With July winding down, summer name days still offer the perfect reason to check in with friends and family. Whether you’re reaching out across town or across the ocean, these small customs, rooted in both American and Greek village life, help keep our community’s traditions strong.
Sunday, July 20
Names: Ilias, Liakos, Liakouras, Lias, Iliana, Liana, Ilianna, Ilia (Ηλίας, Λιάκος, Λιάκουρας, Λίας, Ηλιάνα, Λιάνα, Ηλιάννα, Ήλια)
Who’s honored: Prophet Elias (Elijah)
Note: Prophet Elias is the patron of many mountain-top chapels and villages throughout Greece. Even if there isn’t a local parish named for him in our region, Greek families everywhere honor Ilia and Iliana in their lives with “Χρόνια πολλά.”
Regional Spotlight: In villages like Siatista in Western Macedonia and dozens of mountain hamlets, the feast of Prophet Elias is marked by processions to the local chapel, open-air services, and a celebration with music and dancing.
Monday, July 21
Names: (No major celebrated names)
Who’s honored: Martyrs Akakios, Georgios, Eugenios, Theodoros, Theofilos, Ioustos, Matthaios, and Trophimos; Synaxis of the Theotokos in Armation
Tuesday, July 22
Names: Magdalini, Magda, Magdaloula, Magdalena, Magdalene, Magdaleni, Maria-Eleni, Marilena, Marialena, Markella, Menelaos (Μαγδαληνή, Μάγδα, Μαγδούλα, Μαγδαλένα, Μαγδαλένια, Μαγδαλή, Μαγδάλω, Μαρία-Ελένη, Μαριλένα, Μαριαλένα, Μαρκέλλα, Μενέλαος)
Who’s honored: Saint Mary Magdalene the Myrrhbearer, Saint Markella the Virgin-martyr of Chios, Saint Menelaos
Note: Markella is a special name on Chios, where the faithful flock to the seaside Monastery of Saint Markella for her feast. “Χρόνια πολλά” to everyone named Magdalini or Markella this week—especially those with roots in Chios!
Wednesday, July 23
Names: (No major celebrated names)
Who’s honored: Prophet Ezekiel; Hieromartyrs Apollinarios and Vitalios of Ravenna
Thursday, July 24
Names: Christina, Christiana, Kristiana, Christa, Krista, Christinaki, Athenagoras (Χριστίνα, Χριστιάνα, Κριστιάνα, Χρίστα, Κρίστα, Χρίστη, Κρίστη, Χριστινάκι, Αθηναγόρας)
Who’s honored: Saint Christina the Great Martyr, Saint Athenagoras the Confessor
Local Spotlight: Christina is a beloved name in many Greek-American families, though there is no parish in our area under her patronage. In Greece, the feast of Saint Christina is especially celebrated in villages across Northern Greece and the islands.
Friday, July 25
Names: Anna, Annita, Annetta, Annabella, Annamaria, Aneza, Anni, Anna-Maria, Anna-Maria, Efpraksios, Efpraksos, Efpraksia, Efpraksoula, Efis, Olympia, Olympiada, Olympou, Olympi, Olga, Olympias (Άννα, Αννίτα, Αννέτα, Ανναμπέλλα, Ανναμαρία, Ανέζα, Άννη, Άννα-Μαρία, Άννα-Μαρία, Ευπράξιος, Εύπραξος, Ευπραξία, Ευπραξούλα, Πραξούλα, Έφη, Ολυμπία, Ολυμπιάδα, Ολύμπω, Ολύμπη, Όλια, Ολυμπούλα, Ολυμπιάς)
Who’s honored: Dormition of Saint Anna, Venerable Efpraksia, Venerable Olympias the Deaconess
Note: Saint Anna is one of the most beloved saints in the Orthodox world, and Annas of all ages are celebrated this week. In many villages, her feast is a major summer event, with panigyria (festivals), music, and food.
Saturday, July 26
Names: Hermolaos, Ermolia, Lia; Paraskevi, Evi, Evita, Voula, Vivi, Veta, Paraskevoula, Paris, Vivian, Paris; Ersi, Oriozili, Oriozilia, Zilia, Zili, Zelia (Ερμόλαος, Ερμολία, Λία, Παρασκευή, Εύη, Εβίτα, Βούλα, Βιβή, Βέτη, Βέττη, Παρασκευούλα, Πάρις, Βίβιαν, Παρασκευάς, Πάρης, Πάρις, Έρση, Ωραιοζήλη, Ωραιοζηλία, Ζήλια, Ζήλη, Ζέλια)
Who’s honored: Saint Paraskevi the Venerable Martyr, Saint Hermolaos the Hieromartyr, Saint Oriozili the Martyr
Local Spotlight: Saint Paraskevi is the patron of countless chapels and villages in Greece, especially in Thessaly, Epirus, and the islands. In America, her feast is often observed with vespers services or special prayers—even if there’s no local parish named for her.
Regional Spotlight: In the village of Monodendri (Epirus), the feast of Saint Paraskevi is marked by a panigyri and a procession to her ancient stone chapel in the Vikos Gorge.