THE SYNAXIS OF THE HOLY, GLORIOUS, AND ALL-FAMED TWELVE APOSTLES

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

On the 30th of June, our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious, and All-famed Twelve
Apostles.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Third Tone

O HOLY APOSTLES, intercede with the Merciful God that He
grant unto our souls forgiveness of offences.

Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone

NOW Christ God, the Rock, doth glorify the rock of faith
illustriously, the first of the disciples’ choir, with great
Paul together with all the company of the Twelve today;
As we keep their memory with faith, we glorify Him that
glorified them all.

Although each of the Twelve Apostles has his own Feast Day during the year, he Church has set aside this day for a General Feast of all of them together, including Saint Paul. The names and Feast Days of the Twelve are:

Peter — June 29th and January 16th
Andrew – November 30th.
James the Son of Zebedee–April 30th.
John the Theologian – September 26th and May 8th.
Philip – November 14th.
Bartholomew – June 11th and August 25th.
Thomas – October 6th.
Matthew the Evangelist – November 16th.
James the Son of Alpheus – October 9th.
Thaddeus (or Jude the brother of James) – June 19th.
Simon the Zealot – May 10th.
Matthias – August 9th.
Paul – June 29th.

Let us also remember hre how these most holy and selfless men in the history of the world died and finished their earthly course:

Peter was crucified upside-down.
Andrew was crucified.
James was beheaded.
John the Theologian died in a wondrous way.
Philip was crucified.
Bartholomew was crucified, then flayed and beheaded.
Thomas was pierced with five spears.
Matthew was burned by fire.
James the Son of Alphaeus was crucified.
Thaddeus was crucified.
Simon the Zealot was crucified.
Matthias was stoned, then beheaded with an axe when dead.
Paul was beheaded.
[Source: The Prologue from Ochrid]

____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George