October 5

Reading

The feast of the Hierarchs of Moscow was established during the reign of Tsar Theodore Ioannovich and Patriarch Job in the year 1596. Their individual feasts are: Saint Peter (+1326), December 21, and August 24, translation of holy relics; Saint Alexis (+14th cent.), February 12, and May 20, recovery of holy relics; Saint Jonah (+1461), March 31 and June 15, with the recovery of his holy relics celebrated on May 27. In 1875, at the proposal of Metropolitan Innocent of Moscow, to this feast was joined the commemoration of Saint Philip of Moscow (+1569), whose feast is kept on January 9, and the recovery of his holy relics on July 3. In more recent times, the holy Patriarchs Hermogenes (+1612) and Tikhon (+1925) have been added to the Synaxis. Saint Hermogenes, who was starved to death by the Poles, is also celebrated on February 17 and May 12, and Saint Tikhon, a confessor under the atheist yoke, on March 25. the Menaion service itself makes reference only to Saints Peter, Alexis, Jonah, and Philip.

Apolytikion of Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Hermogenes & Tikhon of Moscow

Fourth Tone

Prelates of Russia, true keepers of the apostolic traditions, unshakable pillars, teachers of Orthodoxy, O Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Philip, Hermogenes, and Tikhon, pray to the Lord of all to grant peace to the world and to our souls great mercy.

Kontakion of Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Hermogenes & Tikhon of Moscow

Third Tone

Ye lived piously among bishops; ye led the peoples to the knowledge of God, and ye pleased God well. Wherefore, ye were glorified by Him with incorruption and miracles, as disciples of the grace of God.