September 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

The Eastern Orthodox cross

September 14 - Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar - September 16

All fixed commemorations below celebrated on September 28 by Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar.[note 1]

For September 15th, Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar commemorate the Saints listed on September 2.

Feasts

• Afterfeast of the Exaltation of the Cross.[1][2][3]

Saints

• Martyrs Maximus,[4][5] Theodotus, and Asclepiodota, of Adrianopolis (305-311)[1][3][6] (see also: September 17)
• Holy Two Virgin-Martyrs, by the sword.[7]
• Martyr Porphyrius the Mime, of Caesarea (361)[1][5][8][9][note 2] (see also: November 4)
• Great-martyr Nicetas the Goth and those with him (372)[1][3][5][11][12][note 3][note 4]
• Saint Joseph, Abbot of Alaverdi Monastery in Georgia (570)[1][3][13][14][15]
• Venerable Philotheos the Presbyter of Asia Minor, Wonderworker (10th century)[1][5][16][17]
• Venerable Sabinus, a bishop who became a monastic.[18]

Pre-Schism Western saints

• Saint Nicomedes, by tradition he was a priest martyred in Rome, perhaps under Domitian (c. 90)[19][note 5]
• Saint Valerian, a companion of St Photinus (Pothinus) of Lyons in France (178)[19][note 6][note 7]
• Saint Albinus (Aubin, Alpin), Bishop of Lyons (c. 390)[10][19][note 8]
• Saint Mamilian of Palermo, Bishop of Palermo in Sicily (460)[19][note 9]
• Saint Aprus (Aper, Apre, Epvre, Evre), Bishop of Toul (507)[10][19][note 10]
• Saint Leobinus (Lubin), Abbot of Brou, then Bishop of Chartres (c. 556)[10][19][note 11]
• Saint Hernin (Hernan), a hermit in Brittany at a place called Loc-Harn after him (6th century)[19][note 12]
• Saint Merinus (Merin, Merryn, Meadhran), abbot of Paisley Abbey (c. 620)[14][19][note 13]
• Saint Aichardus (Aicard, Achard), Abbot of St Benedict's at Quinçay near Poitiers, then Abbot of Jumièges (c. 687)[10][19][note 14]
• Saint Ritbert, monk and abbot of a small monastery in Varennes in France (c. 690)[19]
• Saint Ribert, Monk and Abbot of Saint-Valèry-sur-Somme in France (7th century)[19][note 15]
• Saints Emilas and Jeremiah, two young men, the former of whom was a deacon, imprisoned and beheaded in Cordoba in Spain under the Caliph Abderrahman (852)[19][note 16]

Post-Schism Orthodox saints

• Venerable Meletios, founder of the Monastery of Sergius.[5][21][note 17]
• Venerable Nicetas, Bishop of Chytri, near Kythrea, in Cyprus.[5][22][note 18]
• Saint Symeon of Thessaloniki, Archbishop of Thessaloniki (1429)[1][3][5][14][23]
• Saint Nicetas, disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh and founder of the Theophany Monastery in Kostroma (15th century)[1]
• Saints Bessarion I (1490-1499) and Bessarion II (1527-1540),[24] Metropolitans of Larissa.[1][5][14][25][note 19][note 20]
• Saint Joseph the New of Partoёs, Metropolitan of Timișoara, Romania (1656)[1][14][26]
• Saint Gerasimos the New, founder of the sacred monastery of the Holy Trinity in Sourvia, near Makrinitsa (c. 1740)[1][5][27][28]
• New Martyr John of Crete, at New Ephesus (1811)[1][5][29][30]

New martyrs and confessors

• New Hieromartyr John Ilinsky, Priest (1918)[3][14][31]
• Virgin-martyr Eudokia Tkachenko (1918)[3][14][32]
• New Hieromartyrs Andrew Kovalev,[33] Gregory Konokotin,[34] Gregory Troitsky,[35] and John Yakovlev,[36] Priests (1921)[3][14]
• Venerable New Hiero-confessor Ignatius (Biryukov), Archimandrite, of the Aleksievo-Akatov Monastery in Voronezh (1932)[1][3][14][37]
• New Hieromartyr Demetrius Ignatenko, Priest (1935)[3][14][38]
• New Hieromartyrs John Borozdin,[39] Jacob Leonovich,[40] Peter Petrikov, and Nicholas Skvortsov, Priests (1937)[3][14]
• New Hieromartyr Nicholas Tsvetkov, Deacon (1937)[3][14]
• Martyrs Mary Rykov and Ludmila Petrov (1937)[3][14]

