Aoi Matsuri(Kyoto)
Aoi Matsuri is a historic Shinto festival held annually on May 15 in Kyoto, featuring a grand procession of participants dressed in Heian-period costumes.
Aoi Matsuri, also known as the Hollyhock Festival, dates back to the 6th century and is one of Kyoto’s three major festivals. The highlight is a vibrant procession from the Imperial Palace to the Kamigamo and Shimogamo Shrines, with participants in elaborate Heian-era attire. Decorated ox-drawn carts and horseback archers add to the pageantry. Hollyhock leaves are carried as sacred offerings to the deities of the Kamo Shrines, symbolizing purification and protection. The festival blends religious reverence with cultural performance, drawing thousands of spectators each year. Its enduring rituals offer a window into Japan’s imperial history and Shinto traditions.
Aoi Matsuri
Kyoto
Christianfeast day:
Achillius of Larissa, Athanasius of Alexandria(Coptic Church), Dymphna, Hallvard Vebjørnsson(Roman Catholic Church), Hesychius of Cazorla, Hilary of Galeata, Isidore the Laborer, celebrated with festivals in various countries, the beginning ofbullfightingseason inMadrid., Jean-Baptiste de La Salle(Roman Catholic Church), Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise(Roman Catholic Church), Reticius(Roman Catholic Church), Sophia of Rome(Roman Catholicchurch), May 15(Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar)
May 15 is observed as the feast day for numerous Christian saints across different traditions, and marks the traditional start of the bullfighting season in Madrid.
On May 15th, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Coptic churches celebrate the feast days of saints such as Achillius of Larissa, Dymphna, and Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. These observances often involve liturgical services, processions, and community gatherings. In Madrid, the date also signals the opening of the bullfighting season at the historic Las Ventas ring, where aficionados and tourists gather to witness age-old bullfighting rituals. The convergence of religious commemoration and cultural spectacle offers a unique glimpse into Spain’s and Christianity’s intertwined traditions. Pilgrimages to local shrines and special masses are held in honor of each saint. The rich tapestry of ceremonies reflects centuries of devotion and local customs.
feast day
Achillius of Larissa
Athanasius of Alexandria
Coptic Church
Dymphna
Hallvard Vebjørnsson
Roman Catholic Church
Hesychius of Cazorla
Hilary of Galeata
Isidore the Laborer
bullfighting
Madrid
Jean-Baptiste de La Salle
Roman Catholic Church
Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise
Roman Catholic Church
Reticius
Roman Catholic Church
Sophia of Rome
Roman Catholic
May 15
Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar
La Corsa dei Ceribegins on the eve of the feast day ofSaint Ubaldo. (Gubbio)
La Corsa dei Ceri is a centuries-old torch race in Gubbio, Italy, held on May 15 to honor Saint Ubaldo with a spectacular procession.
La Corsa dei Ceri, or the Race of the Candles, is a centuries-old festival held in Gubbio, Italy each year on May 15th to honor Saint Ubaldo. Teams of torchbearers dressed in colorful medieval costumes carry towering wooden candles through the town’s steep and narrow streets in a thrilling competition. The race begins on the eve of the feast day, culminating in a pre-dawn procession to the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo atop Mount Ingino. Thousands of spectators line the route to cheer the runners, creating a vibrant atmosphere of devotion and excitement. Rituals include the blessing of the candles and traditional songs passed down over generations. La Corsa dei Ceri showcases Gubbio’s strong communal bonds and medieval heritage, drawing visitors from around the world.
La Corsa dei Ceri
Saint Ubaldo
Gubbio
Achillius of Larissa
The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Achillius of Larissa, a 4th-century bishop and defender of orthodoxy, on May 15.
Saint Achillius served as bishop of Larissa in Thessaly during the 4th century and was renowned for his fervent defense of the Nicene faith at the First Council of Nicaea.
He was celebrated for performing miracles, including healings and the expulsion of malevolent spirits, earning him veneration among early Christians.
Each year on May 15, Orthodox communities hold the Divine Liturgy, chanting hymns dedicated to his memory and seeking his intercession.
Iconography often depicts Achillius with a book and a cross, symbolizing his theological contributions and steadfast faith.
The feast day inspires believers to uphold doctrinal truth and trust in the transformative power of divine grace.
Achillius of Larissa
Athanasius of Alexandria(Coptic Church)
The Coptic Orthodox Church honors Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, an influential 4th-century patriarch and theologian, on May 15.
Born in 296 CE, Athanasius became Patriarch of Alexandria and was a leading defender of Trinitarian doctrine against Arianism.
He played a pivotal role at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, securing the affirmation of Christ's divinity in the Nicene Creed.
On May 15, Coptic churches commemorate his legacy with special liturgies, readings from his theological writings, and commemorative hymns.
His life exemplifies perseverance through multiple exiles and theological controversies, inspiring Coptic faithful to remain steadfast in their beliefs.
