Christianfeast day:
Abibus of Edessa, Albert the Great, BlessedCaius of Korea, Didier of Cahors, Francis AsburyandGeorge Whitefield(Episcopal Church), Blessed Hugh Faringdon, Leopold III, apublic holidayinLower AustriaandVienna., Malo, Mechell, November 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A liturgical celebration honoring multiple saints observed on November 15 in various Christian traditions.
On November 15, the Christian calendar commemorates saints such as Abibus of Edessa, Albert the Great, and Blessed Caius of Korea. The Episcopal Church also remembers Francis Asbury and George Whitefield. In Eastern Orthodox tradition, saints like Malo and Mechell are honored with special liturgies. In parts of Lower Austria and Vienna, the feast of Leopold III is observed as a public holiday. These celebrations include church services, processions, and cultural events reflecting local customs.
feast day
Abibus of Edessa
Albert the Great
Blessed
Caius of Korea
Didier of Cahors
Francis Asbury
George Whitefield
Episcopal Church
Blessed Hugh Faringdon
Leopold III
public holiday
Lower Austria
Vienna
Malo
Mechell
November 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Shichi-Go-San(Japan)
A traditional Japanese celebration for children aged three, five, and seven to pray for their healthy growth.
Shichi-Go-San, literally “Seven-Five-Three,” is observed on November 15 in Japan. Families dress children in kimono and visit Shinto shrines to offer prayers for health and prosperity. The festival dates back to the Heian period when special ages were celebrated with rituals. Children receive Chitose-ame (thousand-year candy) symbolizing longevity. Photographers capture formal portraits to mark the occasion. Today, Shichi-Go-San blends religious tradition with modern celebrations, uniting families in a cherished cultural ritual.
Shichi-Go-San
The beginning ofNativity Fast(Eastern Orthodox)
The Nativity Fast, known as the Christmas Lent, begins in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is a period of spiritual preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.
The Nativity Fast starts on November 15, marking forty days of fasting before Christmas for Eastern Orthodox Christians. During this period, adherents abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs, focusing on prayer, almsgiving, and spiritual reflection. Churches hold special liturgies, prayer services, and scriptural readings to guide worshippers through the fasting season. The fast culminates in the Feast of the Nativity on January 7 (Julian calendar), celebrated with joyful services and communal meals. The Nativity Fast emphasizes self-discipline, repentance, and anticipation of the Incarnation of Christ.
Nativity Fast
Eastern Orthodox
Abibus of Edessa
The feast day of Saint Abibus of Edessa honors an early Christian martyr and disciple of Saint Thomas. He is venerated for his perseverance in faith and enduring sacrifice.
Saint Abibus of Edessa was a 2nd-century Christian martyr who suffered persecution for his faith under Roman rule. According to tradition, he was tortured and executed for refusing to renounce Christianity. His life and martyrdom inspired early Christian communities in Mesopotamia and beyond. On his feast day, churches remember his courage through liturgical services, hymns, and readings from the Acts of the Martyrs. The commemoration invites the faithful to reflect on unwavering devotion and the cost of discipleship.
Abibus of Edessa
Albert the Great
Feast of Saint Albert the Great, celebrated in honor of the 13th-century scholar, philosopher, and patron saint of natural scientists.
Saint Albert the Great was a Dominican friar and Bishop of Regensburg, renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge and promotion of Aristotelian philosophy in medieval Europe. He wrote extensively on natural sciences, theology, and logic, laying groundwork for later thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas. Canonized in 1931, he is celebrated for integrating scientific inquiry with spiritual reflection. On his feast day, academic institutions and churches honor his legacy through lectures, prayer services, and exhibitions of medieval manuscripts. His life exemplifies the harmony of faith and intellectual pursuit, inspiring students and scholars today.
Albert the Great
BlessedCaius of Korea
Commemoration of Blessed Caius of Korea, one of the Korean martyrs who gave his life for his Christian faith in the 19th century.
Blessed Caius of Korea was a 19th-century layman who was martyred during the persecution of Christians in Korea. He is remembered for his courage and steadfastness in the face of torture and death. The Catholic Church beatified him for his witness to the Gospel and his dedication to spreading the faith. On his feast day, Korean Catholic communities gather for special Masses, processions, and prayer services. His story serves as a powerful reminder of religious freedom and the sacrifices made by early Korean Christians.
