A SERVICE TO ALL SAINTS OF BRITAIN

AN ENGLISH ORTHODOX CALENDAR

A DEATHBED PROPHECY OF KING EDWARD THE CONFESSOR

 

 

The writing of services for Western Orthodox Saints was first encouraged, in modern times, by the recently glorified St. John Maximovich, while he was archbishop of Western Europe for the Russian Church Abroad (see Blessed John the Wonderworker Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1987, pp. 99-102). This service was composed in response to a request by St. John's successor, Archbishop Anthony of Geneva, when he was in London in October, 1976. It is modelled on the Service to All Saints of Russia; and we suggest that, if approved by the local Hierarch, it could be chanted, like the latter service, on the Second Sunday after Pentecost.

The land of Britain produced Saints to the glory of God for an approximately 1000-year period, from the apostolic age to the Norman Conquest in 1066-70, when the traditions of British Orthodoxy were overthrown, the relics of many of the saints were destroyed, and Roman Catholicism was imposed on the British peoples at the edge of the sword. According to a prophecy of the nineteenth-century Greek Saint Arsenios of Paros, the Church in the British Isles will not prosper again until her native saints are again venerated. This service is therefore offered as a humble mite towards the rebuilding of the Church of Christ in the British land.

The Saints commemorated in this service are mainly Celts and Anglo-Saxons, with several Italians, two Frenchmen, two Danes, one Greek and one Persian. Towards the middle of the tenth century, the whole of England was united in a single State which was Orthodox in faith and in communion with other Orthodox States in both East and West, a fact that was reflected in the compiling of several English calendars of Saints. Therefore a calendar of the Western Saints known to have been commemorated in the English Church before the Norman Conquest, together with a prophecy of King Edward the Confessor, is appended after the service.

May 30 / June 12, 1995

Day of the Holy Spirit.

The Orthodox Foundation of St. Michael, Guildford.

 

 

 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of goodwill, because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died that it might not reign in heaven alone - even He by Whose death we live, by Whose weakness we are made strong, through Whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we know not, by Whose gift we find them whom without knowing we sought."

St. Gregory the Great, pope of Rome and apostle of the English,

to St. Augustine, first archbishop of Canterbury.

 

 

"Although this bitter sorrow tortures our heart, nevertheless a certain triumphant, exultant joy softens and quiets our grief as we recall the wondrous - nay, the ineffable - grace of God and render thanks that the English people were found worthy, foreigners though they are, to send out this gifted student of heavenly learning, this noble soldier of Christ, with many pupils well taught and trained, to far-off spiritual conflicts and for the salvation of many souls through the grace of Almighty God... Wherefore, in our general synod at which we took counsel together regarding those other matters which we have briefly set forth to your Holiness, we decided to celebrate annually the day of his martyrdom and of the company who perished with him. We desire him to be our especial patron, together with St. Gregory and St. Augustine, and we surely believe that he is such before Christ our Lord, Whom he so loved in his life and so glorified in his death as to be worthy of His grace."

Archbishop Cuthbert of Canterbury to Bishop Lullus of Mainz,

on the martyrdom of St. Boniface, enlightener of Germany.

Vespers

At Lord, I have cried... four verses of the Sunday, then of the Saints:

Tone 1:

Come, let us praise the Saints of Britain: holy Monks and Nuns, Hierarchs and Princes, Martyrs, Hieromartyrs and Wonderworkers, both named and unnamed. For by their deeds and words and various gifts, they became truly holy, and God has glorified even their tombs with miracles. And now as they stand in the presence of Christ Who glorified them, they pray earnestly for us who with love celebrate their radiant feast.

Tone 2:

With beautiful chanting let us praise the divinely wise holy Hierarchs of Britain, bright adornment of the Church of Christ, crowns of the priesthood, models of piety, unfailing sources of divine healing, channels of spiritual gifts, rivers abundant in miracles gladdening the land of Britain with their flow, fervent helpers of pious Christians, for whose sake Christ subdued the uprisings of enemies and bestoweth on us great mercy.

Tone 8:

Earth exulteth and heaven rejoiceth, O holy monastic Fathers, as we praise your labours and spiritual struggles, your moral courage and purity of mind, for ye were not defeated by the law of carnal nature. O holy company and divine army, ye are truly the strength of our land.

Same tone:

Blessed, divinely-wise Princes of Britain, shining with Orthodox wisdom and radiant with the brightness of the virtues, ye illumine the gatherings of the faithful and dispel the darkness of the demons. Therefore we honour you as partakers of unfailing grace and untiring guardians of your inheritance.

Most blessed Martyrs of Christ, ye gave yourselves up as voluntary sacrifices, and have sanctified the land of Britain with your blood, and illumined the air by your death. And now ye live in the heavens in the unwaning Light, ever praying for us, O seers of God.

Ye enlightened the hearts of the faithful with your virtues, O righteous Martyr-Kings of Britain. For who will not be amazed on hearing of your infinite patience and humility, your meekness and gentleness to all, your mercifulness to those in sorrow and suffering, your speedy help to those in trouble, the calm haven you were to those at sea, and Godspeed to travellers. Ye beautifully anticipated every need, O wonderful Saints. And now ye have been crowned with unfading crowns by the hand of the Almighty God. Pray that our souls may be saved.

Glory... Tone 5:

Rejoice, wonderworking holy Hierarchs of Britain. For ye are the first of all our intercessors with the Lord, leaders of Orthodoxy and guides to the true Faith. Rejoice, every place and land and city that has reared citizens for the heavenly Kingdom. These Saints have appeared as lights for our souls, they have shone spiritually with the glow of miracles and works and portents to the ends of the earth, and now they pray to Christ for the salvation of our souls.

Both now...

Dogmatikon of the tone. O Joyful Light. Prokeimenon: The Lord is King... Readings: (1) Isaiah 43.9-14; (2) Wisdom 3.1-9; (3) Wisdom 5.15-16.3.

Litia. Tone 8:

Rejoice with us, O all ye choirs of Saints and Angels, and let us be spiritually united. Come and let us chant a song of thanksgiving to Christ our God. For behold, a countless host of our kinsmen who were well-pleasing to God standeth before the King of glory, and intercedeth in prayer for us. These are the beauty and pillars of the Orthodox Faith. These glorified the Church of God by their struggles and the shedding of their blood, by their teaching and by their works. These strengthened faith in Christ by signs and miracles. These shone from all parts of our land, and strengthened the Orthodox Faith there. And they emulated the Apostles and penetrated to other lands. Some adorned deserts and cities with holy monasteries, and lived the angelic life. Many suffered insults and injuries from the sons of the world and experienced a cruel death. And many undertook other labours of every kind. And all pray to the Lord to deliver our country from adversity, having given us an example of patience and the suffering of hardship.

Glory... Both now... Same tone:

All the noetic orders rejoice with us, and, united as a spiritual choir, they see the Lady and Queen of all, who is glorified by the faithful under many names. The souls of the righteous also rejoice, seeing visions of her praying in the air, stretching out her all-pure hands and asking for peace for the world, for the conversion of the land of Britain, and for the salvation of our souls.

Apostikha as for Sunday.

Glory... Tone 4:

As we celebrate today the annual commemoration of our holy kinsmen, let us worthily bless them. For they truly passed through all the Lord's Beatitudes: When stripped and poor, they became rich in spirit; being meek, they inherited the land of the meek; they wept, and were comforted; they hungered for justice and righteousness, and were satisfied; they showed mercy, and obtained mercy; being pure in heart, they saw God as far as it is possible; having been peacemakers, they were granted Divine adoption; having been tortured and persecuted for the sake of righteousness, they now exult and rejoice in heaven; and they pray fervently to the Lord to have mercy on our land.

Both now... Tone 5:

Let us now blow the trumpet of song, let us chant in harmony to the defender of our land, our Queen, the Mother of God: Rejoice, thou who hast crowned our country from ancient times with thy favour and showered thy grace upon it! Therefore our British Church brightly celebrateth thy most precious Protection and the memory of thy miracles. Take not thy mercy from us also now, O Lady. Look down on our sorrows and afflictions and raise us up by thy mighty intercession.

Nunc Dimittis. Holy God... Our Father...

Troparion to the Saints of Britain, tone 8:

As a beautiful fruit of the sowing of Thy salvation, the land of Britain offereth to Thee, O Lord, all the Saints that have shone in it. By their prayers keep the Church and our land in deep peace, through the Mother of God, O Most Merciful One.

Mattins

At the Lord is God, Sunday troparion twice. Glory... Troparion to the Saints of Britain.

