January 8
Synaxis of the Theotokos, Orthodox Churches
Many of the great feast days of the Orthodox churches are accompanied by an after-feast, or synaxis, on the next day, to honor a saint associated with the main feast. The day after Christmas is the after-feast of the Mother of God or Theotokos, meaning God-bearer in Greek. The liturgy for the feast proclaims, "… Angels with shepherds praise your immaculate birth-giving, O Full of Grace." In some places the Synaxis of the Theotokos is celebrated on the original (Julian) calendar date of December 26, in others on its equivalent date in the current (Gregorian) calendar, January 8. The picture is a detail from an icon, The Synaxis of the Mother of God, painted in the late 1500s in Turka, Lviv, Ukraine (from Oleh Sydor, Ukrainian Icons, Rodovid Press, 2003, www.rodovid.net/old_icon.html).
Also celebrated this date:
 | Madonna del Principio, Adelfia, Bari, Apulia, Italy, Montrone district. Painting crowned, 1891. |
| Santísima Virgen del Refugio, Acámbaro, Guanajuato, Mexico. Painting crowned, 1946. Fiesta July 4. |
| Nossa Senhora das Boas-Novas, Póvoa do Gago, Aveiro, Centro, Portugal (Our Lady of Good News) |
| Blessed Womb Icon of the All-holy Theotokos, Moscow, Russia (Dec. 26 Julian). Icon appeared, 1392. |
| Help in Childbirth Icon of the Mother of God, Serpukhov, Moscow, Russia (December 26 Julian) |
| Three Joys Icon of the Mother of God, Moscow, Russia (Dec. 26 old calendar) |
| Virgin Mary, Ulashkivtsi, Chortkivskyi, Ternopil, Ukraine. Uniate Cathedral dedicated, 2001. |
| Our Lady of Sorrows, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Novena began, 1937; celebration of coronation & basilica designation, 1957. |
| Our Lady of Prompt Succor, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Votive thanksgiving mass commemorates American victory at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. |