July 20

Holidays & Observances - Religious Festivals

Christianfeast day:

Ansegisus, Apollinaris of Ravenna, Aurelius, Ealhswith (or Elswith), Elijah, Elizabeth Cady Stanton,Amelia Bloomer,Sojourner Truth, andHarriet Ross Tubman(Episcopal Church (USA)), Giuseppe Beotti, John Baptist Yi(one of TheKorean Martyrs), Margaret the Virgin, Thorlac(relic translation), Wilgefortis, July 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Commemoration of multiple saints and notable Christian figures across various traditions.
July 20th is dedicated to a diverse group of Christian saints and historical figures in both Western and Eastern liturgies. Key figures include Apollinaris of Ravenna, honored as the first bishop and martyr, and Ansegisus, remembered for his monastic reforms. The Episcopal Church in the USA commemorates pioneering women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Ross Tubman. Eastern Orthodox traditions observe the translation of Saint Thorlac’s relics among other martyrs. This feast day highlights the richness of Christian hagiography and the enduring legacies of these spiritual leaders.
feast day Ansegisus Apollinaris of Ravenna Aurelius Ealhswith (or Elswith) Elijah Elizabeth Cady Stanton Amelia Bloomer Sojourner Truth Harriet Ross Tubman Episcopal Church (USA) Giuseppe Beotti John Baptist Yi Korean Martyrs Margaret the Virgin Thorlac relic translation Wilgefortis July 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Ansegisus

Feast day of Saint Ansegisus, a Frankish abbot known for monastic reform.
Saint Ansegisus served as abbot of the Abbey of Fontenelle in the 9th century, playing a pivotal role in the Carolingian monastic revival. He authored important statutes that standardized monastic discipline and spiritual practice across Frankish monasteries. His feast day on July 20 is observed in Western liturgical calendars with special prayers and readings from his writings. Celebrations often include reflection on the value of community life and scholarly devotion. Ansegisus’s legacy endures in the foundations he helped lay for later monastic orders.
Ansegisus

Apollinaris of Ravenna

Feast day of Saint Apollinaris, first bishop of Ravenna and early Christian martyr.
Saint Apollinaris was appointed the first bishop of Ravenna in the 1st century and is celebrated for his evangelistic work and martyrdom. Tradition holds that he converted many to Christianity before suffering persecution for his faith. His relics are enshrined in the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, near Ravenna, Italy. On July 20, liturgical services honor his steadfast witness with hymns and readings. Apollinaris’s story exemplifies the early church’s resilience under Roman oppression and the spread of Christianity across the Italian peninsula.
Apollinaris of Ravenna

Aurelius

Feast day of Saint Aurelius, a Christian martyr commemorated for his steadfast faith.
Saint Aurelius is venerated as an early Christian martyr whose life and testimony inspired believers during periods of Roman persecution. While details of his martyrdom vary among sources, he is remembered for unwavering devotion and courage. Celebrations on July 20 include special liturgical readings and prayers invoking his intercession. Aurelius’s example highlights the theme of faith overcoming adversity, resonating in Christian communities that honor his memory. His feast fosters reflection on the sacrifices made by early followers of the faith.
Aurelius

Ealhswith (or Elswith)

Commemorates St. Ealhswith, queen consort of Wessex and revered Christian figure.
St. Ealhswith (d. c. 902) was the noble wife of King Alfred the Great, renowned for her piety and charitable works. She founded religious communities and supported the spread of Christianity throughout Wessex and beyond. Her dedication to the poor and devotion to prayer became hallmarks of her legacy. Celebrated on July 20, her feast honors the queen consort's spiritual leadership and monastic foundations. Venerated in Christian tradition, she remains a symbol of royal holiness and service.
Ealhswith (or Elswith)

Elijah

Honors the prophet Elijah, a central figure of the Hebrew Bible renowned for his zeal and miracles.
Prophet Elijah, one of Israel’s most influential prophetic figures, is remembered for his fearless defense of monotheism and his dramatic miracles. Confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he displayed divine power in calling down fire from heaven. His life culminated in a miraculous ascent into the heavens in a chariot of fire, a symbol of divine favor. Commemorated on July 20 in Eastern Orthodox and other Christian traditions, his feast celebrates unwavering faith and courage. His example inspires believers to stand boldly for truth even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Elijah