Both now... Theotokion:

O Thou Who for our sakes wast born of a Virgin, and suffered crucifixion, O Good One, and despoiled death by death, and as God didst reveal the Resurrection: Despise not those whom Thou hast created with Thine own hand; show us Thy love for mankind, O Merciful One; accept the Theotokos who bore Thee and who intercedeth for us; and save Thy despairing people, O our Saviour.

After the Polyelaion, the Magnification:

We magnify, we magnify you, O all ye Saints of the land of Britain, and we honour your holy memory, for ye pray for us to Christ our God.

Select Psalm: Hear this, all ye nations; give ear, all ye that dwell upon the earth.

Then the Evlogitaria and the Hypakoe of the tone.

The Kathisma of the Saints, tone 8:

Illumined by the lightning-flashes of the Saints, as if entering a beautiful Paradise, we enjoy torrents of delight. And seeing their wonderful courage, we emulate their virtues, crying to the Saviour: By their prayers, O God, make us sharers in Thy Kingdom.

Tone 1:

Like a bright sun, like a brilliant morning star, the precious memory of the Saints who shone in the land of Britain has dawned, enlightening all of us, and warming our hearts to imitate their life and emulate their zeal.

Glory... Tone 8:

In memory of Thy Saints, O Lord, all British believers keep festival, the heavens are glad, and the ends of our land rejoice. By their prayers grant to our souls great mercy.

Both now... Same tone:

O All-Merciful Lord, Who lookest down from the heights and receivest the poor, visit us who are bedevilled by sin, and by the prayers of the Mother of God and all the British Saints, grant to our souls Thy great mercy.

Anabathmoi of the tone. Prokeimenon of the tone. Let every breath... Sunday Gospel. Psalm 50. Glory... Through the prayers of the Apostles... Both now... Through the prayers of the Theotokos... Jesus, having risen...

Canon to the Resurrection in the Sunday tone. Canon to the Mother of God.

Canon to the Saints of Britain, tone 8:

Ode 1.

Irmos: Let us, O people, send up a song to our marvellous God, who delivered Israel from slavery, and let us chant a song of victory and cry: We chant unto Thee, our only Lord.

Refrain: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to God for us!

Rejoice, O holy Apostles, who planted the staff of faith in our land! Rejoice, for the blood of your martyrdom has become the seed of Christian generations! Never cease to look with favour on us, your children. R.

Not fearing the tyrant's threats, thou wast scourged and beheaded for Christ's sake, O holy Protomartyr Alban. Together with Julius and Aaron and all the Martyrs of Britain, pray unceasingly for our souls. R.

O blessed Hieromartyr of Christ Augulus, together with your noble company, forget not thy fatherland: banish famine and oppression, and deliver all who hope in thee from civil war and all manner of sin. R.

Trained by the great Martin, thou didst emulate his missionary zeal in the Scottish land, O holy Bishop Ninian. And in Whithorn didst thou build the first stone church in Britain in his name, shining with the purity of the virtues. R.

Carried to Ireland by pirates in thy youth, thou didst return as her blessed Apostle, O Patrick, glorious fruit of the British Church. Pray that we who honour thee may be granted great mercy. R.

In Man wast thou the first to sow the Word, O holy Hierarch Germanus, bringing forth a rich harvest to Christ. With your fellow bishops Conon and Maughold, pray that we who honour thee may be granted great mercy.

Glory...

Thou wast a chronicler of the deeds of the martyrs, and chastiser of the sins of thy people, O wise Gildas. And as from sacred Glastonbury thou didst preach repentance, so now pray that we be granted remission of our sins.

Both now...

With the ranks of Angels and Archangels, O Lady, with the venerable and glorious Prophets, with the supreme Apostles and Martyrs, and with all the Saints, pray to God for us sinners who glorify thee in the land of Britain.

Ode 3.

Irmos: There is none holy as the Lord, and none righteous as our God. And all creation chants to Him: There is none righteous but Thee, O Lord.

Refrain: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to God for us!

Abandoning thy princely father's home, thou didst seek a hermit's life in the Devonian land, O Nectan, blessed Martyr of Christ. And with thy holy brothers and sisters thou dost reign now with Christ in glory. R.

A rock of faith wast thou, O Petroc, rejoicing of the Cornish Church. With Constantine, King, Monk and Martyr, and with all the Saints of Cornwall, do thou intercede for our souls. R.

Thou didst traverse the western lands, amazing all by thy virtue, O holy Samson. Filled with the Holy Spirit, thou didst drive out evil spirits from the hearts of men, and dost intercede for all who honour thee. R.

Thou didst assemble a great company of Monks, O David, glorious archpastor of Menevia. And raising thy voice on high thou didst silence the ragings of Pelagius' followers. Together with the holy Bishops Dyfrig and Deiniol, pray that we too may be delivered from all heresy. R.

From Ireland didst thou come, O dove of the cells, most glorious Columba, and all Scotland didst enlighten with thy miracles. And to England's Oswald didst thou appear after thy repose, promising glorious victory. With thy friend, the holy Hierarch Kentigern, do thou pray for our souls.

Glory...

O righteous Princes, Martyrs, Monks and Hierarchs of the Celtic lands! Ye did make the western desert a city, and by your wonderful lives ye have taught us to take the cross upon our shoulders and to follow Christ.

Both now...

Behold the time has come for the intervention of the Most Holy Mother of God, for scandals and temptations abound. Now is the time to offer our sighs to her, O brethren. So let us cry with all our heart: O Lady, our Queen, help thy people.

Kontakion to the Saints of Britain, tone 3:

Today the choir of Saints who pleased God in our land standeth before us in church and invisibly prayeth for us to God. With them the Angels glorify Him, and all the Saints of the Church of Christ keep festival with them. And they all pray together for us to the eternal God.

Oikos:

Ye have proved to be fruitful and beautiful trees of the Paradise of Eden, O Saints, producing fragrant flowers of teachings and the fruit of good works, by which our souls are nourished and our spiritual hunger is allayed. Come, then, let us have recourse to their protection, and let us bless them as the joy and adornment of our land, and as an example and model for our lives, for they have received incorruptible crowns from the eternal God.

Kathisma, tone 4:

Christ the Sun of Righteousness sent you as rays to enlighten the land of Britain, O servants of God who have sprung from our stock. So enlighten my darkened soul by your divine prayers, O blessed Saints of God.

Glory... Both now... Same tone:

Let us run, O ye faithful, to the divine and healing Cross of God our Saviour, Who was pleased to ascend upon it and by His Blood redeem us from slavery to the enemy. Then let us thankfully cry to Him: Save our Hierarchs and spiritual leaders, and protect all Thy people by thy precious Cross, and save our souls, for Thou are the Lover of men.

Ode 4.

Irmos: The Prophet with divine insight saw Thee, O Word, desiring to become incarnate of the overshadowed mountain, the only Mother of God, and with awe he praised Thy power.

Refrain: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to God for us!

Rejoice, O Augustine, great Gregory's most worthy son! Rejoice, Apostle of the English land! Rejoice, first Bishop of the Church of Christ at Canterbury, and our intercessor before the Throne of God! R.

Your sound hath gone out into all the land, destroying the worship of idols and planting the true Faith in the hearts of the English, O holy Hierarchs of Canterbury and York Laurence, Mellitus, Justus, Honorius, Deusdedit and Paulinus. R.

Armed with the power of the Cross, thou didst conquer Christ's enemies, O holy King Oswald. And remaining constant in prayer and almsgiving, thou didst merit a Martyr's crown. With the holy Martyr-Kings Edwin and Oswin, pray for our souls. R.

From Iona's blest isle didst thou come, O humble Aidan, and with the milk of thy teaching didst nourish the hearts of the English. With all the holy Saints of Lindisfarne, pray that we be granted remission of our sins. R.

Thou didst spurn a mortal bridegroom for the Immortal Bridegroom of our souls, O Eanswythe, first fruit of women's monasticism in the South. And now with your holy brothers Ethelbert and Ethelbricht, thou dost rejoice for ever in the heavens. R.

Of hell's dark abodes wast thou granted visions, and with fear didst thou confirm the faith of the people, O our holy Father Fursey. And with the holy Abbot Botulph and the righteous Bishop Felix thou didst plant the monastic life in East Anglia's land.

Glory...

Thou wast raised from the dead, O Virgin Winefrid, and to all didst show the Way and the Life. Together with the holy Beuno and all the Saints of Wales, cease thou never to pray for our souls.

Both now...

O Virgin Mother of God, hope of Christians, grant us also thine ancient mercies which our fathers enjoyed, and protect and keep us from all evil.

Ode 5.

