January 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

In the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar, January 16th is a date that commemorates specific saints and observes particular themes within the liturgical year. Because the Orthodox Church uses both the Julian and Revised Julian calendars, commemorations may fall on different Gregorian dates depending on which calendar a particular church follows. Churches that follow the Julian calendar will observe the commemorations associated with January 16th thirteen days later on the Gregorian calendar.

Observed on this date are:

• The veneration of specific Saints. The Synaxarion (book of saints) provides detailed accounts of their lives, struggles, and miracles. These saints may include, but are not limited to:

  • Hieromartyr Peter (Acesius), Bishop of Sebaste (c. 348)
  • Martyrs Speusippus, Melapsippus, and Elesippus, brothers, and their grandmother Leonilla, of Cappadocia (161-180)
  • Martyr Danact, of Aulon, Albania (2nd century)
  • Venerable Hilarion, Schemamonk, of the Kiev Caves (1067)
  • Venerable Laurence of the Kiev Caves, Bishop of Turov (1194)
  • Venerable Mardarije of Libertyville (1935)

• Specific liturgical hymns, readings, and prayers are prescribed for the commemoration of the saint(s) of the day. These may be found in the Menaion (book containing services for each day of the year).

• Depending on the liturgical season, there may be particular fasting guidelines or observances prescribed.

• The reading of patristic or hagiographical texts pertinent to the saint(s) commemorated, offering spiritual instruction and edification to the faithful.