Christianfeast day:
Abadir and Irajaand Companions (Coptic Church), Aunarius (Aunacharius), Anathalon(Archdiocese of Milan), Cadoc, Ceolfrith, Cleopas, Euphrosyne of Alexandria, Finbarr, Fermin of Amiens, Lancelot Andrewes(Church of England), Sergius of Radonezh(repose), Vincent Strambi, September 25 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Various Christian traditions observe the feast days of multiple saints on September 25.
September 25 is marked by a diverse array of Christian feast days across denominations. The Coptic Orthodox Church honors Abadir and Iraja and their companions for their faithful witness and martyrdom. The Eastern Orthodox calendar commemorates figures such as Sergius of Radonezh and Vincent Strambi. The Church of England celebrates Lancelot Andrewes, while the Archdiocese of Milan remembers Anathalon, its first bishop. Other saints venerated include Cadoc, Ceolfrith, Cleopas, Euphrosyne of Alexandria, Finbarr, and Fermin of Amiens. Liturgical services often feature special prayers, scripture readings, and hymns that reflect on the virtues and legacies of these holy individuals.
feast day
Abadir and Iraja
Coptic Church
Aunarius (Aunacharius)
Anathalon
Archdiocese of Milan
Cadoc
Ceolfrith
Cleopas
Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Finbarr
Fermin of Amiens
Lancelot Andrewes
Church of England
Sergius of Radonezh
Vincent Strambi
September 25 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Abadir and Irajaand Companions (Coptic Church)
The Coptic Orthodox Church commemorates Saints Abadir and Iraja and their companions, martyrs who upheld their faith.
In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, September 25 honors Saints Abadir and Iraja along with their companions, celebrated for their steadfast faith in the face of persecution. According to tradition, they were noble siblings who embraced Christianity and suffered martyrdom. The day is marked by special liturgies, readings from their hagiographies, and hymns that recount their courageous witness. Devotees may attend services, light candles, and offer prayers seeking the saints’ intercession. This feast underscores themes of sacrifice, fidelity, and spiritual fortitude within the early church.
Abadir and Iraja
Coptic Church
Aunarius (Aunacharius)
Saint Aunarius, a 7th-century bishop renowned for his charity and ecclesiastical reforms, is honored on September 25.
Saint Aunarius, also known as Aunacharius, was a 7th-century bishop of Auxerre in present-day France. Celebrated on September 25 in various Christian calendars, he is remembered for his devotion, charitable works, and efforts to reform the clergy. Historical records credit him with founding monasteries and caring for the poor and sick. On his feast day, churches hold Mass services featuring readings about his life and prayers invoking his guidance. Many communities organize charity drives and communal meals in his honor. His legacy of compassion and reform continues to inspire clergy and laypeople alike.
Aunarius (Aunacharius)
Anathalon(Archdiocese of Milan)
Saint Anathalon, regarded as the first bishop of Milan, is commemorated by the Archdiocese of Milan for his foundational role.
Saint Anathalon is traditionally recognized as the first bishop of Milan, appointed in the 1st century. His feast day on September 25 is observed by the Archdiocese of Milan with special Masses, liturgical chants, and scripture readings about his episcopal mission. According to legend, he was sent by Saint Barnabas to establish the early Christian community in northern Italy. Milanese churches may display relics or artworks depicting Anathalon and host educational talks on the origins of Christianity in the region. The celebration highlights his pioneering leadership and lasting influence on the faith community.
Anathalon
Archdiocese of Milan
Cadoc
Saint Cadoc, a prominent 5th-century Welsh abbot and missionary, is honored for his monastic foundations and evangelism.
Saint Cadoc, celebrated on September 25, was a 5th-century abbot and missionary in Wales known for founding key monastic centers. Medieval hagiographies recount his miracles, scholarly pursuits, and efforts to spread Christianity across Wales. On his feast day, churches hold special services featuring readings from Celtic saints’ lives and traditional Welsh hymns. Pilgrimages to sites associated with Cadoc’s ministry, such as Llancarfan Monastery, attract devotees seeking spiritual inspiration. The observance celebrates Welsh Christian heritage and the enduring legacy of monastic learning and evangelism.
Cadoc
Ceolfrith
Commemorates Saint Ceolfrith, the Anglo-Saxon abbot of Wearmouth-Jarrow who mentored the Venerable Bede.