Irmos: Having redeemed us from the darkness of the passions as from deepest night, grant that my spirit may greet the dawn of the daylight of Thy commandments, I pray, O Christ.

Refrain: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to God for us!

Strengthened in thine old age by the grace of God, from Tarsus didst thou come like a second Paul, O holy Hierarch Theodore. With thy companion, the holy Adrian, pray that Orthodox Christians may be preserved in unity. R.

Even after thy sacred repose, thine incorrupt body gushed forth healings for the faithful, O glorious Cuthbert. For thou wast great in asceticism and a faithful shepherd of thy flock, O bright light and intercessor for our land. R.

Like a pillar of fire thou didst shine in fen-girt Ely, O royal Virgin Etheldreda, wherefore thy body dost remain incorrupt even till now. With the holy priest Huna and thy holy sisters Sexburga, Withburga and Ermenhilda, pray for us all. R.

O holy Abbesses Hilda, Osith, Ethelburga and Werburga, having acquired abstinence and humility, wisdom, faith and perfect love, ye attained the Kingdom immovable. R.

A peacemaker wast thou, and glorious peace didst thou obtain from the King of Peace, O Erkenwald, great London's boast and holy hierarch. Do thou intercede for our souls.

Glory...

Thy tears in the wilderness brought forth fruit an hundredfold, O holy Father Guthlac, and by the weapon of thy prayers thou didst conquer demons and receive from heaven the grace to heal the diseases of those who honour thee.

Both now...

The choir of the holy ones and the souls of all the faithful bless thee, O most pure one, for above mind and understanding thou didst give birth to the Divine Word. And now again, O Lady and Queen, be a protection and defence for the land of Britain, and save us from all attacks of our enemies.

Ode 6.

Irmos: Receive me, O Lover of men, oppressed by many falls. And save me as I fall down before Thy compassion like the Prophet, O Lord.

Refrain: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to God for us!

O holy Mildred, coming from France thou didst impress thy seal on Thanet's shore, and wast taken up as a seal on the heart of the heavenly King. With thy holy sisters Mildburga and Mildgytha, pray for our souls. R.

Thou wast adorned with beauty of speech, O venerable Bede of Jarrow, for thou didst appear as a divinely writing scribe. As thou didst glorify the English Saints by thy words, so now has the Lord glorified thee. With thy holy Fathers Benedict and Ceolfrid, intercede for us now. R.

Thou didst contend well for the sacred canons, and didst enlighten the pagan darkness of Sussex, O Wilfrid. Wherefore, with the holy Hierarchs Chad and Cedd, Egwin and Aldhelm, Acca and Alcmund, we all honour thee. R.

To the Dutch thirsting from the drought of polytheism thou didst bring the Living Water to drink, O divinely wise Willibrord-Clement. Pray that to us may be given the sweet wine of contrition. R.

Having destroyed the temples of the idols, thou didst bring a multitude to the Faith of Christ, O Boniface, Enlightener of Germany. Wherefore with the holy Eoban and a company of thy disciples, thou wast counted worthy of a Martyr's crown. R.

Hearkening to the cry of your benighted kinsmen, ye did abandon all and go to the lands beyond the sea, O holy siblings Willibald, Wunebald and Walburga. Wherefore with the divine Leoba and Tecla, ye now rejoice in the heavens.

Glory...

From Ireland didst thou come, O holy Hierarch Fergus, bringing the grace of the Divine Word to the Scots. And with the righteous Fathers Drostan, Fillan and Maelrubba, thou didst bring forth a rich harvest of souls.

Both now...

O most holy Virgin, fervent intercessor for those who have recourse to thee and hope of those who trust in thee, see the oppression of thy people and show us a sign of thy mercy, O most pure one.

Kontakion for the Sunday.

Ode 7.

Irmos: On the plain of Deira, the tyrant once placed a furnace to punish the God-bearers, in which the three children praised the One God, crying: O God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Refrain: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to God for us!

Wearing the purple of your own blood, ye exchanged your sceptres for the Cross, O holy Passion-Bearers Ethelbert, Kenelm and Wistan. Wherefore the miracles at your tombs proclaim your innocence. R.

When the savage Northmen appeared off Britain's shores, ye offered yourselves as sweet-smelling sacrifices to Christ, O holy Hieromartyrs Adrian and Stalbrand. With Blaithmaic of Iona and all the Martyrs of the Viking yoke, pray for our souls. R.

In Winchester's royal city thou didst shine with the grace of humility, O holy Hierarch Swithun. Wherefore the Lord did exalt thee on the summit of high miracles many years after thy repose. R.

With the great Swithun ye appeared in glory, O holy Hierarchs Birinus and Birnstan. Wherefore the land of Wessex doth ever enjoy your protection. R.

Although the heathen transfixed thee with arrows, thou didst not renounce sweet Jesus, O King among Martyrs Edmund. Wherefore thy tongue did still speak after thy repose, and thy body was resplendent with the grace of incorruption. R.

On witnessing thy brother's heavenly glory, thou didst renounce the glory of the world, O blessed Edwold, and by thine ascetic struggles in the wilderness thou didst attain the Kingdom on high.

Glory...

In England's darkest hour thou didst reprove the righteous King Alfred and comfort him with thy sage counsel, O great among Priests Neot. And with the holy Grimbald, thou didst guide him in the restoration of Orthodoxy in our land, crying: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.

Both now...

Thou are the boast of Christians, O Lady, thou are a weapon against our enemies and a wall for those who have recourse to thee, O Queen. Let not thine enemies who praise not thee nor thy Son, O Mother of God, rise up against thy people. Do thou conquer them and save our souls.

Ode 8.

Irmos: Victors by Thy grace over tyrant and flame, the youths clung fast to Thy commandments and cried: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and praise and exalt Him above all to all ages.

Refrain: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to God for us!

As emulators of the apostles in labours and vigilance, ye have presided over the people of the Church, O holy Hierarchs Alphege and Oda. Wherefore we magnify you in psalms and hymns. R.

Counting all the splendour of thy royal inheritance as dung, thou didst press forward to the mark of a heavenly calling, O Virgin Edburga, perfect exemplar of the monastic life. R.

Having first mortified thy flesh by abstinence and labours, and having assembled a multitude of monks by thy teaching, thou hast appeared as a divine and all-sacred intercessor before the Trinity, O Dunstan, rock of Orthodoxy. R.

Being obedient to thy spiritual father Dunstan, thou didst win the prize of obedience in an innocent death, O holy Passion-Bearer King Edward. Wherefore thy shrine dost gush forth miracles of healing. R.

Ever guarding thyself with the sign of the Cross and pierced by Divine love, thou, O sacred Virgin Edith, didst wound with the arrows of abstinence him that wounded Eve. With your holy grandmother Elgiva and the Virgins Wulfhilda and Ethelfleda, pray for our souls. R.

Taking up prayer as a sword and shield, thou didst vanquish the pagan darkness, O Lide, blessed ascetic of the Scilly isles. And Norway's King Olaf didst thou convert by thy wisdom.

Glory...

Like unto Moses, the holy Hierarchs Ethelwold, Oswald, Yvo and Wulsin have ascended the cloudy mountain of passionlessness and have obtained the noetic law of grace, crying: Hymn the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all to all ages.

Both now...

Grant us help by thy prayers, O all-holy Mother of God. For troubles come upon us, sorrows multiply, and our enemies are arming themselves. But intercede for us and deliver us, O most pure one. Lay low the arrogance of our enemies and grant us victory, that all who do evil to thy servants may be put to shame.

Magnificat.

Ode 9.

Irmos: O Mother of God, perfection of virginity, thou exaltest with glorious chants the feasts that celebrate thy graces. And now even more on this day in thy virginal memory thou adornest with the mystic enlightenment of thy Word those who magnify thee.

Refrain: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to God for us!

For thy flock and country didst thou lay down thy life, O holy Hieromartyr Alphege. Wherefore from the Chief Shepherd didst thou worthily receive the highest accolade. As thou now rejoicest in the heavens, pray that our souls may be saved. R.

From sacred Glastonbury didst thou set out, O holy Hierarch Sigfrid, and didst make the savage Swedes gentle lambs of Christ by thy teaching. With the Martyr Ulfrid and thy martyred nephews, pray for our souls. R.

Having been bound and tortured, thou didst surrender thy pure soul into the hands of thy Creator, O holy Prince Alfred. Wherefore thy tomb was illumined by the grace of miracles. R.

As darkness descended upon the West, thou didst shine with the light of wisdom, O chaste King Edward, warning thy people of the wrath to come. Wherefore God preserved thy body in incorruption. R.

