Christianfeast day:
Asterius of Ostia, Berthold of Parma, BlessedCharles of Austria(Roman Catholic Church), Fintán of Taghmon, Hilarion, John of Bridlington, Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena, Leticia, Malchus of Syria, Peter Yu Tae-chol, Severinus of Bordeaux, Tuda of Lindisfarne, Ursula, Viator of Lyons, October 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
October 21 is marked in the Christian liturgical calendar with feast days for various saints across multiple traditions.
On October 21, both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches commemorate a diverse group of saints and blessed figures. Observances include special masses, liturgies and icon veneration dedicated to each saint. Key figures remembered on this day include Saint Asterius of Ostia, Blessed Charles of Austria and Saint Hilarion, among others. The Eastern Orthodox tradition also honors saints such as Severinus of Bordeaux and Tuda of Lindisfarne. These feast days reflect the rich tapestry of Christian hagiography and offer the faithful opportunities for reflection on the virtues and legacies of these holy men and women.
feast day
Asterius of Ostia
Berthold of Parma
Charles of Austria
Roman Catholic Church
Fintán of Taghmon
Hilarion
John of Bridlington
Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena
Leticia
Malchus of Syria
Peter Yu Tae-chol
Severinus of Bordeaux
Tuda of Lindisfarne
Ursula
Viator of Lyons
October 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Birth of the Báb (2017)(Baháʼí Faith)
The Birth of the Báb celebrates the appearance of the Báb, the herald of the Baháʼí Faith.
Observed by Baháʼís each October 21, the Birth of the Báb commemorates the 1819 birth of Siyyid ‘Alí Muḥammad Shírází, who declared himself the Báb and paved the way for the Baháʼí Faith. One of nine holy days on which work and school are suspended in many Baháʼí communities, the occasion is marked by devotional gatherings featuring readings from sacred texts, prayers, music and historical reflections on the Báb’s life and mission. Community feasts, charitable initiatives and cultural programs foster unity and spiritual renewal. The day emphasizes themes of sacrifice, equality and the oneness of humanity as taught by the Báb.
Birth of the Báb (2017)
Baháʼí Faith
Asterius of Ostia
The feast day of Saint Asterius of Ostia commemorates an early Christian bishop and martyr celebrated on October 21.
Saint Asterius of Ostia was a 3rd-century bishop known for his pastoral leadership and steadfast faith during times of persecution. According to tradition, he shepherded the Christian community in Ostia, the port city of ancient Rome, before suffering martyrdom under imperial oppression. His feast day on October 21 is observed with special liturgical services, prayers and readings recounting his courage and devotion. In art and iconography, Asterius is often depicted in episcopal vestments, symbolizing his episcopacy and sacrifice. This celebration invites the faithful to reflect on the challenges faced by early Christians and to draw inspiration from Asterius’s example of endurance.
Asterius of Ostia
Berthold of Parma
Feast day commemorating Blessed Berthold of Parma, a 13th-century Franciscan tertiary famed for his humility and miraculous healings.
Blessed Berthold of Parma was a Franciscan tertiary from 13th-century Italy.
He embraced a life of solitude, prayer, and service to the poor.
Credited with numerous healings, he became a sought-after intercessor for the sick.
After his death, pilgrims flocked to his tomb, where many reported miracles.
His beatification recognizes his enduring legacy of charity and devotion.
His feast on October 21 invites reflection on simple holiness and compassionate care.
Berthold of Parma
BlessedCharles of Austria(Roman Catholic Church)
Feast day honoring Blessed Charles of Austria, the last Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, beatified for his steadfast faith and peacemaking efforts.
Born Archduke Karl Franz Joseph in 1887, Charles ascended the throne in 1916.
He sought a peaceful resolution to World War I and championed social reforms.
Exiled after the empire's collapse, he continued to care for the poor and wounded.
Married to Zita of Bourbon-Parma, he supported his family in hardship and penance.
Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004, he is venerated for his humility and devotion.
His feast on October 21 celebrates his life of service, compassion, and courage in times of turmoil.
Charles of Austria
Roman Catholic Church
Fintán of Taghmon
Commemorates St. Fintán of Taghmon, a 7th-century Irish monk and founder of the monastic community at Taghmon.
