April 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

An Eastern Orthodox cross

April 19 - Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar - April 21

All fixed commemorations below are observed on May 3 by Eastern Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar.^{[note 1]}

For April 20th, Orthodox Churches on the Old Calendar commemorate the Saints listed on April 7.

Saints

• Apostle Zacchaeus of the Seventy, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, he who was called down from the Sycamore tree by Jesus, according to the Gospel of Luke (1st century)^{[1][2][3][4][note 2]}
• Martyrs Acindinus, Antoninus, Victor, Zenon, Zoticus, Theonas, Caesareus, Severian and Christophoros (284-305)^{[3][5][6][note 3]} (see also: April 18 - Slavic)
• Venerable Theodore Trichinas ("the Hair-Shirt Wearer"), hermit near Constantinople (400)^{[1][3][8][9][note 4]}
• Saint Theotimus, Bishop of Tomis in Moesia (Lesser Scythia) (407)^{[1][10][11][12][note 5]}
• Blessed Gregory (593)^[13] and Anastasius I (599),^[13][14] Patriarchs of Antioch.^[1][15]
• Hieromartyr Anastasius II, Patriarch of Antioch (609)^{[1][3][15][note 6]}
• Venerable Anastasius Sinaita, Abbot of the Monastery of St. Catherine at Sinai (c. 700)^{[1][13][15][17]} (see also: April 21)
• Venerable Ioannis the Palaiolavritis ("of the Old Lavra"), at St. Chariton's Monastery, in the Judean Desert.^[3][18] (see also: April 19)

Pre-Schism Western saints

• Martyrs Sulpicius and Servilian, martyrs in Rome who were beheaded under Trajan (c. 117)^{[19][note 7]}
• Saints Marcellinus of Embrun,^[20] Vincent and Domninus, born in North Africa, they went to France and preached in the Dauphiné (c. 374)^{[19][note 8][note 9]}
• Saint Marcian of Auxerre, a monk at the Monastery of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Auxerre (c. 470)^[7][19]
• Saint Cædwalla of Wessex (Cadwalla), King of the West Saxons (689)^{[1][15][19][21][note 10]}
• Saint Gundebert (Gumbert), monk-martyr (8th century)^{[19][note 11]}
• Saint Harduin, a monk at Fontenelle Abbey in France (749), then a hermit who copied writings of the Fathers (811)^[19]
• Saint Hugh of Anzy-le-Duc, a monk at Saint Savin (c. 930)^{[19][note 12]}

Post-Schism Orthodox saints

• Venerable Saints Athanasius (1380)^[22] and Ioasaph (1422)^[23] of Meteora, Abbots.^[1][3]
• Venerable Alexander of Oshevensk, founder of Oshevensk Monastery, Arkhangelsk (1479)^{[1][13][15][24][25][note 13]}
• Child-Martyr Gabriel of Zabludov (Gabriel of Slutsk) (1690)^{[1][13][15][26][27][28]}

New martyrs and confessors

• New Hiero-Confessor Theodosius (Ganitsky), Bishop of Kolomna (1937)^{[1][13][15][note 14]}

Other commemorations

• "Cyprus" (392)^{[13][note 15]} and "Keepiazh" (Kipyazha) Icons of the Mother of God.^[15][30]
• Translation of the relics (1991) of St. Nikolai (Velimirovich), Bishop of Ochrid and Zhicha (1956) from America to Serbia.^{[1][15][31][note 16]}
• Repose of Schemamonk Ignatius of St. Nicephorus Monastery in Olonets (1852)^[1]

Icon gallery

• 
  Zacchaeus's sycamore fig in Jericho, contained in the grounds of the Russian Museum.
• 
  Venerable Anastasius Sinaita, Abbot of the Monastery of St. Catherine at Sinai.
• 
  Venerable Alexander of Oshevensk, founder of Oshevensk Monastery, Arkhangelsk.
• 
  Child-Martyr Gabriel of Zabludov (Gabriel of Slutsk).
• 
  Saint Nikolaj Velimirović.

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. Name days celebrated today include:
   • Zacchaeus (Ζακχαῖος).
3. "The same day, the holy martyrs Victor, Zoticus, Zeno, Acindinus, Caesareus, Severian, Chrysophorus, Theonas, and Antoninus, who suffered martyrdom after undergoing various trials."^[7]
4. "The same day, St. Theodore, confessor, surnamed Trichinas, from the rough hair garment which he wore. He was renowned for many miracles, but especially for his power over the demons. From his body issues a liquid which imparts health to the sick."^[7]
5. "At Tomis, in Scythia, St. Theotimus, bishop, whose great sanctity and miracles procured him the veneration of unbelieving barbarians."^[7]
6. "Sainted Anastasias II, Patriarch of Antioch, entered upon the throne after the holy Patriarch Anastasias I the Sinaite (561-572; 593-599). He governed the Church for 10 years and was killed in 609 by Jews, – when emperor Phocas (602-610) issued an edict, forcing all to accept baptism."^[16]
7. "AT Rome, the holy martyrs Sulpicius and Servilian, who were converted to the faith of Christ by the discourses and the miracles of the holy virgin Domitilla. Having refused to sacrifice to the idols, they were beheaded by Anian, prefect of the city, in the persecution of Trajan."^[7]
8. Born in North Africa, they went to France and preached in the Dauphiné. St Marcellinus was consecrated first Bishop of Embrun by St Eusebius of Vercelli. The relics of the three saints are venerated in Digne in the Alps.
9. "At Embrun, in France, St. Marcellin, first bishop of that city, who by divine inspiration came from Africa with his holy companions Vincent and Domninus, and converted to the faith of Christ the greatest portion of the inhabitants of the maritime Alps, by his preaching and the wonderful prodigies, which he still continues to work."^[7]
10. A King of Wessex in England, he was a cruel and cunning pagan. He was converted and went to Rome, where he was baptised by Pope Sergius and died in the white robe of baptism.
11. He married St Bertha of Val d'Or and was the brother of St Nivard. He separated from his wife, became a monk, went to Ireland and was martyred there by heathen.
12. Born in Poitiers in France, he became a monk at Saint Savin. Later he restored monastic life in several monasteries. He reposed at Anzy-le-Duc.
13. See: (in Russian) Александро-Ошевенский монастырь. Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
14. See: (in Russian) Феодосий (Ганицкий). Википедии. (Russian Wikipedia).
15. "The Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God appeared in the year 392 on the island of Cyprus and was situated in a monastery built on the place of its appearance. The celebration of this icon is done also on 9 July and on the day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles."^[29]
16. His feast day is celebrated on March 5.