O holy Martyrs of the Latin yoke, ye did not fear the false pope's threats, nor bow your necks to the tyrant's rule. Pray that we ever remain steadfast in the Orthodox Faith. R.

O great Fathers and Mothers, named and unnamed, known and unknown, who have attained the heavenly Zion and have received great glory from God, ask for comfort and strength for us who are in trouble, raise up our fallen country, and receive from us as our gift this chant of thanksgiving.

Glory to Thee, O God, Most Holy Trinity!

O Most Holy Trinity, accept all the Saints who have pleased Thee in the land of Britain, receiving them as first-fruits and choice incense. And by their prayers keep our land from all harm.

Both now...

O Virgin, full of grace, the icons of whose countenance have enriched our cities and villages with signs of thy favour and goodwill, accept our thanksgiving, and deliver our homeland from all violent adversity. For we all magnify thee as a mighty protection of all Orthodox Christians.

Exapostilarion for the Sunday.

Glory... Then of the Saints:

Let us praise and extol in chants the unwaning lights of the land of Britain, the mystics and initiates of the Divine Word. And let us glorify Christ Who enlightened and loved them, and Who gave them as our helpers in trouble.

Both now...

Theotokion of the Sunday.

 

For the Praises, 4 of the Sunday, and 4 of the Saints,

tone 1:

Thou didst send down Thy Most Holy Spirit, O Lord, into the intelligent soul of Ethelbert, to know Thee, the One God in Trinity. Then, having enlightened the people entrusted to him, Thou didst bring them by faith into Thy Church: O our Redeemer, glory to Thee!

Tone 2:

Let us who have gathered together bless the lights of the land of Britain, the glorious Martyrs and holy Hierarchs, Monks and Righteous, and let us cry out to them: O all ye Saints of Britain, pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Verse: The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them.

O holy Fathers, ye were spiritual flowers of the land of Britain, our praise and strength and a calm haven for all. For of you our land boasteth, having acquired you as an inexhaustible treasure. And now though your bodily tongues are silent, yet miracles bear witness to the Lord Who glorified you. Pray to Him to grant our souls His great mercy.

Verse: Blessed are all they that fear Thee, O Lord, and walk in Thy ways.

 

Tone 4:

Having heard the call of the Gospel, and burning with apostolic zeal, ye rushed to instruct the unbelieving pagans, O divinely blessed hierarchs Patrick, Samson, Willibrord, Boniface and Sigfrid, pioneers of the enlightenment of the lands beyond the sea. Therefore with all the rest who laboured in the Gospel of Christ, ye are rightly called blessed.

Glory...

Eothinon.

Both now...

Most blessed art thou...

Great Doxology.

Liturgy

After the Entry, troparia of the Sunday and of the Saints, kontakion of the Sunday. Glory... Kontakion of the Saints. Both now... O unfailing intercessor of Christians. Prokeimenon of the Sunday, and of the Saints: Tone 7: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints. Apostle of the Sunday and of the Saints: Hebrews 11.33-12.2: Brethren, all the Saints by faith... Gospel of the Sunday and of the Saints: Matthew 4.25-5.12. Communion hymn: Praise the Lord... and of the Saints: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright.

AN ENGLISH ORTHODOX CALENDAR

This is a list of suggested additions to the calendar of the Orthodox Church from among the Saints of Western, especially English, origin who reposed before the West fell away from Orthodoxy. It is based mainly on pre-schism calendars of the English Church, and reflects the bias of those calendars towards English, French and Roman Saints; but the main Saints of other western countries are also included. With some exceptions, the commemorations of Saints who are already widely venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church are not included.

Also included in italics are several men and women for whose righteousness before God there is strong evidence but for whom there is only little or no record of veneration in pre-Conquest times, together with those who died resisting the authority of the false pope and king during and after the Conquest. The letters 'F' and 'S' are attached to Saints of the first and second rank, respectively, in the calendar known as the 'Bosworth Psalter', which was compiled at Canterbury after 988 and before 1023. All dates are for the ecclesiastical (old, Orthodox or Julian) calendar, which is thirteen days behind the secular (new, Papal or Gregorian) calendar. Thus September 1 (old calendar) is September 14 (new calendar). Where pre-Conquest dates of commemoration differ from post-Conquest dates, the pre-Conquest date is preferred; and where English dates of commemoration differ from those usual in Rome or the East, the English dates are preferred. Thus the Martyr-Prince Wistan is listed under January 1, not June 1, and the Venerable Bede under May 26, not May 27.

January

1. Martyr-Prince Wistan of Mercia (+849).

2. St. Munchin the Wise, bishop of Limerick (+7th c.).

2. St. Isidore, bishop of Seville (+636).

3. St. Genevieve, nun, of Paris (+512).

5. Hieromartyr Telesphorus, pope of Rome (+c. 136).

5. Translation of the relics of St. Rumon, bishop, to Tavistock (+6th c.).

5. Righteous Edward the Confessor, King of England (+1066).

7. St. Brannoc, monk, of Braunton (+6th c.).

7. St. Kentigerna, hermitess, of Inch Cailleach, Loch Lomond (+c. 735).

8. Martyrs Lucian and Julian, at Beauvais (+3rd century).

8. St. Severinus, abbot of Noricum, enlightener of Austria (+482).

8. St. Nathalan, layman, of Aberdeenshire (+678).

8. St. Pega, hermitess of Peakirk, sister of St. Guthlac (+719).

8. Righteous Edgar the Peaceable, King of England (+975).

8. St. Wulsin, bishop of Sherborne (+1002).

9. Translation of the relics of St. Judoc, hermit, to Winchester (+c. 668).

9. St. Adrian, abbot of St. Augustine's, Canterbury (+710) (F).

9. St. Fillan, abbot, of Perthshire (+early 8th c.).

12. St. Benedict Biscop, abbot of Wearmouth-Jarrow (+689).

13. St. Hilary, bishop of Poitiers (+ 368).

13. St. Remigius, bishop of Rheims (+533).

13. St. Kentigern, bishop of Glasgow (+612).

14. St. Felix, confessor, of Nola (+260).

15. St. Ita, abbess of Killeedy, 'Foster-mother of the Saints of Ireland' (+c. 570).

15. St. Maurus, abbot, disciple of St. Benedict (+6th c.).

15. St. Ceolwulf, king of Northumbria and monk of Lindisfarne (+764).

16. Hieromartyr Marcellus, pope of Rome (+309) (S).

16. St. Honoratus, archbishop of Arles (+429).

16. St. Fursey, abbot, of Peronne and Burgh Castle (+650).

17. St. Sulpicius, bishop of Bourges (+647).

18. St. Prisca, virgin, of Rome.

18. St. Deicola, abbot of Lure (+c. 625).

18. Righteous Martyr Ulfrid, in Sweden (+1028).

19. St. Branwalator, monk, of Jersey (+6th c.).

19 (or 24/7). Hieromartyr Blaithmaic, abbot and his company, at Iona (+825).

20. Martyr Sebastian and Hieromartyr Fabian, pope of Rome (+250) (S).

20. St. Fechin, abbot of Cong (+665).

21. Hieromartyr Fructuosus, bishop of Tarragona (+259).

21. Virgin-Martyr Agnes, at Rome (S).

22. Deacon-Martyr Vincent of Saragossa (+304) (S).

22. Righteous Berhtwald, bishop of Ramsbury (+1045).

23. Virgin-Martyr Emerentiana, at Rome (+c. 304).

23. St. Paulinus, bishop of Nola (+431).

24. Hieromartyr Felician, bishop of Foligno (+252).

25. The Conversion of the Holy Apostle Paul (S).

25. Hieromartyr Praejectus, bishop of Clermont (+676).

26. St. Conon, bishop of the Isle of Man (+648).

27. St. Julian, bishop of Le Mans.

27. Translation of the relics of St. Ethelfleda, abbess of Romsey (+c. 1000).

29. St. Gildas the Wise, priest-monk, of Glastonbury and Rhuys (+c. 570).

30. St. Bathildes, queen of France and nun of Chelles (+680).

31. St. Maedoc, bishop, of Ferns (+626).

February

1. St. Brigid, abbess of Kildare, patroness of Ireland (+c. 525).

1. St. Seiriol, abbot, of Anglesey (+6th c.).

2. St. Laurence, archbishop of Canterbury (+619).

3. Virgin-Martyr Ia, virgin, of St. Ives, Cornwall.

3. St. Werburga, abbess of Hanbury and Chester (+c. 700).

3. St. Anskar, bishop of Hamburg, enlightener of Denmark (+865).

4. St. Modan, abbot, of Stirling and Falkirk (+8th c.).

4. St. Liudhard, bishop, at Canterbury (+c. 603).

5. Virgin-Martyr Agatha, at Catania (S).

5. Righteous Martyr-Prince Alfred of England (+1036).

6. St. Vedast, bishop of Arras (+539).

6. St. Amand, bishop of Saint-Amand (+c. 675).

7. Hieromartyr Augulus, bishop of Augusta in Britain, and those with him: Anatolius,

Andreas, Ammon, Statian, Nepotian, Saturninus, Lucius and Saturna.

