Christianfeast day:
108 Martyrs of World War II, Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius, BlessedHildegard Burjan, Enmegahbowh(Episcopal Church), Eskil, First Ecumenical Council(Lutheran), Gaspar Bertoni, John of Sahagún, Onuphrius, Pope Leo III, Ternan, June 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day honoring various saints and martyrs, including the 108 Martyrs of World War II and other figures.
This feast day brings together the commemoration of multiple saints and martyrs from Christian history.
Included are the 108 Martyrs of World War II, Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius, and Blessed Hildegard Burjan among others.
Eastern Orthodox liturgics observe several saints on June 12, while Lutherans and the Episcopal Church honor the First Ecumenical Council and figures like Enmegahbowh.
Devotees attend special church services, prayers, and processions to reflect on the faith and sacrifice of these holy individuals.
The day emphasizes ecumenical recognition across denominations and the enduring legacy of Christian witness throughout history.
Observances vary by region, with hymn singing, readings, and veneration of relics forming part of the liturgical celebrations.
feast day
108 Martyrs of World War II
Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius
Blessed
Hildegard Burjan
Enmegahbowh
Episcopal Church
Eskil
First Ecumenical Council
Lutheran
Gaspar Bertoni
John of Sahagún
Onuphrius
Pope Leo III
Ternan
June 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
108 Martyrs of World War II
Commemorates the 108 clergy and laypeople martyred for their faith in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II.
On June 12, the Catholic Church honors the 108 Martyrs of World War II, including priests, nuns, and lay volunteers who were killed between 1939 and 1945 for resisting Nazi oppression. They suffered arrest, torture, and execution in concentration camps, refusing to renounce their beliefs. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1999, these martyrs symbolize courage, compassion, and unwavering faith under persecution. Their diverse backgrounds—ranging from scholars to farmers—united in solidarity with the oppressed. This observance invites reflection on human rights, moral conviction, and the cost of freedom.
108 Martyrs of World War II
Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius
Honors the early Christian martyrs Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor, and Nazarius for their steadfast faith and sacrifice.
Saints Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor, and Nazarius are commemorated on June 12 by various Christian traditions. Believed to have been soldiers or missionaries, they were executed for preaching the Gospel in the early Church. Though historical details vary, their unwavering commitment under persecution inspired generations of believers. Their relics were venerated in Lodi, Italy, and other locales, fostering devotion throughout the medieval period. This feast day celebrates their courage, reminding the faithful of the power of conviction even in the face of death.
Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius
BlessedHildegard Burjan
Celebrates Blessed Hildegard Burjan, Austrian social reformer and founder of the Sisters of Caritas dedicated to aiding the poor and marginalized.
Born in 1883, Hildegard Burjan overcame personal health challenges to champion social justice and women’s rights in Austria. In 1919 she founded the Christian-Social Party and established the Congregation of the Sisters of Caritas Socialis to support vulnerable communities. Her vision combined faith with practical charity, providing education, healthcare, and housing to those in need. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1991, her legacy endures through charitable works worldwide. This observance on June 12 honors her commitment to faith-driven service, inspiring acts of compassion and solidarity.
Blessed
Hildegard Burjan
Enmegahbowh(Episcopal Church)
Honors Enmegahbowh, the first Native American ordained in the Episcopal Church and missionary among the Ojibwe.
Enmegahbowh (c.1820–1902) became the first Native American ordained in the Episcopal Church on June 12. Born among the Ojibwe in Canada, he embraced Christianity and devoted his life to mission work, translation, and education. He established schools and churches, advocating for indigenous rights and cultural understanding. Celebrated for his humility, devotion, and peacemaking spirit, he is commemorated in the Episcopal liturgical calendar. This day invites reflection on cultural reconciliation and the diverse heritage of the Church.
Enmegahbowh
Episcopal Church
Eskil
Commemorates Saint Eskil, an Anglo-Saxon missionary bishop who brought Christianity to parts of Sweden and died as a martyr.
