Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious and All-praised Twelve Apostles (June 30)
Even though each of the Twelve Great Apostles has his own particular feast day during the year, the Church has set aside this day as a general feast of all the apostles together, and Paul with them. These are the names and the separate feast days of the Holy Twelve:
Peter | June 29 and January 16 |
Andrew | November 30 |
James the Son of Zebedee | April 30 |
John the Theologian | September 26 and May 8 |
Philip | November 14 |
Bartholomew | June 11 and August 25 |
Thomas | October 6 |
Matthew the Evangelist | November 16 |
James the Son of Alphaeus | October 9 |
Thaddaeus | August 21 |
Simon the Zealot | May 10 |
Matthias | August 9 |
Paul | June 29 |
Let us also recall how each of these, the most holy and selfless men in the history of the world, ended his earthly life:
—Peter was crucified upside down.
—Andrew was crucified.
—James the Son of Zebedee was beheaded.
—John the Theologian reposed in a miraculous manner.
—Philip was crucified.
—Bartholomew was crucified, flayed and beheaded.
—Thomas was pierced with five spears.
—Matthew the Evangelist was burned alive.
—James the son of Alphaeus was crucified.
—Thaddaeus was crucified.
—Simon the Zealot was crucified.
—Matthias was stoned and then beheaded after death.
—Paul was beheaded.
Source: St. Nikolai Velimirovic, The Prologue of Ohrid – Volume One.
Apolytikion
O Holy Apostles, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Kontakion
O Lord, receive the steadfast and divinely voiced preachers, the pinnacle of Your disciples, unto their rest and the enjoyment of Your blessings. You received, above every offering, their labors and their life. You alone know what the heart holds.