Isaac the Syrian

St. Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Nineveh, teacher of the spiritual life.

January 28

St. Isaac the Syrian lived in the seventh century and was for a short time Bishop of Nineveh before withdrawing to the solitary life in the mountains. His ascetical homilies, translated into Greek by the monks of St. Sabbas, became one of the most treasured spiritual books of the Orthodox Church.

He is commemorated on January 28 together with St. Ephrem the Syrian.

May 30

St. Isaac the Syrian lived in the seventh century. A monk from his youth, he was consecrated Bishop of Nineveh, but after only a short time he laid aside the episcopate and withdrew into the desert, giving himself wholly to stillness, prayer, and the study of the Scriptures until blindness and old age overtook him.

His Ascetical Homilies, born of that hidden life, speak of the mercy of God and the humble heart with a depth that has nourished monks and laity alike for centuries. He is commemorated on May 30.

September 28

St. Isaac the Syrian was born in the region of Qatar in the seventh century and became a monk, and for a short time bishop of Nineveh, before withdrawing to the mountains of Persia to live as a hermit. His ascetical homilies, translated into Greek at the Lavra of St. Sabbas, became one of the most cherished spiritual books of the Orthodox Church, teaching the love of God for all creation and the way of humility and prayer.

The Greek Synaxarion keeps his memory on September 28; he is also honored on January 28.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Isaac the Syrian is commemorated on January 28. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on February 10 of the civil calendar.

On the New Calendar, Isaac the Syrian is commemorated on May 30. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on June 12 of the civil calendar.

On the New Calendar, Isaac the Syrian is commemorated on September 28. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 11 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Isaak, Isaac

Also commemorated on January 28

• 

  Ephrem the Syrian

  Venerable, Εφραίμ

  Poet, theologian and hymn-writer of the Syrian church.

  Name days: Efraim, Ephraim

• Palladios of Antioch

  Venerable, Παλλάδιος

  Venerable Palladios the Hermit of Syria.

• James the Ascetic

  Venerable, Ιάκωβος ο Ασκητής

  Venerable James the Ascetic of Porphyreon, who repented of grave sin.

• Charis the Martyr

  Holy Woman, Χάρις

  Holy Martyr Charis.

  Name days: Charis, Chara, Hara, Charikleia

• Theodosios of Totma

  Venerable, Θεοδόσιος της Τότμα

  Venerable Theodosios of Totma, founder of the Spaso-Sumorin Monastery.

• Ephraim of Novy Torg

  Venerable, Εφραίμ ο εκ Ρωσίας

  Venerable Ephraim the Wonderworker of Novy Torg.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.