Elizabeth Cady Stanton,Amelia Bloomer,Sojourner Truth, andHarriet Ross Tubman(Episcopal Church (USA))

A joint commemoration of pioneering activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Ross Tubman in the Episcopal Church USA.
On July 20, the Episcopal Church USA honors a quartet of trailblazers—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Ross Tubman—whose faith fueled their fight for equality. Stanton championed women's suffrage through groundbreaking publications and speeches. Bloomer advocated dress reform as a means of liberating women’s bodies and minds. Truth, a former slave turned eloquent orator, spoke powerfully against injustice and oppression. Tubman’s daring leadership of the Underground Railroad exemplified courage and compassion. The joint feast day celebrates their enduring legacy and the intersection of faith and social justice.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton Amelia Bloomer Sojourner Truth Harriet Ross Tubman Episcopal Church (USA)

Giuseppe Beotti

Celebrates Blessed Giuseppe Beotti, Italian priest and martyr who served the poor during World War II.
Blessed Giuseppe Beotti was an Italian priest renowned for his unwavering dedication to the rural poor amidst the turmoil of World War II. Serving in the Diocese of Reggio Emilia, he provided spiritual guidance, medical assistance, and material relief to those suffering under wartime occupation. His courageous acts of charity drew the ire of occupying forces, leading to his execution on July 20, 1944. The Church beatified him in recognition of his sacrificial witness and pastoral zeal. His feast day invites reflection on the cost of discipleship and the power of compassion in times of crisis.
Giuseppe Beotti

John Baptist Yi(one of TheKorean Martyrs)

Honors St. John Baptist Yi, one of the Korean Martyrs who gave their lives for the faith.
St. John Baptist Yi and his fellow Korean Martyrs symbolize the profound commitment of 19th-century Korean Catholics who faced severe persecution for their faith. Despite threats of torture, Yi ministered to his community, offering spiritual support in secret. He was martyred on July 20, joining the group later canonized by Pope John Paul II. Their collective witness transformed the Korean Church and inspired generations with their courage. Celebrated on July 20, this feast honors their sacrifice and the vibrant legacy of Christianity in Korea.
John Baptist Yi Korean Martyrs

Margaret the Virgin

Remembers St. Margaret the Virgin, a model of purity and strength in early Christian tradition.
St. Margaret the Virgin, often identified with Margaret of Antioch, is celebrated for her unwavering faith and legendary triumph over temptation. According to tradition, she endured imprisonment and miraculous protection when swallowed by a dragon, emerging unscathed through divine intervention. Venerated as a patron of childbirth and expectant mothers, her story symbolizes hope and resilience. Her feast on July 20 invites the faithful to reflect on the power of steadfast belief in the face of adversity. Her enduring legend has inspired art, literature, and devotion throughout Christian history.
Margaret the Virgin

Thorlac(relic translation)

Marks the translation of St. Þorlákr’s relics, honoring Iceland’s patron saint of bishops.
St. Þorlákr Helgason (1133–1193) served as the first bishop of Iceland and championed ecclesiastical reform and pastoral care. Five years after his death, on July 20, his relics were solemnly moved to a new shrine at Skálholt, marking his growing veneration. This translation ceremony affirmed his status as patron saint of Iceland and a guardian of church discipline. The feast honors his tireless efforts to defend the rights of the poor, foster monastic life, and strengthen the medieval Icelandic Church. Celebrated annually, it offers a window into the rich heritage of Christianity in the North Atlantic.
Thorlac relic translation

Wilgefortis

Observes St. Wilgefortis, the bearded saint who miraculously thwarted an unwanted marriage.
St. Wilgefortis, also known as Uncumber or Liberata, is a legendary medieval figure famed for miraculously growing a beard to escape a forced marriage to a pagan king. According to lore, her crucifixion by her own father mirrored Christ’s suffering, symbolizing ultimate devotion and sacrifice. Venerated particularly in parts of Europe, her cult gained popularity among women seeking liberation from oppressive circumstances. Celebrated on July 20, artists have long depicted her on the cross with flowing beard and broken chains. Her feast day inspires reflection on freedom, faith, and the breaking of earthly bonds through divine grace.
Wilgefortis