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
Share Your Name Day Story
Whether you follow family customs from your grandparents’ village or have created your own way of marking the day, we invite you to share it with us at nameday@cosmosphilly.com. Photos, memories, and recipes all help preserve our heritage for the next generation.
Some names appear more than once in the Greek Orthodox calendar. We feature the date most widely observed, while recognizing that local traditions may differ.
Our warmest wishes for a joyful Χρόνια πολλά to all who celebrate this week, near or far.