St. Fintán, also known as Munnu, was born in Leinster, Ireland, in the early 600s.
A disciple of St. Columba, he established the monastery of Taghmon in County Wexford.
Under his guidance, the community became renowned for scholarship and missionary work.
Miracles attributed to his intercession include cures of the sick and protection from danger.
He is celebrated for his humility, teaching, and dedication to spreading the Gospel.
His feast on October 21 honors his contributions to Irish monasticism and faith formation.
Fintán of Taghmon
Hilarion
Feast day of St. Hilarion the Great, a pioneering 4th-century hermit and founder of monasticism in the Holy Land.
St. Hilarion was born in Tabatha, near Gaza, around 291 AD.
Inspired by the example of St. Anthony the Great, he embraced a life of rigorous asceticism.
He spent decades as a hermit in the desert, practicing prayer, fasting, and solitude.
Stories of his holiness and miracle-working attracted disciples to form monastic communities.
His approach shaped the development of Eastern monastic traditions along the Mediterranean.
His feast on October 21 invites reflection on the call to contemplative prayer and self-denial.
Hilarion
John of Bridlington
Commemorates St. John of Bridlington, a 14th-century English Augustinian canon renowned for his piety and miracles.
Born in 1320 in the town of Bridlington, England, John joined the Augustinian Priory there.
He served as a canon, known for his gentle humility, charity, and strict observance of his rule.
Miracles both during his life and after his death, including healings and prophecies, were attributed to him.
He died in 1379 and was canonized by Pope Boniface IX in 1401, the first English saint after Dunstan.
Pilgrims visited his tomb in Bridlington Priory, making it a center of devotion.
His feast on October 21 celebrates his legacy of pastoral care and sanctity.
John of Bridlington
Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena
Feast day of St. Laura Montoya, known as Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena, the first Colombian saint and missionary to indigenous communities.
St. Laura Montoya was born in 1874 in Jericó, Colombia, as María Laura de Jesús.
After a vision, she founded the Institute of Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Mary and Saint Catherine of Siena.
She dedicated her life to education and evangelization among indigenous peoples of Colombia.
Her work emphasized cultural respect, dignity, and social justice for marginalized communities.
Pope Francis canonized her in 2013, recognizing her pioneering missionary spirit.
Her feast on October 21 honors her legacy of intercultural dialogue and compassionate ministry.
Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena
Leticia
Feast day of St. Leticia, a virgin martyr venerated for her unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution.
According to tradition, St. Leticia was a young Christian in the early 4th century under Diocletian’s persecution.
Refusing to renounce her faith, she endured imprisonment and torture with steadfast resolve.
Her martyrdom inspired fellow believers and strengthened the resolve of persecuted communities.
Relics attributed to her were brought to Spain, where she became a patroness of local devotion.
Annual processions and prayers commemorate her example of youthful bravery and spiritual fortitude.
Her feast on October 21 invites reflection on steadfast faith amid trials and tribulation.
Leticia
Malchus of Syria
Commemorates St. Malchus of Syria, a 5th-century hermit disciple of St. Simeon Stylites known for his asceticism.
St. Malchus lived in the region of Edessa during the 5th century and became a devoted ascetic.
He embraced a life of solitude under the guidance of St. Simeon Stylites, living atop a pillar.
His extreme fasting and prayer made him a model of the pillar hermit tradition in the East.
Accounts of his trials, including temptations and visions, highlight his spiritual endurance.
His story was popularized by Palladius in his ‘Lausaic History’, inspiring later monastics.
His feast on October 21 honors the legacy of early Christian asceticism and spiritual perseverance.
Malchus of Syria
Peter Yu Tae-chol
Feast day of Peter Yu Tae-chol, a Korean child martyr who gave his life for his Catholic faith at a young age.
Peter Yu Tae-chol was born in 1826 in Korea amid intense persecution of Christians.
Baptized at a young age, he served as a catechist, teaching the faith despite danger.
At just thirteen years old, he was arrested and condemned for refusing to renounce Christianity.
He endured torture with remarkable courage before being executed in 1839.
Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984 as one of the 103 Korean Martyrs, he symbolizes youthful fortitude.
His feast on October 21 honors his sacrifice and inspires commitment to faith under persecution.
Peter Yu Tae-chol