7. St. Ronan, bishop of Kilmaronen in Lennox (+8th c.).

7. St. Romuald, abbot, of Ravenna (+1027).

8. St. Kew, virgin, of Cornwall.

8. St. Cuthmann, hermit, of Steyning (+8th c.).

9. St. Teilo, bishop of Llandaff (+6th c.).

10. St. Scholastica, nun, of Plombariola, sister of St. Benedict (+543).

10. Righteous Trumwin, bishop of Abercorn (+704).

12. Virgin-Martyr Eulalia of Merida (+304).

12. St. Ethilwald, bishop of Lindisfarne (+740).

13. St. Modomnoc, abbot of Tibberaghny (+6th c.).

13. St. Huna, priest-hermit, of Huneya (+7th c.).

13. St. Ermenhilda, queen of Mercia and abbess of Ely (+c. 700).

13. Translation of the relics of St. Edward the Martyr (+979).

14. Hieromartyr Valentine, priest, at Rome (+3rd c.) (S).

15. St. Sigfrid, bishop of Vaxjo, apostle of Sweden (+1045).

16. Virgin-Martyr Juliana, at Naples (+early 4th c.).

17. St. Fintan, abbot of Clonenagh (+603).

17. St. Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne (+661).

21. Righteous Erkengota, nun of Faremoutier, daughter of St. Sexburga (+c. 660).

22. The Chair of the Holy Apostle Peter at Antioch (S).

23. St. Mildburga, abbess of Much Wenlock, sister of St. Mildred (+715).

25. Righteous Ethelbert of Kent, first English Christian king (+616).

25. St. Walburga, abbess of Heidenheim, sister of St. Winnebald (+779).

28. St. Romanus, abbot of Romainmoutier (+c. 460).

28. St. Oswald, archbishop of York (+992).

March

1. St. David, archbishop of Menevia in Wales (+589).

1. St. Swithbert, bishop, of Kaiserworth (+713).

2. St. Chad, bishop of Lichfield (+672).

3. St. Nonna (Non) of Altarnun, mother of St. David (+6th c.).

3. St. Winwaloe, abbot of Landevennec (+6th c.).

4. Righteous Owin, monk, of Lichfield (+c. 670).

4. Hieromartyrs Adrian and Stalbrand, bishops, and their companions, on the Isle of

May (+875).

5. St. Piran, hermit, of Perranporth (+c. 480).

5. St. Ciaran, bishop of Saighir (+c. 600).

6. St. Fridolin, missionary in Switzerland (+7th c.).

6. Translation of the relics of SS. Cyneswitha and Cyneburga, abbessess of Castor,

and St. Tibba, nun, of Ryhall (+c. 680).

6. Righteous Baldred, hermit of Bass Rock, Northumbria (+756).

7. Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas of Carthage (+203).

7. St. Enodoc, hermit, of Cornwall.

7. St. Eosterwine, abbot of Wearmouth-Jarrow (+686).

8. St. Senan, abbot of Scattery Island (+c. 544).

8. St. Felix, bishop of Dunwich, enlightener of East Anglia (+647).

8. Righteous Duthac, bishop in Ross (+1065).

9. Righteous Bosa, bishop of York (+705).

9 (or 10 or 11). Hieromartyr Constantine, king, priest-monk and martyr, in Kintyre (+576).

10. St. Kessog, bishop, of Monk's Island, Loch Lomond (+6th c.).

11. St. Oengus the Culdee, bishop, of Tallacht (+ 824).

11. Hieromartyr Eulogius, priest of Cordova, and Virgin-Martyr Leocritia (+859).

12. St. Paul Aurelian, bishop of Leon (+6th c.).

12. St. Gregory the Great, pope of Rome and apostle of the English (+604) (F).

12. St. Mura, abbot of Fahan (+early 7th c.).

12. St. Alphege 'the Bald', bishop of Winchester, spiritual father of St. Dunstan (+951).

16. St. Finan Lobur, abbot of Swords (+6th c.).

17. St. Patrick, archbishop of Armagh, enlightener of Ireland (+464).

18. St. Finan of Aberdeen (+c. 600).

18. St. Edward the Martyr, king of England (+979).

19. Martyr-Prince Alcmund of Northumbria (+c. 800).

20. St. Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne (+687) (F).

20. Righteous Herbert, priest-hermit of Derwentwater, (+687)

20. St. Wulfram, archbishop of Sens (+late 7th c.).

21. St. Lupicinus, abbot of Laucone (+c. 480).

21. St. Enda, abbot of the Aran islands, founder of Irish monasticism (+c. 530).

21. St. Benedict, abbot of Monte Cassino (+c. 550) (F).

23. St. Gwinear of Cornwall.

24. St. Macartan, bishop of Clogher (+c. 505).

24. St. Hildelitha, abbess of Barking (+c. 712).

26. St. Govan, hermit, of Pembrokeshire (+6th c.).

26. St. Rupert, bishop of Worms (+c. 710).

26. St. Liudger, bishop of Munster (+c. 809).

29. SS. Gundleus and Gladys, the parents of St. Cadoc (+6th c.).

29. Ordination of St. Gregory the Great, pope of Rome and apostle of the English.

30. Righteous Osburga, abbess of Coventry (+c. 1018).

April

1. St. Tewdric, prince and hermit, of Wales (6th c.).

1. St. Valery, abbot of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme (+620).

4. St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan (+397).

5. St. Derfel (Cadarn), monk, of Bardsey (6th c.).

7. (or 6) St. Goran (Vuron) of Cornwall.

9. St. Madrun (Materiana) of Cornwall (5th c.).

10. Martyrs Hedda, abbot, and 84 monks, at Peterborough (+869).

10. Martyrs Beocca, Hethor, and 90 monks, at Chertsey (+869).

11. St. Guthlac, priest-hermit of Crowland (+714). (F).

14. Martyrs Tiburtius, Valerian and Maximus, at Rome (S).

15. St. Paternus, bishop of Llanabadarn Fawr (+c. 500).

15. St. Ruadhan, abbot of Lothra (+c. 584).

16. St. Paternus, bishop of Avranches (+564).

17 (or 17/5). Hieromartyr Donan, abbot, and 52 monks, on the Isle of Eigg (+618).

18. St. Laserian (Molaise), abbot of Inishmurray (+639).

19. Hieromartyr Alphege, archbishop of Canterbury (+1012).

21. St. Beuno, abbot of Clynnog Fawr (+6th c.).

21. St. Ethilwald, hermit, of Farne (+699).

21. Translation of the relics of St. Ethilwald, bishop of Lindisfarne (+740).

21. St. Maelrubba, abbot of Applecross, enlightener of the Northern Picts (+c. 722).

22. Martyr Epipodius of Lyons (+177).

23. Killing of King Ethelbert of Wessex in battle against the pagans (+871).

23. Hieromartyr Adalbert, bishop of Prague (+997).

24. Martyr Alexander of Lyons (+177).

24. St. Mellitus, archbishop of Canterbury (+624) (S).

24. Translation of the relics of St. Wilfrid, bishop of York and Hexham (+709).

24. St. Egbert, abbot of Iona (+729).

24. St. Yvo, bishop, at St. Ives in Huntingdonshire.

26. Hieromartyr Anacletus, pope of Rome (+1st c.).

27. St. Maughold, bishop of the Isle of Man (+498).

28. Dedication of the church of the Martyr Vitalis at Rome (+3rd c.).

29. St. Endelienta, hermitess, of St. Endelion, sister of St. Nectan (+6th c.).

30. St. Erkenwald, bishop of London (+693).

May

1. St. Brioc, abbot of Saint-Brieuc (+6th c.).

1. St. Corentin, bishop, at Quimper (+6th c.).

1. St. Marcul, priest-monk, of Corbeny (+c. 558).

1. St. Asaph, bishop of Llanelwy (+early 7th c.).

1. Translation of the relics of St. Walburga, abbess of Heidenheim (+779).

3. St. Glywys (Gluvias), monk, of Cornwall.

5. St. Hilary, archbishop of Arles (+449).

5. St. Hydroc, monk, of Cornwall.

6. St. Edbert, bishop of Lindisfarne (+698).

7. St. John of Beverley, bishop of York (+721).

8. Martyr Victor, at Milan (+303).

8. Martyr Indract and his companions, at Shapwick (+c. 700).

8. St. Wiro, bishop of Utrecht (+c. 753).

10. Martyrs Gordian and Epimachus, at Rome (+c. 250) (S).

10. St. Conleth, bishop, at Kildare (+c. 520).

11. St. Tudy, abbot of Ile-Tudy (+6th c.).

11. St. Comgall, abbot of Bangor in Ireland (+c. 601).

12. Martyrs Pancras, Nereus and Achilles, at Rome (+early 4th c.) (S).

14. St. Carthage, bishop of Lismore (+637).

16. Hieromartyr Peregrine, bishop of Auxerre (+c. 261).

16. St. Carantoc, monk, of Carhampton and Cornwall (+6th c.).

16. St. Brendan 'the Navigator', abbot of Clonfert (+c. 575).

17. St. Madron, monk, of Cornwall (+6th c.).

18. St. Elgiva, queen of England and abbess of Shaftesbury (+10th c.).

19. St. Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury (+988) (F).

20. Martyr-King Ethelbert of East Anglia (+794).

21. St. Collen of Llangollen.

22. St. Helen of Caernarvon, wife of Emperor Maximus (+c. 400).

23. Hieromartyr Desiderius, bishop of Vienne (+c. 607).

24. St. Vincent, priest, of Lerins (+c. 450).

25. Hieromartyr Urban, pope of Rome (+230).

25. St. Aldhelm, bishop of Sherborne (+709).

26. Martyr Priscus, at Auxerre (+c. 272).

26. St. Augustine, archbishop of Canterbury, enlightener of Kent (+604) (F).

26. St. Bede 'the Venerable', priest-monk of Jarrow (+735).

28. St. Germanus, bishop of Paris (+576).

29. St. Buryan of Cornwall.

30. St. Hubert, bishop of Maastricht (+727).

31. Virgin-Martyr Petronella of Rome.

June

1. Martyr Nicomedes of Rome (S).

1. St. Gwen Teirbron of Brittany, mother of St. Winwaloe.

1. St. Ronan, hermit, of Locronan (+9th c.).

2. Hieromartyr Pothinus, bishop, and Martyrs Sanctus, Maturus, Attalus and

Blandina, at Lyons (+177).

2. Martyrs Marcellinus and Peter, at Rome (+304) (S).

2. St. Oda 'the Good', archbishop of Canterbury (+958).

3. St. Clothilde, queen of France (+545).

3. St. Kevin, abbot of Glendalough (+618).

4. St. Petroc, abbot of Padstow and Bodmin (+564).

4. St. Edfrith, bishop of Lindisfarne (+721).

5. St. Illidius, bishop of Clermont (+385).

5. Hieromartyr Boniface, archbishop of Mainz, enlightener of Germany, and those

with him: Eoban, bishop; Wintrung, Wlathere, Ethelhere, priests; Hamrind,

Scirbald, Bosa, deacons; Wachar, Gundaecer, Illehere and Hathowulf,

monks (+754).

6. St. Gudwal, abbot, of Brittany (+6th c.).

6. St. Jarlath, bishop of Tuam (+c. 550).

7. St. Meriasek (Meriadoc), bishop, of Camborne (+6th c.).

7. St. Colman, bishop, of Dromore (+6th c.).

8. St. Medard, bishop of Vermandois (+c. 560).

8. Translation of the relics of Righteous Boisil, abbot of Melrose (+c. 661).

8. Translation of the relics of Hieromartyr Alphege, archbishop of Canterbury

(+1012).

9. Martyrs Priscus and Felician, at Nomentum (+c. 297) (S).

9. St. Columba, abbot of Iona and enlightener of the Scots (+597).

12. Martyrs Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius, at Rome (S).

12. St. Odulf, priest-monk of Utrecht (+855).

12. Hieromartyr Eskil, bishop of Strangnas in Sweden (+1080).

14. St. Dogmael, monk, of Pembrokeshire (+6th c.).

15. Martyrs Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, of Sicily (+c. 303).

15. St. Trillo, abbot, of Llandrillo (+5th c.).

15. St. Edburga, nun, of Winchester (+960) (S).

16. St. Ismael, bishop of Menevia (+6th c.).

16. St. Juliot (Juliana) of Luxulyan, Cornwall (+6th c.).

17. Martyr Nectan, hermit of Hartland (+c. 550).

17. St. Botulph, abbot of Ikanhoe, and his brother St. Adulf, bishop (+c. 680).

17. St. Moling, bishop of Ferns (+697).

18. Martyrs Mark and Marcellian, at Rome (+c. 290).

19 (or 18). Martyrs Gervase and Protase, at Milan (S).

20. St. Govan, hermit, of Pembrokeshire (+6th c.).

21. St. Mewan, abbot, of Saint-Meen (+6th c.).

21. St. Leofrid, abbot of La-Croix-Saint-Leufroy (+738).

22. Martyr Alban, at St. Alban's, protomartyr of Britain (+3rd c.) (F).

22. Martyrs Julius and Aaron, at Caerleon (+c. 304).

22. Virgin-Martyr Gwen of Wales (+c. 650).

22. Martyrs Ebba, abbess of Coldingham and those with her (+870)

23. St. Etheldreda, queen of Northumbria and abbess of Ely (+679) (S).

24. St. Germoe, bishop, of Germoe, Cornwall.

25. St. Moluag, monk, of Lismore in Scotland (+592).

25. St. Adalbert, deacon, of Egmond (+c. 710).

26. Martyrs John and Paul, at Rome (+4th c.) (S).

26. Hieromartyr Salvus, bishop, at Valenciennes (+c. 768).

27. Martyr Zoilus, at Cordova (+c. 304).

28. St. Leo the Great, pope of Rome (+461).

28. St. Austell, monk, of Saint-Meen (+6th c.).

July

1. St. Serf, bishop, apostle of western Fife (+6th c.).

1. St. Gallus, bishop of Clermond (+551).

2. Martys Processus and Martinian, at Rome (S).

2. St. Oudoceus, bishop of Llandaff (+c. 615).

2. St. Swithun, bishop of Winchester (+862).

3. St. Germanus, bishop of the Isle of Man (+c. 475).

4. Translation of the relics of St. Martin 'the Merciful', bishop of Tours (+397).

4. St. Ulric, bishop of Augsburg (+973).

5. St. Morwenna, hermitess, of Morwenstow (+6th c.).

5. St. Modwenna, hermitess, of Burton-on-Trent (+7th c.).

6. St. Monenna, abbess of Killeevy (+c. 518).

6. St. Sexburga, queen of Kent and abbess of Ely, sister of St. Etheldreda (+c. 700).

7. St. Palladius, bishop, in Ireland and Scotland (+5th c.).

7. Righteous Boisil, abbot of Melrose (+c. 661).

7. St. Ethelburga, abbess of Faremoutier (+664).

7. St. Hedda, bishop of Winchester (+705).

7. St. Willibald, bishop of Eichstatt (+761).

7. St. Maelruain, abbot of Tallaght (+792).

8. Virgin-Martyr Urith (Hieritha) of Chittlehampton, Devon.

8. Hieromartyr Killian, bishop of Wurzburg (+c. 689).

8. St. Withburga, hermitess of East Dereham, sister of St. Etheldreda (+c. 743).

8. St. Grimbold, priest-monk, of Winchester (+901).

10. Seven Martyr Brothers of Rome (+2nd c.) (S).

11. Translation of the relics of St. Benedict of Nursia, abbot (+c. 550) (S).

11. St. Drostan, abbot of Deer, Aberdeenshire (+early 7th c.).

13. St. Mildred, abbess of Minster-in-Thanet (+c. 725) (S).

13. Translation of the relics of Virgin-Martyr Juthwara (+sixth c.).

15. St. Deusdedit, archbishop of Canterbury (+664) (S).

15. St. Donald, layman, of Ogilvy (+early 8th c.).

15. Translation of the relics of St. Swithun of Winchester (+862).

15. Righteous Edith of Polesworth, virgin, sister of St. Edburga (+10th c.).

15. Righteous David, bishop of Vasteras in Sweden (+1080).

16. Martyr Helier, hermit, of Jersey (+6th c.).

16. St. Plechelm, bishop of Odilienburg (+8th c.).

17. Martyr-Prince Kenelm of Mercia (+812).

18. St. Arnulf, bishop of Metz (+641).

18. Translation of the relics of St. Edburga, nun, of Winchester (+960).

21. Virgin Praxedes of Rome (+1st-2nd c.) (S).

21. Martyr Victor, at Marseilles (+304).

22. St. Wandregisilus (Wandrille), abbot of Fontenelle (+668).

23. Hieromartyr Apollinaris, bishop of Ravenna (+1st c.).

24. St. Declan, abbot of Ardmore (+5th c.).

28. St. Samson, bishop of Dol (+565).

29. Martyrs Simplicius, Faustinus and Beatrice, at Rome (+c. 304) (S).

29. St. Lupus, bishop of Troyes (+479).

29. St. Sulian (Sulien), abbot of Luxulyan, Cornwall (+6th c.).

29. Martyr-King Olaf of Norway (+1030).

30. Martys Abdon and Sennen, at Rome (+303) (S).

31. St. Germanus, bishop of Auxerre (+448).

31. St. Neot, priest-monk, of Neotstoke (+877).

August

1. St. Eusebius, bishop of Vercelli (+371).

1 (or 2). Virgin-Martyr Sidwell (Sativola) of Exeter.

