John of Damascus

Venerable John of Damascus, theologian, hymnographer and defender of the holy icons.

Venerable John was born in Damascus in the seventh century to a Christian family in the service of the caliph. Leaving the world, he became a monk of the Lavra of St. Sabas near Jerusalem, where he wrote his great works in defence of the holy icons and his summary of the Orthodox faith.

He is also one of the Church's greatest hymnographers, author of the Paschal canon and of many hymns still sung today. He reposed in peace in the eighth century.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, John of Damascus is commemorated on December 4. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on December 17 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Damaskinos

Also commemorated on December 4

• 

  Barbara the Great Martyr

  Martyr, Βαρβάρα η Μεγαλομάρτυς

  Great Martyr Barbara of Heliopolis, patron against sudden death.

  Name days: Varvara, Varoula, Babs, Barb, Barbie, Barbara

• Seraphim of Phanarion

  Hierarch, Σεραφείμ Φαναρίου

  Hieromartyr Seraphim, Archbishop of Phanarion and Neochorion in Thessaly.

  Name days: Serafeim, Seraphim, Serafim

• Juliana of Heliopolis

  Holy Woman, Ιουλιανή

  Holy Martyr Juliana, who suffered together with Saint Barbara.

• John of Polybotum

  Hierarch, Ιωάννης Πολυβότου

  John the Wonderworker, Bishop of Polybotum in Phrygia, confessor of the holy icons.

• Christodoulos and Christodouli

  Martyr, Χριστόδουλος και Χριστοδούλη

  Holy Martyrs Christodoulos and Christodouli the Virgin.