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d_kakavouli

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Here are a few useful calendars I've found
Thanks for sharing! I add the "Greek Holidays" calendar to my google calendar to get reminded of important dates but it doesn't include Saints Days
 
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About 5 years ago a friend (non Greek) asked me if her granddaughter had a nameday. Her name was Patrice. I explained Patricia is my Anglo name but my Greek name is Paraskevi. Wanting to impress her συμπεθέρη, she asked me if I could let her know when their namedays were. I now have around 40 people on my list. I use namedays.gr ,iconograms, abbamoses.com to source namedays. Wikipedia is a good source for icons. When I cannot find a Greek Orthodox name, I also search Eastern Orthodox church and the Coptic Church. Sometimes I search Catholic saints for names like Xavier and Corona.
Each month I go through my existing namedays and add new names to my list. Abbamoses does not have icons. Some of the names in namedays.gr are a little dodgy. I write about the saint,why they became a Saint and their feast day. Saints can have more than one nameday depending on the Greek Island or province that celebrates the saint. In 2019 i was lucky enough to go to Cappadocia where most of our saints were born, resided, persecuted and became saints. Patricia
 
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About 5 years ago a friend (non Greek) asked me if her granddaughter had a nameday. Her name was Patrice. I explained Patricia is my Anglo name but my Greek name is Paraskevi. Wanting to impress her συμπεθέρη, she asked me if I could let her know when their namedays were. I now have around 40 people on my list. I use namedays.gr ,iconograms, abbamoses.com to source namedays. Wikipedia is a good source for icons. When I cannot find a Greek Orthodox name, I also search Eastern Orthodox church and the Coptic Church. Sometimes I search Catholic saints for names like Xavier and Corona.
Each month I go through my existing namedays and add new names to my list. Abbamoses does not have icons. Some of the names in namedays.gr are a little dodgy. I write about the saint,why they became a Saint and their feast day. Saints can have more than one nameday depending on the Greek Island or province that celebrates the saint. In 2019 i was lucky enough to go to Cappadocia where most of our saints were born, resided, persecuted and became saints. Patricia
THank you so much for sharing. I love the name Paraskevi, it is my aunts name. I will use these saints day calendars to track everyones name days. It is so hard to keep track these days because there aer so many people to keep track of and these days everyone has more unique names in Greece. Cheers :)
 
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Having a name day is really special. I was baptized under a different name (Kaliope) than my birth certification (Katherine) and I actually celebrate both! I don't think there are really any strict rules, it's all about what we are comfortable with and if our parents had a saint in mind when they named us.
 
Greeks have quite a few beautiful and unusual female names. Now I have started to think about naming my daughter a Greek name. Perhaps it would be unusual enough for my state, and her name would be unique. I was also surprised to hear about the existence of the name calendar for the first time from you. Previously I had only heard of regular calendars. The thing is, I also use one so I don't miss important meetings or events. For example, before Christmas, I need to turn in a large number of reports. So already now I put in my december calendar all the dates when I have to do it. You have children, so maybe you can use a calendar like this so you don't forget about your schedule.
 
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Having a name day is really special. I was baptized under a different name (Kaliope) than my birth certification (Katherine) and I actually celebrate both! I don't think there are really any strict rules, it's all about what we are comfortable with and if our parents had a saint in mind when they named us.
My sister is Kalliope. Our Mum, although born in Australia (my Grandparents migrated in 1922) like most of her classmates could not spread English when she started school. He name Asimina was translated to Mena. So our Mum gave us Anglicised names. Paraskevi (me) became Patricia. Kalliope became Colleen. Very Irish names.
 
Greeks have quite a few beautiful and unusual female names. Now I have started to think about naming my daughter a Greek name. Perhaps it would be unusual enough for my state, and her name would be unique. I was also surprised to hear about the existence of the name calendar for the first time from you. Previously I had only heard of regular calendars. The thing is, I also use one so I don't miss important meetings or events. For example, before Christmas, I need to turn in a large number of reports. So already now I put in my december calendar all the dates when I have to do it. You have children, so maybe you can use a calendar like this so you don't forget about your schedule.
All Greek Orthodox parishes (in Australia) produce a calendar with Saints nameday. Cost is usually whatever you can afford. I know the Greek Orthodox church in Hawaii has one. I bought one this year.
Female Greek names are beautiful. Kalliope, Paraskevi, Panayiota, Elefteria, Vasiliki, Ourania...... list goes on and on. Most Greek names have namedays. That's at least 3 presents a year.
 

Are most Greeks left or right?

Are most Greeks liberal leftist progressives? Most that I encounter are. Not only that but self hating. WHY?

Does your family make fanouropita for Saint Phanourios Day?

I recently saw a news article about Saint Fanourios Day, and it showed people bringing fanouropita cakes to a church to be blessed. I knew about fanouropita and the tradition of making it when you’re hoping to find something that has been lost, but I didn’t realize how much of a church tradition it could be on the saint’s feast day itself.

Does your family make fanouropita for Saint Fanourios Day? If so, do you bring the cake to church to be blessed, or do you usually make it at home and share it with family and friends?

I’m also curious whether this is something that is still widely done in Greece or if it depends on the region, parish, or family. Are there any other traditions your family follows for Saint Fanourios Day?

I’d love to hear how people observe the day and whether fanouropita is part of your family’s tradition.

Why do Greeks celebrate name days?

I grew up with name days being a big deal, and I’ve always wondered why they feel more important than birthdays for so many of us. I know they’re tied to the Greek Orthodox Church feast days and the saints we’re named after, but it feels like there’s something deeper going on culturally.

In my family, name days were always open-house style, people calling, stopping by, bringing sweets, and it felt very communal. Birthdays, on the other hand, were more low-key.

Do you feel like name days still carry that same weight today? Or has it changed depending on the generation or where you live?

Best Christening Gifts for a Close Friend's Child?

What are some good christening gifts for the child of a close friend?

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to a Greek christening, and the last one I attended was for a relative, so I’m realizing I’m not completely sure what is considered appropriate these days.

Since this is the child of a close friend, I’d like to give something a little more meaningful than just a standard gift, but I also don’t want to overdo it. Are religious gifts like an icon, cross, or children’s Bible still common? Would money, jewelry, or something personalized be appropriate?

I’d also be interested to know whether there are certain gifts that are traditionally given by family members or the godparents that I should avoid duplicating.

What have you given for christenings recently, especially when the child belonged to a close friend? I’d love some ideas that feel thoughtful and appropriate.

Greek Easter Celebrations in Greece?

I’ve been thinking a lot about Greek Easter lately and realized I don’t actually know what it’s like to experience it in Greece itself.

I grew up with the traditions here, like church services, red eggs, the midnight “Christos Anesti,” and of course the big Sunday feast, but I’m curious how it all feels in Greece. Is the atmosphere different? More intense? More communal?

What are the days leading up to Easter like there, especially Holy Week? Are there specific customs, processions, or local traditions that stand out depending on the region?

I’ve also heard things about candles at midnight, fireworks, and entire towns participating, how true is that?

Would love to hear from anyone who has experienced it in Greece or grew up there. What are the moments that really define Greek Easter for you?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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