Mid-July finds many of us enjoying the long days of summer, and name days offer yet another reason to connect. Whether it’s a wish after Sunday liturgy or a call to someone far away, these small gestures keep family and tradition alive. Here’s a look at who’s being celebrated this week, plus a memory from our community that reminds us how these ties endure.
Sunday, July 6
Names: Lykios, Lykias, Lykia, Satyros, Satos, Sisoeis (Λύκιος, Λυκίας, Λυκία, Σάτυρος, Σάτος, Σισώης)
Who’s honored: The Twenty-Four Martyrs, Saint Sisoeis
Regional Spotlight: Saint Sisoeis is venerated in monastic communities across Greece for his humility and ascetic life.
Monday, July 7
Names: Kyriaki, Kyriakitsa, Kiki, Kika, Kikitsa, Kitsa, Korina, Domenica, Sandy, Koula, Odysseas (Κυριακή, Κυριακίτσα, Κική, Κίκα, Κικίτσα, Κίτσα, Κορίνα, Ντομένικα, Σάντυ, Κούλα, Οδυσσέας)
Who’s honored: Saint Kyriaki the Great Martyr, Saint Odysseas the New Martyr
Local Spotlight: St. Kyriaki isn’t the name of a parish in our area, but many families have a Kyriaki in their lives. This is a popular summer name day—Χρόνια Πολλά to all celebrating!
Tuesday, July 8
Names: Theofilos, Theofili, Theofilia, Theoflitsa, Filiώ, Filitsa, Filia, Prokopios, Prokopis, Prokopia (Θεόφιλος, Θεοφίλη, Θεοφιλία, Θεοφιλίτσα, Φιλιώ, Φιλίτσα, Φίλια, Προκόπιος, Προκόπης, Προκοπία)
Who’s honored: Venerable Theofilos the Myrrhgusher, Saint Prokopios the Great Martyr
Also: World Allergy Day
Wednesday, July 9
Names: Pankratios, Pankratia (Παγκράτιος, Παγκρατία)
Who’s honored: Saint Pankratios, Bishop of Taormina
Thursday, July 10
Names: Amalia, Ameli (Αμαλία, Αμελί)
Who’s honored: Saint Amalia
Friday, July 11
Names: Eufimia, Eufimi, Eufi, Efimoula, Efoula, Efimos; Olga (Ευφημία, Εύφημη, Εύφη, Ευφημούλα, Ευφούλα, Εύφημος, Όλγα)
Who’s honored: Saint Eufimia the Great Martyr, Saint Olga Equal-to-the-Apostles
Also: World Population Day
Note: Olga is a name that bridges cultures, found in both Greek and Russian Orthodox traditions—a reminder of the community’s diversity.
Saturday, July 12
Names: Veroniki, Veronika, Vera, Vereniki; Paisios, Paisis, Paisia; Ilarion (Βερονίκη, Βερόνικα, Βέρα, Βερενίκη, Παΐσιος, Παΐσης, Παϊσία, Ιλάριος)
Who’s honored: Saint Veronica the Hemorroissa, Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, Saints Proklos and Ilarion
Spotlight: Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, though a modern saint, is beloved by many Greek-Americans for his spiritual wisdom and the stories passed down from older generations.