1. St. Kyned (Cenydd), monk, of Ploumelin (+6th c.).

1. St. Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester (+984).

2. St. Etheldritha, hermitess of Crowland (+c. 835).

3. Translation of the relics of Martyr-King Olaf of Norway (+1030).

4. St. Sithney, hermit, of Sithney in Cornwall.

4. St. Molua, abbot of Killaloe (+c. 609).

5. Martyrs Afra, Eunomia, Digna and Eutropia, at Augsburg (+c. 304).

5. Martyr-King Oswald, king of Northumbria (+642) (S).

5. St. Gormgalius of the Aran islands, 'Confessor of the Saints of Ireland' (+c. 1012).

6. Hieromartyr Sixtus, pope of Rome, Martyrs Felicissimus and Agapitus (+258) (S).

6. Righeous Hardulph, hermit of Bredon.

8. Martyr Cyriacus, at Rome (S).

8. St. Lide (Elid), hermit of St. Helen's, Scilly isles (+c. 1000).

10. Deacon-Martyr Laurence, at Rome (+258) (S).

10. Righteous Bettelin, hermit, of Stafford.

11. Martyr Tiburtius, at Rome (+3rd c.) (S).

11. St. Blane, bishop of Bute and Dunblane(+late 6th c.).

12. St. Murtagh, bishop of Killala (+6th c.).

12. Translation of the relics of St. Edwold, hermit, of Cerne (+ c. 900).

13. Hieromartyr Hippolytus, pope of Rome (+235) (S).

13. Martyr Cassian, at Imola.

13. St. Radegund, queen of France and abbess of Poitiers (+587).

13. St. Wigbert, abbot of Fritzlar (+738).

16. Righteous Armel, abbot of Plouarmel, cousin of St. Samson (+c. 552).

16. St. Stephen, king and enlightener of Hungary (+1038).

18. Martyr Agapitus, at Praeneste (S).

19. St. Credan, abbot of Evesham (+8th c.).

20. Martyr-King Oswin of Deira (+651).

21. St. Sidonius Apollinaris, bishop of Clermond (+482).

22. Martyr Timothy, at Rome (+c. 304).

22. Righteous Arnulf, hermit of Eynesbury, Cambridgeshire .

23. Virgin-Martyr Tydfil of Merthy Tydfil, sister of St. Nectan (+c. 500).

24. St. Ouen, bishop of Rouen (+684).

25. Martyr Genesius the actor, at Rome.

25. Martyr Genesius, at Arles (+c. 250).

25. Righteous Ebba, abbess of Coldingham, sister of St. Oswald (+683).

27. Martyr-Hermit Decuman of Watchet (+6th c.).

28. Martyr Julian, at Broude.

28. Martyr Hermes, at Rome (+3rd c.) (S).

29. Righteous Sebbi, king and monk, of Essex (+c. 700).

29. St. Edwold, hermit, of Cerne in Dorset (+c. 900).

30. Martyrs Felix and Adauctus, at Rome (+c. 304) (S).

30. St. Fiacre, hermit, of Meaux (+c. 670).

30. Translation of the relics of St. Guthlac, priest-hermit of Crowland (+714).

31. St. Eanswythe, abbess of Folkestone (+640).

31. St. Aidan, bishop of Lindisfarne, enlightener of Northumbria (+651) (S).

31. St. Cuthburga, abbess of Wimborne (+c. 725).

September

1. Martyr Priscus, at Capua.

1. Righteous Drythelm, monk of Melrose (+c. 700).

4. Translation of the relics of St. Birinus, bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames,

enlightener of Wessex (+650).

