Memorial of Saints (January 15)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Paul the First Hermit, confessor
• Maur, abbot, and Placid
• Macarius the Elder
• Isidore of Alexandria
• John Calybites
• Ita of Killeedy, virgin and abbess
• Bonet or Bonitus, bishop
• Ceowulf

St. Paul the Hermit (ca. 233-342 A.D.), also known as Paul of Thebes, is traditionally regarded as the first hermit in Christian history. He fled to the desert during a period of persecution (probably during the reign of Emperor Decius) and lived there to well more than one hundred years old. He is one of the centenerian-saints featured in this Blog.

St. Macarius the Elder or Macarius the Great (ca. 300-390 A.D.) was born in Upper Egypt and became a cattle-herder in his youth. He became a hermit and practiced the greatest austerities. He was accused of assaulting a woman but proved his innocence and became a hero for his patience and humility during that trying ordeal. To escape the adulation, he retired to the desert of Skete, was ordained, and was much sought after for his spiritual wisdom. He lived in Skete for sixty years more and died there. Learn more

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [January 15]

• Paul of Thebes and John the "Tent-dweller"

The feast of St. Paul the Hermit or Paul of Thebes, is commemorated in both the Roman Catholic Church and in the Byzantine Calendar on this day, January 15. He is celebrated in the East through the Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches and the Coptic and Armenian rites.

January 15 in the history of Christianity

January 15 is the day of birth of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968 A.D.). The Episcopal Church in the United States of America commemorate Dr. King's day of assassination on April 4.