The final week of November brings a series of meaningful commemorations, from beloved martyrs to names kept alive through Greek tradition. Here is the full list of the week’s name days.
Sunday, November 23
Names: Amphilochios, Amphilochia (Αμφιλόχιος, Αμφιλοχία)
Who’s honored: Saint Amphilochios, Bishop of Iconium, remembered for his defense of the Orthodox faith against Arianism.
Monday, November 24
Names: Clement, Klementios (Κλήμης, Κλήμητος)
Who’s honored: Saint Clement, Pope of Rome, an early Christian martyr known for his pastoral letters and steadfast faith.
Tuesday, November 25
Names: Katherine, Ekaterini, Katerina, Kaiti (Αικατερίνη, Κατερίνα, Καίτη)
Who’s honored: Saint Katherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria, celebrated for her wisdom and courage.
Many women named Katherine or Katerina receive flowers and sweets on this day, and churches dedicated to her hold festive liturgies.
Wednesday, November 26
Names: Stylianos, Stelios, Styliani, Stella (Στυλιανός, Στέλιος, Στυλιανή, Στέλλα)
Who’s honored: Saint Stylianos the Hermit of Paphlagonia, known as the protector of children and infants. His icon is often found in nurseries and family homes.
Thursday, November 27
Names: Iakovos (Ιάκωβος)
Who’s honored: Saint James the Persian (Άγιος Ιάκωβος ο Πέρσης), an early fifth-century martyr celebrated in the Orthodox liturgical calendar.
This name day is recognized in church tradition, though it is not widely celebrated in modern Greek civil name-day lists.
Friday, November 28
Names: Eirinarhos (Ειρήναρχος); Stephanos the New (Στέφανος ο Νέος)*
*Note: The widely celebrated name day for Stephanos / Stefanos (Στέφανος) is December 27.
On November 28, the commemoration is specifically Saint Stephen the New, known for defending icons during the iconoclastic period.
Who’s honored:
Saint Eirinarhos of Sebaste, an early martyr; and Saint Stephen the New, confessor and defender of sacred images.
These commemorations are liturgical and not part of the main civil name-day cycle.
Saturday, November 29
Names:
Phaidra, Phaidros (Φαίδρα, Φαίδρος)
Filoumeni, Filoumenos (Φιλουμένη, Φιλούμενος)
Who’s honored:
Lesser-known saints and martyrs remembered on this date appear in the Greek name-day calendars.
Although not widely celebrated, these names remain part of the broader Orthodox and cultural tradition.