Saint Eskil was an 11th-century English monk and missionary who labored to evangelize the Lake Mälaren region of Sweden. Serving as bishop in Strängnäs, he established churches and nurtured fledgling Christian communities. According to tradition, he was martyred by pagan raiders, leaving behind a legacy of evangelistic zeal. His relics were venerated in Tuna and Södermanland for centuries, inspiring pilgrimage and devotion. Celebrated on June 12, his feast day honors missionary courage and the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia.
Eskil
First Ecumenical Council(Lutheran)
Marks the convocation of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, a foundational gathering for defining Christian doctrine.
On June 12, Lutheran churches commemorate the opening of the First Ecumenical Council in 325 AD at Nicaea. Called by Emperor Constantine, this council addressed the Arian controversy and affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity through the Nicene Creed. Its decisions shaped orthodox Christian theology and ecclesiastical structures for centuries to come. The observance highlights the historical process of doctrinal development and the pursuit of church unity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of theological dialogue and shared belief in the Christian tradition.
First Ecumenical Council
Lutheran
Gaspar Bertoni
Honors Saint Gaspar Bertoni, Italian priest and founder of the Stigmatines dedicated to education and spiritual formation.
Saint Gaspar Bertoni (1777–1853) was an Italian diocesan priest who devoted his life to pastoral care and youth education. In 1816 he founded the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata, known as the Stigmatines, focusing on missionary work, retreats, and seminarian formation. He championed devotion to the Sacred Wounds of Christ as a source of spiritual renewal and compassion. Canonized in 1989, his example endures through his congregation’s global ministries. June 12 celebrates his zeal for evangelization and compassionate service.
Gaspar Bertoni
John of Sahagún
Celebrates Saint John of Sahagún, a Spanish Augustinian friar renowned for his preaching and compassion for the poor.
Saint John of Sahagún (1430–1479) was an Augustinian friar in Salamanca, Spain, known for his powerful sermons and dedication to the marginalized. He mediated civic disputes, preached against corruption, and established charitable institutions for the needy. Renowned for his humility and reported miracles, he attracted followers from all social classes. Canonized in 1888, his feast day on June 12 honors his legacy of social reform and pastoral care. The commemoration encourages reflection on the role of faith in public life and service to others.
John of Sahagún
Onuphrius
Honors Saint Onuphrius, an Egyptian desert hermit whose life of solitude and prayer inspired Christian monasticism.
Saint Onuphrius of Egypt lived as a hermit in the deserts of Upper Thebaid during the 4th or 5th century. Renowned for his austere lifestyle, he subsisted on roots and rainwater, dedicating himself to continuous prayer and contemplation. His story, recorded by Saint Jerome, became a symbol of the eremitical tradition and spiritual perseverance. In Western liturgical calendars, he is commemorated on June 12. This feast day invites believers to reflect on the call to silence, asceticism, and intimate communion with God.
Onuphrius
Pope Leo III
Commemorates Pope Leo III, who shaped medieval Christendom and crowned Charlemagne as Emperor.
Pope Leo III (died 816) served as Bishop of Rome during a pivotal era in European history. He strengthened papal authority, defended the Church against internal corruption, and forged an alliance with Charlemagne. On Christmas Day in 800, he crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans, laying the groundwork for the Holy Roman Empire. Leo’s pontificate advanced missionary efforts and ecclesiastical reform across Europe. Celebrated on June 12, his feast day honors his contributions to Christian unity and Western political order.
Pope Leo III
Ternan
Feast day of Saint Ternan, a 5th-century Scottish bishop renowned for his missionary work among the Picts.
Saint Ternan, often called \"Bishop of the Picts,\" lived in the 5th century and is celebrated for spreading Christianity in eastern Scotland.
Born near Aberdeen, he studied under Saint Palladius and later founded a monastery at Abernethy, which became a center for faith and learning.
On June 12, churches honoring Saint Ternan hold liturgical services, including hymns, readings, and prayers commemorating his ministry and miracles.
Legend credits him with baptizing thousands and fostering peace among Pictish tribes through his compassionate leadership.
His legacy endures in place names and churches across Scotland, where faithful reflect on his dedication to education, humility, and missionary zeal.
Ternan