The Synaxis of the Glorious and All-Praiseworthy Twelve Apostles of Christ IS an ancient Feast. The Church honors each of the Twelve Apostles on separate dates during the year, and has established a general commemoration for all of them on the day after the commemoration of the Glorious and First-Ranked among the Apostles Peter and Paul.
The holy God-crowned Emperor Constantine the Great (May 21) built a church in Constantinople in honor of the Twelve Apostles. There are instructions for celebrating this Feast which date from the fourth century. For lists of the Apostles’ names, see: Mt.10:2, Mark 3:14, Luke 6:12, Acts 1:13, 26.
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Andrew the First-called is also commemorated on November 30. He was the brother of Saint Peter (June 29).
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle James is also commemorated on April 30. He and his brother John are the sons of Zebedee, and were called “sons of Thunder” (Mark 3: 17).
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist, virgin, and beloved friend of Christ, John the Theologian is also commemorated on September 26 and May 8. He and his brother James are the sons of Zebedee, and were called “sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17).
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Philip is also commemorated on November 14.
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Bartholomew is also commemorated on June 11 and August 25.
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Thomas is also commemorated on October 6 and on the Sunday after Pascha.
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Evangelist Matthew is also commemorated on November 16.
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle James, the son of Alphaeus, is also commemorated on October 9.
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Jude is also commemorated on June 19. He is also known as Thaddeus (but should not be confused with Saint Thaddeus of the Seventy, who is commemorated on August 21), and was the brother of Saint James (October 23).
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Simon the Zealot is also commemorated on May 10.
The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Matthias is also commemorated on August 9.
PRAYER ON THE FEAST OF
THE SYNAXIS OF THE APOSTLES
O Almighty Master, Lord our God, Who didst choose Thy beloved Disciples and Apostles for the preaching of salvation to the whole world, and didst give them power to loose sins: accept their intercessions for the human race, which Thou wilt judge with them: for we, unworthy though we be, make bold to ask them to make entreaty for us, as Thy friends, and most honourable in our sight; for much availeth the prayer of the righteous for our souls’ salvation. Ye holy Chief Apostles, Peter and Paul, Evangelists of Christ John the Theologian and Matthew, Andrew the First-Called [Disciple] who implanted the Cross as a blessing in Russia; ye holy Apostles James the Brother of the Lord, with the other James; Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Simon, Judah and Matthias! All ye holy Apostles, chosen of God, ye that were especially pleasing unto Christ, who rooted out godlessness and planted the True Faith, help us by your powerful intercession before the Lord, that we may be delivered from every evil and wile of the enemy; that we may be firm in keeping the Orthodox Faith committed unto you, in which Faith, by your prayers, we be not lessened through wounds, nor curses, nor widespread mortality, nor by any wrath separated from our Creator; but living a peaceful life here, may be found worthy to see the good things in the Land of the Living, glorifying the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen!