Late October brings a shift toward cooler days in Greece, with olive harvests beginning in many villages. This week’s commemorations connect us to saints remembered for their courage, wisdom, and devotion.
Sunday, October 19
Names: Cleopatra, Kleopatra, Patra, Patroula, Cleo (Κλεοπάτρα, Πατρά, Πατρούλα, Κλεώ); Felix (Φήλιξ)
Who’s honored: Saint Cleopatra the Martyr; Saint Felix the Priest, known for his piety and teaching
Monday, October 20
Names: Artemios, Artemis (Αρτέμιος, Άρτεμις); Diana (Διάνα); Gerasimos, Yerasimos (Γεράσιμος); Henoe, Enoe (Ηνόη, Ενόη); Matrona (Ματρώνα)
Who’s honored: Great Martyr Artemios; Saint Gerasimos of Kefalonia, protector of the island; Saint Matrona of Chios
Tuesday, October 21
Names: Christodoulos (Χριστόδουλος); Efkratis (Ευκράτης); Sokrates, Sokratis, Socrates (Σωκράτης); Ursula (Ούρσουλα)
Who’s honored: Saint Christodoulos the Wonderworker of Patmos; Saints Efkratis and Ursula; philosopher Socrates is honored in name only, as his feast is not ecclesiastical but culturally noted
Wednesday, October 22
Names: Averkios (Αβέρκιος)
Who’s honored: Saint Averkios the Equal-to-the-Apostles, bishop of Hierapolis, known for his missionary journeys
Thursday, October 23
Names: Iakovos, Jacob, Jakob (Ιάκωβος, Ιακώβ)
Who’s honored: Saint Iakovos, the Brother of the Lord, first bishop of Jerusalem
Friday, October 24
Names: Sevastiani, Sebastiani, Sebastian, Sevasti, Sevi (Σεβαστιανή, Σεβαστιανός, Σεβαστή, Σέβη)
Who’s honored: Saint Sevastiani the Martyr, who proclaimed her faith under Roman persecution
Saturday, October 25
Names: Chrysanthi, Crysanthi, Hrisanthi, Hrysanthi (Χρυσάνθη); Hrysaphis, Chrysaphis, Chrisaphis (Χρυσαφής, Χρυσάφης)
Who’s honored: Saints Chrysanthos and Daria, early Christian martyrs; Saint Hrysaphis, remembered in local traditions