Christianfeast day:
Abadios, BlessedBasil Moreau, Eustochia Smeralda Calafato, Euthymius the Great, Fabian, Manchán of Lemanaghan, Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception Brando, Richard Rolle(Church of England), Sebastian, Stephen Min Kuk-ka(one of TheKorean Martyrs), January 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day commemorates several saints and martyrs observed in various denominations on January 20.
On January 20, multiple Christian traditions honor a collection of saints and martyrs, including Abadios, Blessed Basil Moreau, Eustochia Smeralda Calafato, and others. Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox believers, and Anglican communities hold liturgical services, prayers, and readings dedicated to each figure’s life and witness. These observances reflect on the spiritual legacies of those who exemplified faith through teaching, charitable works, or martyrdom. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the date also includes specific liturgical texts and hymns for the day. The feast unites diverse Christian histories, from medieval Italy to modern Korea, in shared remembrance.
feast day
Abadios
Blessed
Basil Moreau
Eustochia Smeralda Calafato
Euthymius the Great
Fabian
Manchán of Lemanaghan
Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception Brando
Richard Rolle
Church of England
Sebastian
Stephen Min Kuk-ka
Korean Martyrs
January 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Abadios
Abadios
BlessedBasil Moreau
Feast day of Blessed Basil Moreau commemorates the French priest who founded the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Blessed Basil Moreau (1799–1873) was a French Catholic priest who established the Congregation of Holy Cross and the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross. His feast day on January 20 celebrates his dedication to education, missionary work, and the spiritual formation of young people. Congregations worldwide mark the day with Masses, reflections on his writings, and community service projects inspired by his commitment to faith and charity. The observance highlights Moreau’s vision of blending contemplation with active service in the Church.
Blessed
Basil Moreau
Eustochia Smeralda Calafato
The feast day of Saint Eustochia Smeralda Calafato honors the humble Italian nun known for her piety and charitable works.
Saint Eustochia Smeralda Calafato (1434–1485) was an Italian Poor Clare nun renowned for her deep devotion, humility, and dedication to the poor. Born in Messina, she entered religious life as a teenager and became abbess, guiding her community with compassion and discipline. Her feast day on January 20 is marked by prayer services, spiritual reflections, and charitable activities in her honor. Pilgrims visit her relics in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, seeking inspiration from her life of simplicity and service.
Eustochia Smeralda Calafato
Euthymius the Great
The feast day of Euthymius the Great commemorates the influential early Christian monk and hermit.
Saint Euthymius the Great (377–473) was a celebrated monk and ascetic who founded monasteries in the Judean desert and became a spiritual guide to pilgrims and fellow hermits. His feast day on January 20 is observed by Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches with liturgies that recount his miraculous deeds, teachings on humility, and efforts to combat heresy. Monasteries hold special services, processions, and readings of hagiographic texts, honoring his legacy of contemplative prayer and monastic discipline.
Euthymius the Great
Fabian
A feast day honoring Pope Fabian, a third-century martyr who led the early Christian Church.
Pope Fabian served as Bishop of Rome from 236 to 250 AD and is remembered for his leadership during the persecution under Emperor Decius. His administrative talents helped organize the growing Christian community, including the appointment of regional church officials. Tradition holds that he was martyred for his faith, though details of his death remain uncertain. He became a symbol of steadfast devotion and organizational skill. Every January 20, Christians around the world honor his legacy with liturgical celebrations. His feast day highlights themes of courage, service, and faith in adversity.
Fabian
Manchán of Lemanaghan
Feast day of Saint Manchán, a 7th-century Irish abbot known for his piety and miracles.
Saint Manchán founded the monastery at Lemanaghan in County Offaly, Ireland, where he dedicated his life to prayer, teaching, and healing. He was reputed to have performed miracles, including healings and weather control, which drew pilgrims to his community. His monastery became a center of learning and spiritual growth during the early medieval period. Manchán’s devotion to the Poor and his deep humility left a lasting impression on Irish monastic tradition. Each year on January 20, the faithful commemorate his life with prayers and reflections on his example of holiness. His story continues to inspire those seeking spiritual insight and community service.
Manchán of Lemanaghan
Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception Brando
Commemoration of Blessed Maria Cristina Brando, Italian foundress known for her charity to the poor.
Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception Brando was born in Naples in 1856 and dedicated her life to serving the sick and marginalized. In 1877, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition to care for orphans, the elderly, and the destitute. Her work expanded across Italy, emphasizing education, health care, and spiritual formation. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1994, she is remembered for her compassionate leadership and unwavering faith. Each January 20, communities honor her legacy by continuing her mission of charity and hope. Her feast day encourages acts of kindness and support for those in need.
Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception Brando
Richard Rolle(Church of England)
Commemoration of Richard Rolle, a 14th-century English hermit and mystic writer.
Richard Rolle was an English hermit, mystic, and writer born around 1300 who became known for his profound spiritual writings, including ‘The Fire of Love’ and ‘The Form of Living.’ After pursuing academic studies, he withdrew to a life of solitude, focusing on prayer and contemplation. Rolle’s emphasis on inner spiritual experience and union with God influenced later medieval mystics and devotional practices. He is celebrated in the Church of England on January 20, with readings from his works and reflections on his mystical insights. Rolle’s legacy continues to inspire seekers of deep contemplative prayer and devotion.
Richard Rolle
Church of England
Sebastian
Feast day of Saint Sebastian, a Roman soldier who became a renowned Christian martyr.
Saint Sebastian was a member of the Praetorian Guard in Rome who secretly aided Christians during Emperor Diocletian’s persecutions. When his faith was discovered, he was sentenced to death by being shot with arrows, though legend holds that he survived and later died from beatings. He became a symbol of courage and suffering, often invoked against plagues and illnesses. His image, typically bound and pierced by arrows, inspired countless works of art throughout history. January 20 marks his feast day, with liturgies that honor his bravery and steadfast faith. Pilgrims and believers reflect on themes of resilience and divine protection.
Sebastian
Stephen Min Kuk-ka(one of TheKorean Martyrs)
Commemoration of Stephen Min Kuk-ka, one of the Korean Martyrs who died for his faith.
Stephen Min Kuk-ka was a Korean layman and catechist martyred in 1840 for refusing to renounce Christianity during the Joseon Dynasty’s persecutions. Along with other believers, he was executed at Saenamteo and is honored among the 103 Korean Martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984. His steadfast witness under torture and death exemplifies courage and devotion in the face of oppression. Each January 20, the Church remembers his sacrifice and the broader legacy of Korean Christians who faced persecution. His feast day inspires contemporary believers to hold firm to their convictions and work for religious freedom.
Stephen Min Kuk-ka
Korean Martyrs
January 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Observance of various saints and martyrs in the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar.
On January 20, the Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates multiple saints and martyrs, including St. Euthymius the Great, St. Anastasius the Persian, and the Holy Unmercenary Healers Cyrus and John. The day’s services feature the Divine Liturgy, hymns, and readings that recount their lives and miracles. Faithful gather in churches to venerate icons and participate in prayers for healing and protection. This liturgical observance highlights the diversity of witness and the enduring power of faith across centuries. Special hymns and troparia emphasize themes of charity, endurance, and divine mercy. It is a day for spiritual reflection and communal celebration within the Orthodox tradition.
January 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)