The feast day highlights Athanasius's enduring impact on Christian theology and the unity of the Church.
Athanasius of Alexandria
Coptic Church
Dymphna
Saint Dymphna's Day honors the 7th-century Irish princess and patroness of mental health on May 15 in Christian tradition.
Dymphna was the daughter of an Irish pagan king who fled her homeland to escape her father's incestuous advances, choosing faith over fear.
She was martyred at age 15 and became venerated as the patron saint of those suffering from mental illness and emotional distress.
On May 15, pilgrims visit the shrine of St. Dymphna in Geel, Belgium, renowned for its longstanding tradition of community-based care for the mentally ill.
Churches worldwide hold prayer services, asking for her intercession and reflecting on the importance of compassion in mental health treatment.
The feast encourages awareness of psychological well-being and the value of supportive communities for healing.
Dymphna
Hallvard Vebjørnsson(Roman Catholic Church)
The Roman Catholic Church commemorates Saint Hallvard Vebjørnsson, patron saint of Oslo, on May 15 each year.
Saint Hallvard was a 11th-century Norse nobleman who gave his life defending an innocent woman and sought to uphold justice.
Legend tells that he carried a millstone and arrows as symbols of his martyrdom, which are now part of Oslo's city seal.
On his feast day, local parishes in Norway celebrate with special Masses and cultural events highlighting themes of protection and righteousness.
Saint Hallvard's story inspires devotion to defending the vulnerable and acting with moral courage in the face of injustice.
The celebration fosters a sense of solidarity within communities and honors Oslo's spiritual heritage.
Hallvard Vebjørnsson
Roman Catholic Church
Hesychius of Cazorla
Feast of Saint Hesychius of Cazorla, a Spanish hermit and early Christian figure, observed on May 15.
Hesychius lived as a hermit in the mountains of Andalusia during the 4th century, dedicating his life to prayer and asceticism.
He gained a reputation for holiness and performing miracles, leading local Christians to venerate him after his death.
On May 15, communities in Cazorla hold processions and devotional services at chapels and sites associated with the saint.
The feast day underscores the virtues of solitude, prayer, and devotion, drawing pilgrims to reflect on the monastic calling.
Local traditions include blessings of the fields, invoking Hesychius's intercession for a bountiful harvest.
Hesychius of Cazorla
Hilary of Galeata
Saint Hilary of Galeata, an early Christian hermit and founder of a monastic community, is celebrated on May 15.
Born in the 4th century, Hilary withdrew to the hills near Galeata, Italy, where he established a hermitage that grew into a monastic settlement.
He was known for his strict asceticism, spiritual wisdom, and miracles of healing, attracting disciples from across the region.
Each year on May 15, pilgrims visit the Abbey of San Michele in Monte, where liturgies honor his legacy and teachings.
The feast day includes prayers for guidance in contemplation and community life, reflecting on Hilary's model of holiness.
Local festivals feature historical reenactments and communal meals, celebrating the enduring monastic tradition.
Hilary of Galeata
Isidore the Laborer, celebrated with festivals in various countries, the beginning ofbullfightingseason inMadrid.
Feast of Saint Isidore the Laborer honors the patron of farmers and marks the traditional start of the bullfighting season in Madrid on May 15.
Saint Isidore, a 12th-century Spanish farmer, is venerated for his piety and miracles related to farming and animals.
His feast on May 15 features rural processions, blessings of fields, and communal meals celebrating agrarian life.
In Madrid, the day coincides with the opening of the bullfighting season at Las Ventas, drawing spectators to the first corrida of the year.
Festivals across Spain include music, dancing, and traditional attire, blending religious devotion with local culture.
The celebration highlights the interconnection of faith, agriculture, and community identity in Spanish heritage.
Isidore the Laborer
bullfighting
Madrid
Jean-Baptiste de La Salle(Roman Catholic Church)
A feast day honoring Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, the pioneering French educator and patron saint of teachers.
Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle was a 17th-century French priest who founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He revolutionized education by establishing free schools for the poor and training lay teachers. His emphasis on dedication, discipline, and respect laid the foundation for modern pedagogy. Canonized in 1900, he is celebrated as the patron saint of teachers and schools around the world. This day invites reflection on his lasting legacy in education and the importance of nurturing young minds.
Jean-Baptiste de La Salle
Roman Catholic Church
Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise(Roman Catholic Church)
Commemoration of Saints Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise, early Christian martyrs venerated for their steadfast faith.
Saints Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise are honored as early Christian martyrs who upheld their faith under persecution. Though details of their lives have been softened by time, tradition recounts their courage and solidarity in the face of oppression. Their joint celebration on this day symbolizes the unity of the early Church and the enduring power of witness. Believers reflect on their example of sacrifice and the strength found in communal faith. The feast encourages modern Christians to draw inspiration from these saints’ unwavering devotion.
Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise
Roman Catholic Church