk Makarios of Simonos Petra (Ed.). THE SYNAXARION: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church: VOLUME FIVE - May, June. Transl. from the French by Mother Maria (Rule) and Mother Joanna (Burton). Holy Convent of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Ormylia (Chalkidike), 2005. pp. 184-186. НИКОЛАЙ МЕЦОВСКИЙ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 5, 2026.

New martyrs and confessors

Venerable Hieromonk Matthew of Yaransk the Wonderworker ( 'Mitrophan Kuzmich Zvetsov' ) (1927)May 29 / May 16. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow). МАТФЕЙ ЯРАНСКИЙ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 5, 2026. New Martyr Vukasin of Klepci, in Hercegovina, under the Ustashi terrorists (1943)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Βουκασίνος ὁ Ὁσιομάρτυρας. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. ВУКАШИН ЯСЕНОВАЦКИЙ. Открытая православная энциклопедия "Древо" (Open Orthodox Encyclopedia "The Tree") Retrieved: March 5, 2026.

Other commemorations

Foundation of the church of Saint Euphemia, near the Neorion (port facilities), by the Dolmabahçe Palace of Constantinople.Great Synaxaristes: Μνήμη Ἁγίας Εὐφημίας πλησίον τοῦ Νεωρίου. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Uncovering of the relics (1545) of Saint Ephraim, Abbot of Perekop, Wonderworker of Novgorod (1492)Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἐφραὶμ ὁ ἐκ Ρωσίας. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Commemoration of Saint Macarius (Notaras) of Corinth (1805) in the village of Myloi, Samos island.Great Synaxaristes: Ὁ Ἅγιος Μακάριος ὁ Νοταρᾶς Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Κορίνθου. 16 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

Icon gallery

Notes

References

Sources May 16/29. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU). May 29 / May 16. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow). May 16. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome. May 16. The Roman Martyrology. Greek Sources Great Synaxaristes: 16 ΜΑΪΟΥ. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ. Συναξαριστής. 16 Μαΐου. ECCLESIA.GR. (H ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ). Russian Sources 29 мая (16 мая). Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru). 16 мая (ст.ст.) 29 мая 2013 (нов. ст.). Русская Православная Церковь Отдел внешних церковных связей. (DECR).