Friday, May 22, 2026
The Orthodox liturgical day, its saint, its tone, and its fast.
On Friday, May 22, 2026, Orthodox Christians on the New Calendar remember St Basiliscus of Comana; St Melchizedek of Salem; and Commemoration of the Second Ecumenical Council. It is a strict fast day. On the Old Calendar the same day remembers St Isaiah and Translation of the Relics of St Nicholas the Wonderworker. It is a strict fast day.
New Calendar
Commemorated today
- Martyr Basiliscus, Bishop of Comana
- Righteous Melchizedek, king of Salem.
- Commemoration of the Second Ecumenical Council (381).
This day is a strict fast, no meat, dairy, fish, wine, or oil.
Old Calendar
Commemorated today
- Prophet Isaiah
- Translation of the Relics of St Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Holy Martyr Christopher (3rd c.)
This day is a strict fast, no meat, dairy, fish, wine, or oil.
The saints of the day
On the New Calendar
On the Old Calendar
Name days on the New Calendar: Basiliscus
- Tone 5 of the Octoechos
- The Paschal season
The day’s readings
EpistleActs 19.1-8
19:1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples. 2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.”
5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied. 7They were about twelve men in all. 8He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s Kingdom.
WEB, public domain
GospelJohn 14.1-11
14:1“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 3If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. 4You know where I go, and you know the way.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. 7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him and have seen him.” 8Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
WEB, public domain
The order and appointment of the readings follow the Orthodox lectionary. Come to the Liturgy to hear them proclaimed.
Questions
What does the Orthodox Church remember on Friday, May 22, 2026?
- On the New Calendar, St Basiliscus of Comana; St Melchizedek of Salem; and Commemoration of the Second Ecumenical Council.
- On the Old Calendar, St Isaiah and Translation of the Relics of St Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Is Friday, May 22, 2026 a fast day in the Orthodox Church?
Yes.
- On the New Calendar it is a strict fast day.
- On the Old Calendar it is a strict fast day.
What are the Orthodox readings for Friday, May 22, 2026?
On both calendars:
At the Liturgy, the Epistle is Acts 19.1-8 and the Gospel is John 14.1-11.