Synaxarion

The (from the Greek synaxis , meaning "gathering" or "assembly") is one of the most vital liturgical books in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. While Western Christianity has the Roman Martyrology , the East has the Synaxarion.

This is a literary collection meant for reading and edification outside of the strict liturgical service. It contains the full narratives of the saints' lives, miracles, and martyrdoms. The most famous version of this is the Synaxarion of St. Nicodemus the Hagiorite (1785), compiled on Mount Athos. St. Nicodemus sifted through centuries of conflicting manuscripts and created a standardized, readable collection that remains the gold standard today. synaxarion