Orthodox saints and name days on March 2

Name days on March 2

Efthaleia, Efthalia, Theodotos, Theodotus

Saints and feasts of March 2

• Efthalia

  Holy Woman, Ευθαλία

  St. Efthalia was a virgin martyr of Sicily in the early centuries of the Church. Tradition relates that she came to faith in Christ together with her mother, and that when her pagan brother raged against her confession she would not renounce the Lord, and so gave her life for the faith.

  Name days: Efthaleia, Efthalia

• Theodotos of Kyrenia

  Hierarch, Θεόδοτος

  St. Theodotos was Bishop of Kyrenia in Cyprus in the early fourth century. During the persecution of Licinius he was arrested and subjected to severe tortures for his confession of Christ, enduring them with such courage that many pagans who witnessed his sufferings came to faith.

  Name days: Theodotos, Theodotus

• Nicholas Planas

  Saint, Νικόλαος Πλανάς

  St. Nicholas Planas was born on the island of Naxos in 1851 and served as a parish priest in Athens for more than fifty years, until his repose in 1932. Of small stature and simple learning, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy nearly every day, commemorating thousands of names, and was loved by the poor of the city for his gentleness and charity.

• Kointos the Confessor

  Saint, Κόιντος

  St. Kointos was a Christian of Phrygia in the third century, remembered for his generosity to the poor and for the gift of healing. Tradition relates that he was seized during a persecution, but that an earthquake dispersed his tormentors and he was set free; later he was again tortured, and his legs were broken, yet he was healed and lived on for many years.

• Nestor and Tribimios

  Martyr, Νέστωρ

  Sts. Nestor and Tribimios were Christians of Perge in Pamphylia who suffered in the persecution of Decius in the third century. Brought before the governor, they confessed Christ openly, were tortured, and were beheaded.

• Joachim of Ithaca

  Venerable, Ιωακείμ ο Ιθακήσιος

  St. Joachim, known affectionately as Papoulakis, was born on the island of Ithaca in 1786. As a young man he fled to Mount Athos, where he lived for many years in obedience and prayer at the monastery of Vatopedi. Returning to Ithaca, he devoted himself to the poor, to preaching, and to consoling the islanders, and was known for foretelling events and for his love of children.

• Andronikos and Athanasia

  Saint, Ανδρόνικος

  Sts. Andronikos and Athanasia were a married couple of Antioch in the fifth century. After the death of their two children they gave away their property and went to Egypt, where each embraced the monastic life, Andronikos among the fathers of Skete and Athanasia disguised as a monk.