Which day is name day?
Every day except New Year’s Day, Christmas Day and 29 February is a name day.
What is name day Greek Orthodox?
Name days are the days where a saint, martyr, or otherwise holy person is commemorated by the Greek Orthodox Church. Otherwise known abroad as “feast days”, these anniversaries usually are of the saint’s or martyr’s death due to refusing to denounce their faith at the hands of prosecutors of Christendom in the past.
Why do Greek Orthodox celebrate name days?
Celebrating Greek name days is an Orthodox tradition observed throughout Greece. According to the Orthodox Calendar, each Greek name day of the year is dedicated to the memory of a saint or martyr; and there are usually more than one on the same day. Each saint or holy person has their own feast day.
How many Greek name days are there?
But Greeks only celebrate one name day per year, determined by the precise origin of their names.
How are Greek Name Days celebrated?
Name Days in Greece are celebrated even more than birthdays, opposite to all other countries. On someone’s name day, there is an open house held and a feast is laid on for everyone who wants to come. Neighbors and friends or relatives usually call and can visit the house, without waiting for an official invitation.
When is your Greek name day?
Name days are one of the few occasions when Greeks often offer food (sweets) as gifts. They are generally store-bought. To learn if your name is included in the celebration list, or to see when a Greek friend’s name day occurs, check this listing of name days by month: January. February. March. April.
What is the most important Greek Orthodox holiday?
Epiphany is one of the most sacred Greek Orthodox celebrations, rich in many Christian traditions which also date back to ancient times. Epiphany (also called Theofania or Fota) is celebrated on January 6 and is a day of joy and brightness, as Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist.
Is Greek Orthodoxy a denomination of Christianity?
The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch adheres to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is composed of several autocephalous jurisdictions united by common doctrine and by their use of the Byzantine rite. They are the second largest Christian denomination within Christianity in Lebanon.
What are the Greek Orthodox holidays?
The major Greek holidays include New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Festival of the Flowers (Protomayia / Πρωτομαγιά) and Labor Day, Oxi (Όχι) Day, and Christmas. New Year’s Day and St. Vasileios Day.