Christian Cyclopedia

(synaxary; synaxarium; plurals: synaxaria or synaxaries; from the Greek synaxis, from synagein, “to gather together”). Term used in reference to E Orthodox cultus for 1. short life of a saint or exposition of a feast included in the Menaion* and appointed to be read at early morning service; 2. Greater Synaxarion: book containing synexaria arranged acc. to calendar. At times used interchangeably with Menologion*; 3. Lesser Synaxarion: book listing feasts for each day, with pericopic notes (see Pericope).