The last week of September carries us deeper into autumn. For many Greek-American families, it is a season of both new beginnings and familiar traditions, from Sunday liturgy to weekday name day gatherings that bring neighbors together over coffee and sweets.
Sunday, September 21
Names: Jonas, Ionas, Ion (Ιωνάς, Ίων)
Who’s honored: Prophet Jonah, known from the Old Testament story of the great fish
Monday, September 22
Names: Fokas, Phokas (Φωκάς); Zografia (Ζωγραφιά)
Who’s honored: Saint Phocas the Gardener and Saint Zografia the Martyr
Tuesday, September 23
Names: Plixeni, Polyxena, Polyxene, Polyxeni, Xene, Xeni (Πλυξένη, Πολυξένη, Ξένη); Rais (Ραΐς); Xanthipos, Xanthippos (Ξάνθιππος); Xanthippe, Xanthippi (Ξανθίππη)
Who’s honored: The conception of Saint John the Baptist, and the martyrs Xanthippe and Polyxene
Wednesday, September 24
Names: Kopros, Kopris (Κόπρος, Κόπρις); Mirsini, Mersa, Mirso, Amerisouda, Amersouda, Amerssa, Amersa (Μυρσίνη, Μέρσα, Μίρσω, Αμερισούδα, Αμέρσουδα, Αμέρσσα, Αμέρσα); Mirto, Myrto (Μυρτώ); Persefoni, Persephoni (Περσεφόνη); Persis, Persi (Περσίς); Thekla (Θέκλα)
Who’s honored: The feast of Saint Thekla the Protomartyr and Equal to the Apostles, along with several other saints and martyrs
Thursday, September 25
Names: Efrosyne, Efrosini, Froso (Ευφροσύνη, Φρόσω)
Who’s honored: Saint Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Friday, September 26
Today is one of those days without a widely recognized name day in the Orthodox calendar. It can be a good moment to remember lesser-known saints or to spend quiet time with loved ones without the bustle of a formal celebration.
Saturday, September 27
Names: Akylini, Akilina (Ακυλίνη, Ακιλίνα); Kallistratos (Καλλίστρατος); Zenon, Zinon (Ζήνων)
Who’s honored: Saint Kallistratos the Martyr and Saint Zenon