Orthodox saints and name days on September 8

Name days on September 8

Maria, Mary, Maro, Marika, Panagiota, Giota, Despina, Despoina

Saints and feasts of September 8

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  Nativity of the Theotokos

  Great Feast, Γέννηση Θεοτόκου

  The Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on September 8, is the first Great Feast of the church year. According to tradition, the righteous Joachim and Anna remained childless into old age, bearing reproach with patience and prayer; God heard them and granted them a daughter, Mary, who was to become the Mother of the Saviour.

  Name days: Maria, Mary, Maro, Marika, Panagiota, Giota, Despina, Despoina

• Athanasios of Koulakia

  Martyr, Αθανάσιος Κουλακιώτης

  St. Athanasios was born at Koulakia near Thessaloniki, the present Chalastra, in the eighteenth century. Tradition relates that, having in a dispute been drawn into words the Turks took as an acceptance of Islam, he refused absolutely to deny Christ and was condemned.

• Rufus and Rufianus

  Martyr, Ρούφος και Ρουφιανός

  The holy martyrs Rufus and Rufianus were brothers who confessed Christ during the pagan persecutions and were beheaded together.

• Severus and Artemidoros

  Martyr, Σεβήρος και Αρτεμίδωρος

  The holy martyrs Severus and Artemidoros confessed Christ in the time of the persecutions; tradition relates that Severus was put to death by the sword and Artemidoros by fire.

• Sophronios of Achtala

  Hierarch, Σωφρόνιος Αχταλείας

  St. Sophronios was a Greek hierarch of the eighteenth century who served as bishop of Achtala in Georgia, ministering to the Greek miners and Orthodox faithful of that region. He was known for his ascetic life and pastoral care and reposed in peace.