Maximos the Confessor

Theologian and confessor who defended Orthodoxy.

January 21

St. Maximos the Confessor was a monk and theologian of the seventh century. Leaving high office in Constantinople for the monastic life, he became the great champion of the truth that Christ, being true God and true man, possesses both a divine and a human will, standing almost alone against the Monothelite heresy supported by emperor and patriarch.

For his confession he was tried, mutilated, and exiled, dying in banishment; the Church soon vindicated his teaching. His profound writings on the spiritual life are treasured to this day. He is commemorated on January 21.

August 13

St. Maximos the Confessor was a monk and theologian of the seventh century. Leaving high office in Constantinople for the monastic life, he became the great defender of the true faith against monothelitism, teaching that Christ, being true God and true man, possesses both a divine and a human will. For refusing to keep silence he was tried, mutilated, and exiled, dying in banishment in 662.

His profound writings on theology and the spiritual life remain treasures of the Church. His principal feast is January 21; on August 13 the Church commemorates the translation of his relics.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Maximos the Confessor is commemorated on January 21. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on February 3 of the civil calendar.

On the New Calendar, Maximos the Confessor is commemorated on August 13. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on August 26 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Maximos, Makis, Max, Maksim, Maxim, Maximus

Also commemorated on January 21

• Neophytos the Martyr

  Martyr, Νεόφυτος

  Holy Martyr Neophytos of Nicaea, a youth martyred at fifteen.

  Name days: Neophytos, Neofytos, Neophyte, Neofitos

• Agnes of Rome

  Holy Woman, Αγνή

  Holy Virgin Martyr Agnes of Rome.

  Name days: Agnes, Agni, Agne, Agnessa, Agnese

• Maximos the Greek

  Venerable, Μάξιμος ο Γραικός

  Venerable Maximos the Greek, Athonite scholar and confessor in Russia.

• Eugenios of Trebizond and those with him

  Martyr, Ευγένιος Τραπεζούντος

  Holy Martyrs Eugenios, Candidus, Valerian and Aquila of Trebizond.

  Name days: Eugenios, Evgenios, Eugene

• Patroklos the Martyr

  Martyr, Πάτροκλος

  Holy Martyr Patroklos of Troyes.

  Name days: Patroklos, Patroclus

• Zosimas of Syracuse

  Hierarch, Ζώσιμος Συρακουσών

  St. Zosimas, Bishop of Syracuse.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.