Akakios of Cappadocia

Holy Martyr Akakios of Cappadocia.

The Holy Martyr Akakios was a young soldier from Cappadocia who suffered for Christ at the beginning of the fourth century, during the persecutions of the pagan emperors. Denounced as a Christian, he confessed the Lord boldly before his commanders, endured imprisonment and torture without wavering, and was beheaded at Byzantium.

He was venerated there from early times, and a church was raised in his honor in the city that became Constantinople. His faithful confession is kept in memory by the Church on May 7.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Akakios of Cappadocia is commemorated on May 7. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 20 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Akakios, Acacius

Also commemorated on May 7

• Sign of the Cross over Jerusalem

  Saint, Σημείο του Τιμίου Σταυρού

  Commemoration of the luminous Cross that appeared in the sky over Jerusalem in the reign of Constantius.

• Kodratos and Companions

  Martyr, Κοδράτος

  Holy Martyr Kodratos (Quadratus) and those with him, who suffered at Nicomedia under Decius.

  Name days: Kodratos, Quadratus

• Nilus the Myrrhstreamer

  Venerable, Νείλος ο Μυροβλύτης

  Finding of the relics of Venerable Nilus the Myrrhstreamer of Mount Athos.

  Name days: Neilos, Nilos, Nilus

• Nilus of Sora

  Venerable, Νείλος της Σόρα

  Venerable Nilus of Sora, founder of skete life in Russia and teacher of non-possession.

• John Psychaites

  Venerable, Ιωάννης ο Ψυχαΐτης

  Venerable John the Confessor, abbot of the Psycha Monastery in Constantinople during the Iconoclast persecution.

• Alexis Toth

  Saint, Αλέξιος Τοθ

  Saint Alexis Toth, confessor and defender of Orthodoxy in America.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.