Other commemorations

• Uncovering of the relics of St. Acacius the Confessor, bishop of Melitene in Pisidia (251)[1][3][14][41][42][note 21]
• Icon of the Mother of God of Novonikita, carried by St Nicetas the Goth (372).[3][14][43]
• Uncovering of the relics of Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen (415)[1][3][14][44]

Icon gallery

• 
  Martyrs Maximus, Theodotus, and Asclepiodote, of Adrianopolis.
• 
  St. Porphyrius the Mime, of Caesarea.
• 
  Great-martyr Nicetas the Goth.
• 
  Great-martyr Nicetas the Goth.
• 
  St. Mamilian of Palermo, Bishop of Palermo.
• 
  St. Symeon of Thessaloniki, Archbishop of Thessaloniki.

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. "Also, St. Porphyrius, a comedian, who, in the presence of Julian the Apostate, being baptized in jest, and suddenly converted by the power of God, declared himself a Christian. Forthwith, by order of the emperor, he was struck with an axe, and thus crowned with martyrdom."[10]
3. "The same day, St. Nicetas, a Goth, who was burned alive for the Catholic faith, by order of king Athanaric."[10]
4. Name days celebrated today include:
   • Nicetas, Nikita (Νικήτας).
5. "At Rome, on the Nomentan road, the birthday of blessed Nicomedes, priest and martyr. As he said to those who would compel him to sacrifice: "I sacrifice only to the Omnipotent God who reigns in heaven," he was for a long time scourged with leaded whips, and thus went to our Lord."[10]
6. He succeeded in escaping from prison and reappeared at Tournus near Autun, where he again preached to the people. He was captured a second time and beheaded.
7. "In the diocese of Chalons, St. Valerian, martyr, who was suspended on high by the governor Priscus, and tortured with iron hooks. Remaining immovable in the confession of Christ, and continuing joyfully to praise Him, he was struck with the sword by order of the same magistrate."[10]
8. The successor of St Justus in Lyons in France between 381 and 390. He is said to have built the church of St Stephen and chosen it for his Cathedral.
9. He was exiled to Tuscany by the Arian King Genseric. His relics were eventually returned to Palermo.
10. Born near Trier in Germany, he became a very able and just lawyer. He gave up this profession to become a priest and in time became Bishop of Toul in France.
11. Born near Poitiers in France, he was the son of a peasant. Early in life he became a hermit, then a priest, Abbot of Brou and finally Bishop of Chartres.
12. "ST. HERNIN was one of the many Christians of Great Britain who took refuge in Brittany during the sixth century. He led a life of solitude entirely hidden from the world, but the miracles wrought at his tomb revealed his sanctity, and gained the veneration of the neighbouring population. A church was built over his sepulchre which still remains, and is known as Loc-Harn. Many relics of the Saint are preserved there and held in due reverence."[20]
13. A disciple of St Comgall at Bangor Abbey in Ireland.
14. Born in Poitiers in France, the son of an officer at the court of Clotaire II, early in life he became a monk at Ansion in Poitou. Here he spent thirty-nine years, later becoming Abbot of St Benedict's at Quinçay near Poitiers. Finally he succeeded St Philibert as Abbot of Jumièges, where there were nearly one thousand monks.
15. He may also have been a bishop in Normandy and Picardy. He is the patron of several churches near Rouen.
16. "At Cordova, the holy martyrs Emilas, deacon, and Jeremias, who ended their martyrdom in the persecution of the Arabs by being beheaded, after a long detention in prison."[10]
17. His memory is preserved in the Siniaitic Typikon (No. 1094, p. 35) as follows:

    • «Μηνὶ Σεπτεμβρίω ιε’, ἐκοιμήθη ὁ Ὅσιος πατὴρ ἡμῶν Μελέτιος καὶ κτήτωρ τῆς Μονῆς τοῦ Σεργίου».

