One of the oldest feasts in the East, it has been traced back to the beginning of the 2nd century. The Western Rite Church accepted this great Feast Day from the Eastern Rite Church in the 3rd century.
The glorious Prophet, Precursor and Baptist, who baptized Our Lord Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
Our venerable father, Procopius, venerable confessor and monk of Decapolis, died about A.D 740 during the reign of Emperor Leo III, the Isaurian.
Our venerable father, Gerasimus, a Hermit, founded a monastery on the bank of the River Jordan. In his youth a follower of the heretic Eutyches, he did severe penance the rest of his life. Died A.D. 475.
St. Paul and his sister Juliana, Martyrs, sent to their rewards A.D. 275 in the reign of Aurelian, Emperor.
SS. Akindynos, Pegasius, Aphdonius, Elpidephorus, and Anempodistus, Martyrs, suffered martyrdom for the Faith in Persia under King Sapor II about A.D. 345.
St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. His early Apostolic work was concerned with the Jews for whom he wrote his First Gospel in their own Aramaic tongue. He was martyred in Africa by fire.
St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. His early Apostolic work was concerned with the Jews for whom he wrote his First Gospel in their own Aramaic tongue. He was martyred in Africa by fire.
