Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Martyrology for February

The following are names, dates, and some prominent facts from the lives of Saints especially honored in the Byzantine Catholic Church. (Source: Annual Parish Calendar, Byzantine Seminary Press)

February

February 1

• St. Tryphon, Martyr AD 250

February 2

• Encounter of Our Lord With Simeon and Anna
  • One of the oldest Feasts of the Church, established in 4th century Jerusalem.

February 3

• Synaxis of Simeon
  • As promised by God, he lived to hold the Child Jesus in his arms.
  • The "Canticle of Simeon" is one of the most famous hymns in the Eastern Church, used at every Vespers service, every Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during the Great Fast, as well as on the Feast of the Encounter.
    • "Now you may dismiss your servant, O Lord, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared before the face of all people. A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel."
• Synaxis of St. Anna, Prophetess
  • A widow, she was consecrated and remained in service at the Temple for 54 years.
  • At age 84, she, together with Simeon, held the Child Jesus in her arms.

February 4

• Venerable Isidore of Pelusium, AD 450
  • He founded a monastery in Pelusium, and was held in great esteem as a theologian and guide of souls.

February 5

• St. Agatha, Martyr. Suffered death in prison AD 250

February 6

• Venerable Bukolus, Bishop of Smyrna.
  • Was appointed Bishop by St. John the Evangelist.

February 7

• Venerable Parthenius, Bishop of Lampsachia. AD 318
• Venerable Luke of Helladia

February 8

• St. Theodore the Great, Great Martyr
  • He was a general in the army of Emperor Licinius.
  • Suffered death at Heracles in Thrace in AD 318
• St. Zacharius, Prophet. BC. 520

February 9

• St. Nicephorus, Martyr
  • A Syrian Christian, took the place of Sapricius who apostatised before a heathen judge, and was put to death in AD 260

February 10

• St. Charalampias, Martyr. AD 203

February 11

• St. Blase, Bishop-Martyr. Beheaded AD 316

February 12

• St. Meletius, Archbishop of Great Antioch
  • He was elected to the Patriarchal See in AD 360, but within a month was sent into exile by Emperor Constantius.
  • Reinstated in AD 378, he held a council of 150 Bishops, and took a prominent part in the Council of Constantinople in AD 380.
• St. Marina, Virgin
  • In male attire, she lived in a monastery to the year AD 440

February 13

• Venerable Martinian, Hegumen-Abbot. AD 415
• SS. Zoe & Photina, Venerable Women

February 14

• Venerable Auxentius, Hegumen-Abbot.
  • He was a soldier and bodyguard of Emperor Theodosius the Younger.
  • He defended the Faith at the time of the Council of Chalcedon, AD 451.
• Death of St. Cyril in Rome, AD 869
  • Together with his brother, St. Methodius, is known as the Apostle to the Slavs
  • The old Slavic alphabet – Cyrillic – is ascribed to him.
    • Using Cyrillic, he translated many Church books from Greek into the Old Church Slavonic language.

February 15

• St. Onesimus, Disciple of St. Paul
  • He became Bishop of Ephesus following St. Timothy, and died a Martyr in Rome.
• St. Paphnutius, Hermit in Egypt, & his daughter, Euphrosyne.

February 16

• SS. Pamphilius, Valentine, Paul, Seleucus, Porphyrus, Julian, & Theodulus, Martyrs
• The Five Martyrs of Egypt: Elias, Jeremias, Isaias, Samuel, and Daniel
• Venerable Flavianus, Archbishop of Constantinople. Died of ill treatment in AD 450

February 17

• St. Theodore of Tyre, Great Martyr. Burned to death AD 306.
• St. Mariamna, Sister of the Apostle Philip

February 18

• St. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome. Died in AD 461
  • Like St. Cyril of Alexandria, taught the unity of the divinity and person of Christ
  • Saved Rome from invasion by Attila the Hun.

February 19

• St. Archippus, Disciple of St. Paul
  • Was the first Bishop of the Colossians.
  • Traditionally, it is believed he was stoned to death under Emperor Nero.
• SS. Maxim, Theodot, Isychus, & Asklepiodotus, Martyrs

February 20

• Venerable Leo, Bishop of Catania, in Sicily. Died 780.
  • By his many miracles, he became known as "Wonder-worker"
• St. Sadok, Priest-Martyr
  • Together with 128 other Christians, he was put to death by King Sapor of Persia in AD 345.
• St. Agatho, Venerable Pope of Rome. Died in AD 682.

February 21

• Venerable Timothy, Hermit.
• St. Eustacius, Archbishop of Antioch. Died in AD 337
  • He assisted at the First Council of Nicaea, defending the Faith against the Arian Heresy in both word and writing.

February 22

• Finding of the Relics of Martyrs in Eugenia.
• Venerable Peter, Monk, and Athanasius, Martyrs.
  • Both died at the hands of the Iconoclasts in AD 735.

February 23

• St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr. Burned to death in AD 166

February 24

• First & Second findings of the Head of John the Forerunner & Baptist
  • The first finding was in the home of King Herod by two monks, who then brought the head to the city of Emmesia.
  • The second finding was much later, in AD 431 during the reign of Emperor Marcianus.

February 25

• St. Tharasius, Archbishop of Constantinople. Died in AD 806
  • Opposed the Iconoclasts, and denounced the vices of the Byzantine Princes.
  • He is also known as a "Father of the Poor".

February 26

• St. Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza. Died in AD 420
  • He sold all of his possessions, distributing the proceeds to the poor.
• St. Sebastian, one of the most renowned of the Roman Martyrs.
  • He was an officer in the Imperial Army and a favorite of Emperor Diocletian.
  • Upon becoming a Christian, he was made a target of the archers in AD 288.
• St. Photina of Samaria, Martyr.
  • Tradition identifies her as the Samaritan Woman with whom Jesus spoke at Jacob's Well.

February 27

• Venerable Procopius, Confessor and Monk. Died in about AD 740.
  • Famous for his resistance at Constantinople to the decree of Leo III, who ordered the destruction of icons.

February 28

• Venerable Basil, Confessor and co-faster with Venerable Procopius.
  • Was also a resistor of the decree of Leo III.

February 29

• Venerable Cassian. AD 431