    See Dimitrievski, Typikon II, p. 30.
18. His memory is referenced in John Hackett's "A History of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus" (1901).
19. Name days celebrated today include:
    • Bessarion (Βησσαρίων).
20. See: (in Greek) Βησσαρίων Λαρίσης. Βικιπαίδεια. (Greek Wikipedia).
21. His feast day is on March 31.

References

1. September 15/September 28. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU).
2. Afterfeast of the Elevation of the Cross. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
3. (in Russian) 15 сентября по старому стилю / 28 сентября по новому стилю. Русская Православная Церковь - Православный церковный календарь на 2025 год.
4. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Μάξιμος ὁ Μάρτυρας. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
5. (in Greek) Συναξαριστής. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ECCLESIA.GR. (H ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ).
6. Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
7. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Οἱ Ἁγίες Δύο Κόρες. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
8. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Πορφύριος ὁ μίμος. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
9. Martyr Porphyrius the Actor. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
10. The Roman Martyrology. Transl. by the Archbishop of Baltimore. Last Edition, According to the Copy Printed at Rome in 1914. Revised Edition, with the Imprimatur of His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons. Baltimore: John Murphy Company, 1916. pp. 283–285.
11. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Νικήτας ὁ Γότθος. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
12. Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
13. Venerable Joseph, Abbot of Alaverdi, Georgia. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
14. September 28 / September 15. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
15. Zakaria Machitadze (Archpriest). Lives of the Georgian Saints. First English Edition. St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 2006. pp. 331-332.
16. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Φιλόθεος ὁ Πρεσβύτερος καὶ θαυματουργὸς. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
17. St Philotheus the Presbyter in Asia Minor. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
18. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Σαβίνος. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
19. September 15. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
20. 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. p. 448.
21. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Μελέτιος. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
22. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Νικήτας Ἐπίσκοπος Χυτρῶν Κύπρου. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
23. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Συμεὼν Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Θεσσαλονίκης. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
24. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Βησσαρίων Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Λαρίσης. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
25. St Bessarion, Archbishop of Larissa. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
26. St Joseph the New of Partos the Metropolitan of Timishoara (Romania). OCA - Lives of the Saints.
27. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Γεράσιμος κτήτορας τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μονῆς Ἁγίας Τριάδος Σουρβίας. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
28. St Gerasimus. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
29. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Νεομάρτυρας. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
30. New Martyr John of Crete. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
31. (in Russian) ИОАНН. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
32. (in Russian) ЕВДОКИЯ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
33. (in Russian) АНДРЕЙ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
34. (in Russian) ГРИГОРИЙ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
35. (in Russian) ГРИГОРИЙ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
36. (in Russian) ИОАНН. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
37. (in Russian) ИГНАТИЙ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
38. (in Russian) ДИМИТРИЙ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
39. (in Russian) ИОАНН. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
40. (in Russian) ИАКОВ. Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
41. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Εὕρεσις Τιμίων Λειψάνων Ἁγίου Ἀκακίου ἐπισκόπου Μελιτινῆς. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
42. Uncovering of the relics St Acacius the Bishop of Melitene. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
43. Icon of the Mother of God of Novonikita. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
44. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Εὕρεσις Τιμίων Λειψάνων Ἁγίου Πρωτομάρτυρα Στεφάνου. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.

Sources

• September 15/September 28. Orthodox Calendar (PRAVOSLAVIE.RU).
• September 28 / September 15. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
• September 15. OCA - The Lives of the Saints.
• 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. 69.
• The Fifteenth Day of the Month of September. Orthodoxy in China.
• September 15. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
• The Roman Martyrology. Transl. by the Archbishop of Baltimore. Last Edition, According to the Copy Printed at Rome in 1914. Revised Edition, with the Imprimatur of His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons. Baltimore: John Murphy Company, 1916. pp. 283–285.
• 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. p. 448.

Greek Sources

• Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) 15 ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
• (in Greek) Συναξαριστής. 15 Σεπτεμβρίου. ECCLESIA.GR. (H ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ).
• (in Greek) 15/09/2025. Ορθόδοξος Συναξαριστής.

Russian Sources

• (in Russian) 28 сентября (15 сентября). Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
• (in Russian) 15 сентября по старому стилю / 28 сентября по новому стилю. Русская Православная Церковь - Православный церковный календарь на 2025 год.