Barbaros the Myrrhstreamer

Venerable Barbaros the Myrrhstreamer, the former robber who became an ascetic in Aetolia.

Barbaros was a North African who came to Greece with pirates and lived as a brigand in the region of Aetolia. Moved to repentance, tradition relates, he confessed to a priest and spent years in penance in the wilderness, walking on all fours as a beast.

He was killed by hunters who mistook him for an animal, and after his death fragrant myrrh flowed from his body. He is honored in Aetolia and Epirus.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Barbaros the Myrrhstreamer is commemorated on May 15. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 28 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Varvaros

Also commemorated on May 15

• 

  Pachomios the Great

  Venerable, Παχώμιος

  Founder of communal monasticism in Egypt.

  Name days: Pachomios

• Achillios of Larisa

  Hierarch, Αχίλλιος Λαρίσης

  Saint Achillios, Bishop of Larisa, wonderworker and father of the First Ecumenical Council.

  Name days: Achillios, Achilleas, Achilles, Achillefs, Achileas

• Andrew the Hermit

  Venerable, Ανδρέας ο Ερημίτης

  Venerable Andrew the Hermit and Wonderworker of Epirus.

• Kale the Righteous

  Holy Woman, Καλή

  Venerable Kale, a righteous woman remembered in the synaxarion.

  Name days: Kali, Kale

• Silvanos of Tabennisi

  Venerable, Σιλβανός ο Ταβεννησιώτης

  Venerable Silvanos of Tabennisi, the actor who became a model of repentance under Saint Pachomios.

  Name days: Silvanos, Silvanus

• Panegyrios of Cyprus

  Venerable, Πανηγύριος

  Venerable Panegyrios the Wonderworker of Cyprus.

  Name days: Panigyrios