References

1. April 20 / May 3. Orthodox Calendar (pravoslavie.ru).
2. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Ζακχαῖος ὁ Ἀπόστολος. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
3. (in Greek) Συναξαριστής. 20 Απριλίου. ecclesia.gr. (H Εκκλησια Τησ Ελλαδοσ).
4. Apostle Zacchaeus. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
5. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Οἱ Ἅγιοι Ἀκίνδυνος, Ἀντωνίνος, Βίκτωρ, Ζήνωνος, Ζωτικός, Θεωνᾶς, Καισάριος, Σεβηριανὸς καὶ Χριστόφορος οἱ Μάρτυρες. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
6. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "SS. Victor, Zoticus and Companions, MM. (A.D. 303.) (A.D. 303.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fourth: April. London: John C. Nimmo, 1897. p. 250.
7. 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. 110-111.
8. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Θεόδωρος ὁ Τριχινᾶς. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
9. Venerable Theodore Trichinas “the Hair-Shirt Wearer” and Hermit Near Constantinople. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
10. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεότιμος Ἐπίσκοπος Ρουμανίας. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
11. St Theotimus the Bishop of Lesser Scythia. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
12. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. Theotimus, B. of Tomi. (Beginning of 5th Cent.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fourth: April. London: John C. Nimmo, 1897. p. 251.
13. (in Russian) 20 апреля (ст.ст.) 3 мая 2013 (нов. ст.). Русская Православная Церковь Отдел внешних церковных связей.
14. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἀναστάσιος ὁ Σιναΐτης Ἐπίσκοπος Ἀντιοχείας. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
15. May 3 / April 20. Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
16. Sainted Anastasias II, Patriarch of Antioch. Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
17. Venerable Anastasius the Abbot of Sinai. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
18. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Παλαιολαυρίτης. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
19. April 20. Latin Saints of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Rome.
20. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (M.A.). "S. Marcellinus, B. of Embrun. (4th Cent.)." In: The Lives of the Saints. Volume the Fourth: April. London: John C. Nimmo, 1897. p. 251.
21. 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. 168-169.
22. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀθανάσιος ὁ Μετεωρίτης. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
23. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἰωάσαφ ὁ Μετεωρίτης. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
24. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ὅσιος Ἀλέξανδρος ἐκ Ρωσίας. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
25. Venerable Alexander the Abbot of Oshevensk. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
26. April 20 - Child Saint of Poland – Martyr Gabriel of Zabludov Archived 2016-04-05 at the Wayback Machine. ROCA - Orthodox America.
27. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Ὁ Ἅγιος Γαβριὴλ ὁ Μάρτυρας. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
28. Childmartyr Gabriel of Bialystok. OCA - Lives of the Saints.
29. The Cypriot Icon of the Mother of God. Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
30. The Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of Western Europe and the Americas. St. Hilarion Calendar of Saints for the year of our Lord 2004. St. Hilarion Press (Austin, TX). p. 30.
31. Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) Μετακομιδὴ Τιμίων Λειψάνων Ἁγίου Νικολάου Ἐπισκόπου Ἀχρίδος καὶ Ζίτσης. 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.

Sources

• April 20 / May 3. Orthodox Calendar (pravoslavie.ru).
• May 3 / April 20. Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church (A parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow).
• April 20. OCA - The Lives of the Saints.
• The Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of Western Europe and the Americas. St. Hilarion Calendar of Saints for the year of our Lord 2004. St. Hilarion Press (Austin, TX). p. 30.
• April 20. 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. 110–111.
• 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. 168–173.

Greek Sources

• Great Synaxaristes: (in Greek) 20 Απριλίου. Μεγασ Συναξαριστησ.
• (in Greek) Συναξαριστής. 20 Απριλίου. ecclesia.gr. (H Εκκλησια Τησ Ελλαδοσ).

Russian Sources

• (in Russian) 3 мая (20 апреля). Православная Энциклопедия под редакцией Патриарха Московского и всея Руси Кирилла (электронная версия). (Orthodox Encyclopedia - Pravenc.ru).
• (in Russian) 20 апреля (ст.ст.) 3 мая 2013 (нов. ст.). Русская Православная Церковь Отдел внешних церковных связей.