4. St. Ultan, bishop of Meath (+657).

4. Translation of the relics of St. Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne (+687).

5. St. Bertinus, abbot of Saint-Omer (+698).

6. St. Bega (Bee), abbess of St. Bee's, Cumbria (+7th c.).

7. St. Cloud, priest-monk, of Saint-Cloud (+560).

9. Martyr Gorgonius, at Rome (S).

9. St. Ciaran, abbot of Clonmacnoise (+548).

9. St. Omer, bishop of Therouanne (+c. 669).

10. St. Finian, abbot of Moville (+579).

10. Translation of the relics of St. Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester (+984).

11. Martyrs Protus and Hyacinth, at Rome (S).

11. St. Deiniol, bishop of Bangor (+c. 564).

12. St. Ailbe, bishop of Imlech (+527)

14. Hieromartyr Cornelius, pope of Rome (+253).

14. Hieromartyr Cyprian, bishop of Carthage (+258).

15. Martyr Nicomedes, at Rome (S).

15. Martyr Nicetas the Goth (+4th c.).

15. St. Mirin, abbot, of Inch Murryn, Loch Lomond (+7th c.).

16. St. Ninian, bishop of Whithorn, enlightener of the South Picts (+432).

16. St. Edith, nun of Wilton, sister of St. Edward the Martyr (+984).

17. Martyrs Socrates and Stephen, in Britain.

17. Hieromartyr Lambert, bishop of Maastricht (+c. 705).

19. St. Theodore 'the Greek', archbishop of Canterbury (+690) (S).

22. Martyrs Maurice and his companions, at Saint-Maurice-en-Valais (+c. 287) (S).

23. St. Adomnan, abbot of Iona, 'Sage of the Western World' (+704).

24. St. Mawgan (Maucannus), abbot, of Cornwall .

25. St. Cadoc, abbot of Llancarfan (+6th c.).

25. St. Finbar, bishop of Cork (+c. 610).

25. St. Ceolfrid, abbot of Wearmouth-Jarrow, spiritual father of St. Bede (+716) (S).

27. St. Barry, hermit, of Barry island, Wales (+6th c.).

28. St. Machan, bishop, of Campsie in Scotland (+6th c.).

28. St. Leoba, abbess of Bischofsheim (+782).

29. Dedication of the basilica of St. Michael near Rome (F).

30. St. Honorius, archbishop of Canterbury (+653).

30. Martyr-Hermits Tancred, Torthred and Tova of Thorney (+870).

October

1. Martyr Mylor, of Amesbury.

1. Translation of the relics of St. Remigius, bishop of Rheims (+533).

2. Hieromartyr Leger, bishop of Autun (+c. 679).

3. Hieromartyrs Hewald and Hewald, brother priests, near Dortmund (+c. 695).

7. Virgin-Martyr Osith, abbess of Chich (+c. 700).

8. St. Keyne, nun, of Cornwall and Wales, sister of St. Nectan (+6th c.).

8. St. Triduna, hermitess, of Scotland.

8. Translation of the relics of St. Iwi, deacon-monk, of Lindisfarne (+c. 700).

8. Translation of the relics of St. Aidan, bishop of Lindisfarne (+651).

8. Translation of the relics of St. Ceolfrid, abbot of Wearmouth-Jarrow (+716).

10. St. Paulinus, bishop of York and Rochester (+644).

11. St. Ethelburga, abbess of Barking, brother of St. Erkonwald (+675).

11. St. Kenneth, abbot, of Aghaboe and the Outer Hebridees (+c. 600).

12. St. Wilfrid, bishop of York and Hexham (+709).

13. St. Comgan, abbot, of Lochalsh in Skye, father of St. Fillan (+8th c.).

14. Hieromartyr Callistus, pope of Rome (+222) (S).

14. St. Levan (Selevan), of St. Levan, Cornwall.

14. St. Burchard, bishop of Wurzburg (+754).

14. Killing of King Harold of England and those with him, at Hastings (+1066).

15. St. Tecla, abbess of Kitzingen (+790).

15. Hieromartyr Ethelric, bishop of Durham, last English Orthodox bishop (+1072).

16. St. Gall, hermit, enlightener of Switzerland (+c. 630).

17. St. Rule (Regulus) of St. Andrew's in Scotland.

17. Translation of the relics of Martyr-Princes Ethelbert and Ethelred of Kent (+640).

17. Translation of the relics of St. Etheldreda, abbess of Ely (+679).

17. St. Nothelm, archbishop of Canterbury (+739).

18. St. Gwen (Wenna) of Cornwall, sister of St. Nonna, mother of St. Cybi.

19. St. Ethbin, hermit, of Brittany and Ireland, disciple of St. Samson (+6th c.).

19. St. Frideswide, nun, of Oxford (+c. 735).

21. St. Fintan Munnu, abbot of Taghmon (+635).

21. Righteous Tuda, bishop of Lindisfarne (+664).

21. St. Condedus, hermit, of Fontenelle (+late 7th c.).

22. St. Donatus, bishop of Fiesole (+876).

23. St. Ethelfleda, abbess of Romsey (+c. 1000).

24. St. Maglorius, abbot of Sark (+c. 575).

25. Martyrs Crispin and Crispinianus, at Soissons (+c. 285).

26. St. Cedd, bishop of London (+664).

26. Righteous Eata, bishop of Hexham and Lindisfarne (+686).

26. Righteous Alfred, king of England (+899).

27. St. Odran, monk of Iona (+c. 563).

29. St. Colman, bishop, of Kilmacduagh (+c. 632).

31. Martyr Quentin, at Saint-Quentin (S).

31 (or 2/11). St. Erc (Erth), bishop of Lilcach.

31 (or 30). St. Foillan, abbot of Fosses (+c. 653).

31. Righteous Begu, nun, of Hackness (+660).

November

1. St. Cadfan, abbot of Bardsey island (+5th c.).

1. St. Gwythian (Gothian) of Cornwall (+6th c.).

1. St. Vigor, bishop of Bayeux (+c. 537).

1. Translation of the relics of St. Boniface, enlightener of Germany (+754).

2. St. Rumwold, infant, of Buckingham (+c. 700).

2. Translation of the relics of Righteous Ebba, abbess of Coldingham (+683)

3. Martyr-Prince Clydog of Merthir Clitauc (+6th c.).

3. St. Winefrid, nun, of Holywell (+7th c.).

3. Translation of the relics of St. Hubert, bishop of Maastricht (+727).

3. Translation of the relics of St. Edith of Wilton (+984).

4. St. Clether, hermit of Cornwall (+6th c.).

4. St. Birnstan, bishop of Winchester (+934).

5. St. Kea, bishop, of Cornwall and Brittany.

6. St. Illtud, abbot of Llanilltud-Fawr (+early 6th c.).

6. St. Melaine, bishop of Rennes (+c. 535).

6. St. Winnoc, abbot of Wormhout (+c. 717).

7. St. Willibrord (Clement), archbishop of Utrecht, enlightener of Holland (+739).

8. Martyrs Claudius, Nicostratus, Simpronian and Castorius, at Sirmium (4th c.) (S).

8. St. Cybi of Anglesey (+6th c.).

8. St. Tysilio, monk of Llandysilio, Wales (+7th c.).

10. St. Justus, archbishop of Canterbury (+627) (S).

10. Translation of the relics of St. Willibrord, enlightener of Holland (+739).

11. St. Martin 'the Merciful', bishop of Tours (+397) (F).

12. St. Machar (Mochumma), bishop, in Mull and Aberdeen (+6th c.).

12. St. Cadwaladr, prince of Wales (+664).

12. St. Lebuin, monk, of Holland (+c. 775).

13. St. Brice, bishop of Tours (+444) (S).

14. St. Dyfrig (Dubricius), archbishop of Llandaff (+c. 550).

15. St. Malo, bishop of Saint-Malo (+c. 600).

15. St. Fintan, hermit, of Rheinau (+879).

17. St. Gregory of Tours, bishop of Tours (+c. 594).

17. St. Hilda, abbess of Whitby (+680).

18. St. Mawes, bishop, of Ile-Modez.

20. Martyr-King Edmund of East Anglia (+869).

21. St. Gelasius, pope of Rome (+496).

21. St. Columbanus, abbot of Luxeuil (+615).

22. Virgin-Martyr Cecilia and Martyrs Valerian and Tiburtius, of Rome (+3rd c.) (S).

24. Martyr Christogonus, at Aquileia (+c. 304).

24. St. Colman, bishop, of Cloyne (+c. 606).

24. Righteous Enfleda, abbess of Whitby, daughter of St. Edwin (+c. 704).

27. St. Congar, bishop, of Congresbury (+6th c.).

27. St. Fergus, bishop, of Glamis (+8th c.).

28. Virgin-Martyr Juthwara of St. Julitta's, Cornwall (+sixth c.).

29. St. Brendan, abbot of Birr (+573).

29. Righteous Ethelwin, hermit, of Athelney (+7th c.).

December

1. St. Tudwal, bishop, of Lan Pabu (+6th c.).

1. St. Eligius, bishop of Noyon (+c. 660).

2. Virgin-Martyr Viviana, at Rome.

3. St. Birinus, bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames, enlightener of Wessex (+651).

5. Hieromartyr Justinian of Ramsey island, spiritual father of St. David (+6th c.)

7. St. Diuma, bishop, enlightener of the Middle Anglians (+658).

8. St. Budoc, bishop, of Plourin (+6th c.).

12. St. Finian, abbot of Clonard, 'Teacher of the Saints of Ireland' (+549).

13. Virgin-Martyr Lucy of Syracuse (+304) (S).

13. St. Judoc, hermit of Saint-Josse-sur-Mer (+c. 668).

13. Righteous Edburga, abbess of Minster-in-Thanet (+751).

14. Martyrs Fingar and Piala, siblings, at Hayle in Cornwall (+c. 455).

14. St. Hybald, abbot, of Hibaldstow (+7th c.).

15. Righteous Offa, king and monk, of Essex (+c. 709).

17. St. Sturm, abbot of Fulda (+779).

18. St. Flannan, bishop, of Killaloe (+7th c.).

18. St. Samthann, abbess of Clonbronney (+739).

19. St. Winnebald, abbot of Heidenheim (+761).

24. St. Mochua, abbot of Timahoe (+c. 657).

26. St. Tathan, abbot, of Caerwent (+c. 550).

29. St. Evroul, abbot of Saint-Evroul (+706).

30. St. Egwin, bishop of Worcester (+717).

31. St. Sylvester, pope of Rome (+335) (S).

A DEATHBED PROPHECY OF KING EDWARD THE CONFESSOR

"Just now two monks stood before me, whom I had once known very well when I was a young man in Normandy, men of great sanctity, and for many years now relieved of earthly cares. And they addressed me with a message from God. 'Since,' they said, 'those who have climbed to the highest offices in the kingdom of England, the earls, the bishops and abbots, and all those in holy orders, are not what they seem to be, but, on the contrary, are servants of the devil, on a year and one day after the day of your death God has delivered all this kingdom, cursed by Him, into the hands of the enemy, and devils shall come through all this land with fire and sword and the havoc of war.' Then I said to them, 'I will show God's design to the people, and the forgiveness of God shall have mercy upon the penitents. For He had mercy on the people of Nineveh, when they repented on hearing the Divine indignation.' But they said, 'These will not repent, nor will the forgiveness of God come to pass for them.' 'And what,' I asked, 'shall happen? And when can a remission of this great indignation be hoped for?' 'At that time,' they answered, 'when a green tree, if cut down in the middle of its trunk, and the part cut off carried the space of three furlongs from the stock, shall be joined again to the trunk, by itself and without the hand of man or any sort of stake, and begin once more to push leaves and bear fruit from the old love of its uniting sap, then first can a remission of these great ills be hoped for."

King Edward died on January 5, 1066. One year and one day after his death, on January 6, 1067, the Roman Catholic William the Conqueror was crowned king of England in Westminster Abbey. Then began a terrible campaign of pillage and bloodshed by the Conqueror against the English people, which culminated in the pseudo-council of Winchester in 1070, when papal legates deposed the Orthodox Archbishop Stigand, who had refused to crown William, and placed the Roman Catholic Lanfranc in his place. On October 15, 1072, the last English Orthodox bishop, Ethelric of Durham, after anathematizing the Pope, died in prison at Westminster, and the grace of the priesthood left the English land, in accordance with King Edward's prophecy. The last part of this prophecy remains to be fulfilled...