Fully aware that the lives of the Saints have always been the daily nourishment of all Orthodox believers, alongside the Holy Scriptures, since 1987 the Holy Monastery of Simonopetra at Mount Athos has decided to publish, first in French and subsequently in English, a modern translation of the Synaxarion, for the needs of the worldwide Orthodox mission.

This laborious yet necessary task was undertaken by the most honorable Hieromonk, Father Makarios Simonopetritis, a knowledgeable linguist and a devoted researcher of hagiological topics. From the outset, it became clear that this work could not be limited to a simple translation or adaptation of the Synaxarion of Constantinople, even that of the well-known circulating work of the holy Nikodemos the Hagiorite.

In order for this hagiology to meet the demands of the contemporary, particularly of the Western reader, and to emphasize even more the universal character of the Orthodox Church, it was necessary to revise the texts based on the most authentic hagiological sources.

This time-consuming work allowed not only for the correction of certain errors that had crept into the Synaxarion over time but also to add many concise biographies and to include commemorations of Byzantine Saints who had not yet found their place in the classical Synaxaria.

To give a truly pan-Orthodox character to this collection, the Saints of all local canonical Orthodox Churches (Russia, Serbia, Romania, Georgia, Bulgaria, etc.) were also included, as well as the recently recognized Saints of all Orthodox Churches, which have notably increased especially after the fall of the communist regime.

Along the way, the translation work transformed into an original composition of a true New Synaxarion, which today appears to be the most comprehensive and up-to-date Orthodox hagiological collection, as it includes all the Saints recognized by the Church up to the year 2000.