Christianfeast day:
Africus, Agnes of Assisi, Edmund of Abingdon, Elfric of Abingdon, Eucherius of Lyon, Gertrude the Great(Roman Catholic Church), Giuseppe Moscati, Gobrain, Hugh of Lincoln, Margaret of Scotland, Matthew the Evangelist(Eastern Christianity), Othmar, Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, Roch Gonzalez, Juan de Castillo, and Alonso Rodriguez,SJ, November 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day honoring a diverse group of saints in Western and Eastern traditions.
On November 16th, Christian churches commemorate saints such as Africus, Agnes of Assisi, Edmund of Abingdon, and many others whose lives exemplified faith and charity. In the Roman Catholic tradition, this day highlights figures like Gertrude the Great and Margaret of Scotland, while Eastern Orthodox communities remember Matthew the Evangelist and Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn. Special liturgies, prayers, and devotional readings are held in churches worldwide. This observance underscores the interconnected histories of Western and Eastern Christianity and invites reflection on the virtues embodied by these saints. Faithful believers use the occasion to seek inspiration and guidance from the enduring legacies of these spiritual exemplars.
feast day
Africus
Agnes of Assisi
Edmund of Abingdon
Elfric of Abingdon
Eucherius of Lyon
Gertrude the Great
Roman Catholic Church
Giuseppe Moscati
Gobrain
Hugh of Lincoln
Margaret of Scotland
Matthew the Evangelist
Eastern Christianity
Othmar
Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn
Roch Gonzalez, Juan de Castillo, and Alonso Rodriguez
SJ
November 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Earliest day on whichDay of Repentance and Prayercan fall, while November 22 is the latest; celebrated 11 days beforeAdvent Sunday(Lutheran,Reformed (Calvinist)andUnitedProtestant churches,Saxony,Bavaria), and its related observance:
Volkstrauertag(Germany)
A Protestant church observance of repentance and prayer, often linked with Germany’s national day of mourning.
Observed on the Tuesday eleven days before the first Sunday of Advent in various Lutheran, Reformed, and United Protestant churches, the Day of Repentance and Prayer invites congregations to reflect on personal and communal sin through special services of confession and prayer. In Germany, this date is connected to Volkstrauertag, the national Day of Mourning for fallen soldiers and victims of oppression, marked by solemn ceremonies and wreath-laying at memorials. The movable feast emphasizes themes of humility, mourning, and hope, bridging church tradition with national remembrance. In regions like Saxony and Bavaria, church bells toll and choirs perform dirges, while sermons focus on repentance and reconciliation. The observance unites spiritual repentance with public commemoration, offering a moment of collective reflection before the Advent season.
Day of Repentance and Prayer
Advent Sunday
Lutheran
Reformed (Calvinist)
United
Saxony
Bavaria
Volkstrauertag
Africus
Africus
Agnes of Assisi
Agnes of Assisi
Edmund of Abingdon
Edmund of Abingdon
Elfric of Abingdon
Saint Elfric of Abingdon was the Archbishop of Canterbury in the late 10th century, noted for his scholarship and pastoral leadership. His feast day is observed on November 16.
Saint Elfric served as abbot of Abingdon before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury around the year 995. He was renowned for his learning in both theology and monastic practice, contributing to the reform of English monasteries. Elfric corresponded extensively with other church leaders and was respected for his gentle guidance and pastoral care. His writings and letters remain valuable sources for understanding the English Church at the turn of the first millennium. The feast of Saint Elfric commemorates his dedication to education, ecclesiastical reform, and the spiritual welfare of his flock.
Elfric of Abingdon
Eucherius of Lyon
Saint Eucherius of Lyon was a 5th-century bishop and theologian known for his ascetic life and scholarly works. His feast day falls on November 16.
Eucherius became Bishop of Lyon around 449 AD and was celebrated for his deep commitment to monastic ideals and theological reflection. He authored several treatises, including letters and meditations on spiritual life, which influenced Western monasticism. Born into a wealthy Gallo-Roman family, he renounced worldly comforts to embrace ascetic practices. Eucherius maintained correspondence with prominent church figures and promoted the spiritual formation of clergy and laity alike. The feast of Saint Eucherius honors his legacy as a model of devotion, scholarship, and pastoral care.
Eucherius of Lyon
Gertrude the Great(Roman Catholic Church)
Saint Gertrude the Great was a 13th-century German Benedictine nun and mystic celebrated for her profound devotional writings. The Roman Catholic Church commemorates her feast on November 16.
Gertrude entered the Abbey of Helfta at a young age and became renowned for her mystical experiences and theological insights. She wrote the "Revelations of Saint Gertrude the Great," a work emphasizing the love and mercy of Christ. Her spirituality centered on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and fostered deep personal devotion among the faithful. Gertrude’s writings offered guidance on prayer, contemplation, and the practice of divine love. The liturgical celebration of her feast day celebrates her impact as a pioneer of medieval mysticism and her enduring influence on Christian devotion.
Gertrude the Great
Roman Catholic Church
Giuseppe Moscati
Saint Giuseppe Moscati was an Italian physician and biochemist renowned for his compassionate care of the poor. His feast day is observed on November 16 in the Catholic Church.
Giuseppe Moscati combined scientific research with medical practice, pioneering advances in biochemistry and patient care. He dedicated his life to serving the sick in Naples, often treating those who could not afford medical treatment. Moscati’s deep Christian faith informed his approach, viewing healing as a ministry of charity. After his death in 1927, numerous testimonies of miraculous healings were attributed to his intercession. Canonized in 1987, Saint Moscati is venerated as a model of professional excellence, charity, and holiness in medicine.
Giuseppe Moscati
Gobrain
Gobrain
Hugh of Lincoln
Saint Hugh of Lincoln was a Carthusian monk who became Bishop of Lincoln and was admired for his humility and care for the poor. His feast day is celebrated on November 16.
Born into an aristocratic family in the early 12th century, Hugh renounced worldly privileges to enter the Carthusian order in France. He was later appointed Bishop of Lincoln in 1186, where he championed the rights of the underprivileged and supported the construction of a new cathedral. Known for his simplicity of life, he distributed alms to the needy and advocated for fair treatment of all social classes. Numerous miracles were reported at his tomb after his death in 1200, solidifying his reputation for sanctity. The feast of Saint Hugh honours his legacy of social justice, pastoral wisdom, and deep spiritual devotion.
Hugh of Lincoln
Margaret of Scotland
Saint Margaret of Scotland was an Anglo-Saxon princess and queen consort celebrated for her charity, piety, and church reforms. Her feast day is observed on November 16.
Margaret married King Malcolm III of Scotland in the 11th century and used her royal influence to promote religious and educational reforms. She established churches, supported monasteries, and instituted care for widows and orphans. Renowned for her personal austerity, she maintained a routine of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Margaret’s efforts helped align the Scottish Church more closely with Roman practices. Canonized in 1250, she remains a patron of Scotland and a model of Christian virtue and civic responsibility.
Margaret of Scotland