Hilarion the Great

Venerable Hilarion the Great, father of Palestinian monasticism.

St. Hilarion the Great was born near Gaza in Palestine at the end of the third century. Inspired by the example of St. Anthony the Great, whom he visited in the Egyptian desert, he took up the ascetic life in his homeland and became the father of monasticism in Palestine, drawing many disciples by his fasting, humility, and gift of wonderworking.

Fleeing the fame of his miracles, he wandered from land to land seeking stillness, and reposed in Cyprus in old age. He is commemorated on October 21.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Hilarion the Great is commemorated on October 21. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on November 3 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Ilarion, Ilarionas

Also commemorated on October 21

• Philotheos of Athos

  Venerable, Φιλόθεος ο Αγιορείτης

  Venerable Philotheos of Dionysiou, ascetic of Mount Athos.

  Name days: Philotheos, Filotheos, Philotheus

• Theodote and Socrates

  Holy Woman, Θεοδότη και Σωκράτης

  Holy Martyrs Theodote and Socrates the Presbyter of Ancyra.

  Name days: Sokratis, Socrates, Theodoti, Theodote

• John of Monemvasia

  Martyr, Ιωάννης ο εκ Μονεμβασίας

  Holy New Martyr John of Monemvasia, who died for Christ in Larissa in 1773.

• Christodoulos of Patmos (Translation of Relics)

  Venerable, Χριστόδουλος ο εν Πάτμω

  Translation of the relics of Venerable Christodoulos, founder of the Monastery of Saint John on Patmos.

• Gaius, Dasius and Zotikos

  Martyr, Γάιος, Δάσιος και Ζωτικός

  Holy Martyrs Gaius, Dasius and Zotikos, drowned at Nicomedia.

• Ursula the Virgin

  Holy Woman, Ούρσουλα

  Holy Virgin Martyr Ursula of Cologne and her companions.

  Name days: Ursula

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.