The Synaxarion: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church

The lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church by Hieromonk Makarios of Siomonos Petra, Mt. Athos. The Complete Synaxarion consist of 7 hardcover volumes, with 6 volumes, each one covering two months of the liturgical calendar (arranged in sequence by calendar date), and with over 550 pages in each volume, illustrated with numerous icons, miniatures, and ornaments from Byzantine manuscripts, some of these latter painted by the nuns of Ormylia.

Each volume gives brief biographies of many of the saints commemorated each day of the month, an explanation of any major feasts celebrated during the month, plus spiritual readings. Combining detailed historical research and idiomatic text, which spare pietistic flourishes that might otherwise heap honey on existing sweetness to be tasted in the lives of all Orthodox saints, distinguish these translations. In this book, there are mediaeval saints long forgotten and now rediscovered, such as St Sabas of Vatopedi (5 October), alongside others who attained sanctity in confrontation with characteristically twentieth-century manifestations of evil, such as St Gorazd, Bishop of Slovakia and the Czech Lands (4 September), who was shot by the Nazis in 1942. They, and this book, are the best possible companions for the private devotions of Orthodox Christians, and indeed of all those faithful who wish to live in the Church’s tradition.

Volume I: Introduction, September, October
Hardcover, 581 pp.

Volume II: November, December
Hardcover, 621 pp.

Volume III: January, February
Hardcover, 664 pp.

Volume IV: March, April
Hardcover, 575 pp.

Volume V: May, June
Hardcover, 690 pp.

Volume VI: July, August
Hardcover, 690 pp.

Volume VII: Appendix, General Index
Hardcover, 245 pp.