Saint Ceolfrith (d. 716) served as abbot at the twin monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow in Northumbria. He co-founded the iconic monasteries with Saint Benedict Biscop and was renowned for his scholarly support of the Venerable Bede. Under his guidance, the monastic community became a center of learning, preserving classical texts and advancing ecclesiastical scholarship. Ceolfrith personally collected sacred writings during journeys to Rome and established a rich library at Jarrow. His leadership and dedication to monastic education left a lasting legacy in early medieval England.
Ceolfrith
Cleopas
Honors Cleopas, one of the disciples who encountered the resurrected Christ on the road to Emmaus.
Cleopas is a figure in the Gospel of Luke who walked with the risen Jesus after the Resurrection, though he did not recognize him until the breaking of bread. His account highlights themes of faith, revelation, and the Eucharist in Christian tradition. Tradition holds that he later became a bishop and missionary, spreading the Gospel in various regions. Though details of his life remain scarce, he symbolizes the journey from doubt to belief. His feast day invites reflection on the transformative power of encountering the divine in everyday moments.
Cleopas
Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Celebrates Saint Euphrosyne of Alexandria, a 5th-century ascetic who disguised herself as a man to join a monastery.
Born around 410 in Egypt, Euphrosyne was the daughter of a wealthy Christian who sought to dedicate her life to God. Defying societal expectations, she took the name 'Smaragdus' and lived in a male monastery for 47 years without revealing her identity. She labored in silence and humility, serving as a model of ascetic perseverance. On her deathbed, Euphrosyne disclosed her true identity to her confessor, astonishing the monastic community. Her story remains a powerful testimony to spiritual devotion and the breaking of gender barriers in early Church history.
Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Finbarr
Marks the feast of Saint Finbarr, the founding bishop of Cork and patron saint of the Irish city.
Saint Finbarr (c. 550–623) founded a monastic settlement on the banks of the River Lee, around which the city of Cork later grew. Known for his wisdom and piety, he became the first Bishop of Cork and guided the region's Christian community. Numerous miracles are attributed to him, including healing the sick and blessing the land. His legacy endures in Cork Cathedral (St. Fin Barre's) and annual pilgrimages to his shrine. The feast day celebrates his role in establishing one of Ireland’s principal dioceses and his enduring spiritual influence.
Finbarr
Fermin of Amiens
Observes Saint Fermin of Amiens, the first bishop and patron of Amiens, revered for his missionary zeal and martyrdom.
Saint Fermin (died c. 303) is venerated as the first Bishop of Amiens in northern France, sent by Pope Clement I to evangelize the region. He was reportedly martyred after refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods, sealing his witness to the Christian faith. Over centuries, his cult spread, and he became the patron saint of Amiens, with a cathedral dedicated in his honor. His life inspired the famous Sanfermines festival in Pamplona, Spain, celebrating his legacy each July. The feast day on September 25 invites reflection on steadfast faith and missionary courage.
Fermin of Amiens
Lancelot Andrewes(Church of England)
Honors Bishop Lancelot Andrewes, a leading 17th-century theologian and one of the translators of the King James Bible.
Lancelot Andrewes (1555–1626) served as Bishop of Chichester, Ely, and Winchester within the Church of England. Celebrated for his erudite sermons and devotional writings, he played a pivotal role in the translation of the King James Version of the Bible. His commitment to liturgical refinement and theological precision shaped Anglican worship for generations. Andrewes was a confidant of monarchs and a defender of moderate Protestantism. The anniversary of his repose commemorates his enduring influence on English-speaking Christianity.
Lancelot Andrewes
Church of England
Sergius of Radonezh(repose)
Commemorates the repose of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, the influential Russian monastic founder and spiritual leader.
Saint Sergius of Radonezh (1314–1392) co-founded the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, which became a spiritual center of medieval Russia. Renowned for his humility, asceticism, and gifts of healing, he revitalized monastic life amid political turmoil. Sergius blessed Prince Dmitry Donskoy before the Battle of Kulikovo, linking spiritual guidance with national identity. His life and teachings fostered unity within the Orthodox Church and Russian society. The annual commemoration on this date honors his legacy as a pillar of Eastern Orthodox monasticism.
Sergius of Radonezh