Blessed
Caius of Korea
Didier of Cahors
Feast day of Saint Didier of Cahors, a 7th-century bishop known for his wisdom and leadership in the Frankish church.
Saint Didier (Desiderius) of Cahors served as bishop in medieval France during the 7th century. He was renowned for his piety, charitable works, and advocacy for peace among local rulers. Historical accounts attribute numerous miracles to him, including healing the sick and protecting the vulnerable. On his feast day, the faithful commemorate his life through church services, charitable activities, and reflections on ecclesiastical leadership. His legacy endures in the town of Cahors, where local traditions honor his memory with cultural events and pilgrimages.
Didier of Cahors
Francis AsburyandGeorge Whitefield(Episcopal Church)
Memorial of Francis Asbury and George Whitefield in the Episcopal Church, honoring two influential Methodist leaders and missionaries.
Francis Asbury and George Whitefield were pivotal figures in the Methodist revival of the 18th century. Whitefield was a charismatic preacher who helped spark the Great Awakening in Britain and the American colonies, while Asbury became one of the first bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. Their evangelistic zeal, itinerant preaching, and organizational skills shaped the growth of Methodism on both sides of the Atlantic. The Episcopal Church commemorates their contributions with joint services, historical readings, and hymns from the early Methodist tradition. Their lives exemplify dedication to spiritual renewal and cross-cultural mission.
Francis Asbury
George Whitefield
Episcopal Church
Blessed Hugh Faringdon
Feast of Blessed Hugh Faringdon, an English abbot and martyr during the Reformation under King Henry VIII.
Blessed Hugh Faringdon was the last abbot of Reading Abbey who opposed King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. Arrested and tried for treason, he was executed in 1539 and later beatified for his steadfast faith. His feast day commemorates his courage, commitment to monastic life, and resistance to religious reform imposed by the crown. Churches and monastic communities honor his memory with special liturgies, prayers for religious freedom, and lectures on the history of the English Reformation. His legacy highlights the complex interplay of faith, politics, and conscience in tumultuous times.
Blessed Hugh Faringdon
Malo
The feast of Saint Malo honors the 6th-century Breton saint, founder of the city of Saint-Malo in modern-day France.
Saint Malo, also known as Maclovius, was a Welsh monk who became one of the seven founding saints of Brittany in the 6th century. He established a monastic community near the Rance estuary, which grew into the fortified port town named after him. His missionary work, leadership, and miracles are celebrated on his feast day with pilgrimages to the cathedral and local chapels. The city of Saint-Malo holds special masses, processions, and cultural festivals, including maritime-themed events reflecting the town's heritage. Pilgrims and visitors partake in guided tours of medieval sites and attend scholarly lectures on early Breton Christianity.
Malo
Mechell
Feast day commemorating Saint Mechell, a Celtic Christian saint venerated in parts of Wales.
Saint Mechell is a little-known figure in the early Celtic Church.
According to tradition, he lived as a hermit and established small Christian communities.
On his feast day, worshippers gather in churches dedicated to his name to offer prayers and hymns.
Some parishes mark the occasion with processions and blessings, honoring his legacy of piety.
While few historical records survive, Mechell remains a symbol of devotion and asceticism.
The celebration invites reflection on the roots of early medieval Christianity in the British Isles.
Visitors may undertake pilgrimages to sites associated with the saint, keeping local customs alive.
This day highlights the enduring influence of lesser-known saints on regional cultural identity.
Mechell
November 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Commemorates the saints and feasts designated for November 15 in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar.
Orthodox believers observe the day with special liturgical services and veneration of icons.
On November 15, the Eastern Orthodox Church honors a selection of saints, martyrs, and events listed in its liturgical calendar.
Services on this day often include the Divine Liturgy, where believers receive Holy Communion.
The day’s hymns and readings reflect the virtues and teachings of the commemorated saints.
Orthodox faithful attend church, participate in processions, and offer prayers before icons.
Some traditions include blessing of loaves and wine in remembrance of ancient practices.
The liturgical texts for the day feature troparia and kontakia specific to the saints celebrated.
Observance fosters a sense of continuity with the historic church and its early martyrs.
Iconography and sermons highlight the examples of faith and martyrdom set by the honored figures.
November 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)