Kosmas the Melodist

Saint Kosmas the Hymnographer, Bishop of Maiuma, foster brother of Saint John of Damascus.

Kosmas was an orphan adopted by the father of Saint John of Damascus and educated with him by a learned monk from Calabria. Both entered the Lavra of Saint Sabbas, where Kosmas composed canons for the great feasts, including those of the Nativity, Theophany and Holy Week.

Around 743 he was made Bishop of Maiuma near Gaza, where he reposed in old age.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Kosmas the Melodist is commemorated on October 14. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 27 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on October 14

• 

  Nazarios, Gervase, Prothase

  Martyr, Ναζάριος

  Holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervase, and Prothasius.

  Name days: Nazarios

• Paraskevi the New of Epivates

  Holy Woman, Παρασκευή η Επιβατηνή

  Venerable Paraskevi the New of Epivates, whose relics rest at Iasi in Romania.

  Name days: Petka

• Silvanos of Gaza

  Hierarch, Σιλβανός ο Ιερομάρτυς

  Holy Hieromartyr Silvanos of Gaza, beheaded in the copper mines of Palestine.

• Ignatios Agallianos

  Hierarch, Ιγνάτιος ο Αγαλλιανός

  Saint Ignatios Agallianos, Archbishop of Methymna on Lesbos, wonderworker.

• Nicholas Sviatosha

  Venerable, Νικόλαος ο εν τω Σπηλαίω

  Venerable Nicholas Sviatosha, Prince of Chernigov, monk of the Kiev Caves.