Most people named Anna keep their name day on December 9, the feast of the Conception of the Theotokos by Anne. The Orthodox calendar has 3 other feasts for the name.
Every feast on which Anna is celebrated
| New Calendar | Feast | Old Calendar (civil date) |
|---|---|---|
| February 2 | Presentation of the Lord | February 15 |
| July 25 | Dormition of Anne | August 7 |
| September 9 | Joachim and Anne | September 22 |
| December 9 | Conception of the Theotokos by Anne | December 22 |
The saints behind the name
Conception of the Theotokos by Anne
December 9, Great Feast, Σύλληψη Θεοτόκου υπό Άννης
On December 9 the Church commemorates the conception of the Most Holy Theotokos by the righteous Anna. Childless for many years, Joachim and Anna prayed with tears, and according to tradition an angel announced to each of them that God would grant them a child who would be spoken of in all the world. Anna conceived and bore Mary, the future Mother of God.
Presentation of the Lord
February 2, Great Feast, Υπαπαντή
Forty days after His Nativity, the infant Christ was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem by the Theotokos and the righteous Joseph, in fulfillment of the Law of Moses. There He was received into the arms of the Elder Simeon, to whom it had been revealed that he would not die before seeing the Messiah, and Simeon blessed God with the prayer now sung at every Vespers. The aged Prophetess Anna likewise gave thanks and spoke of the Child to all who awaited redemption.
Dormition of Anne
July 25, Holy Woman, Κοίμηση Αγίας Άννας
On July 25 the Church commemorates the Dormition of St. Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. With her husband, the righteous Joachim, she bore childlessness with patience and prayer until God granted them in old age the daughter who would become the Mother of God. According to tradition she reposed in peace in Jerusalem.
The other feasts are listed in the table above, each with a link to the saint’s life.
Also celebrating on December 9
These names share the feast, many of them other forms of the same name:
What to say on a name day
The Greek wish is Χρόνια Πολλά (Chronia Polla), “many years.” A call or a short message on the day is what people remember. See name day wishes you can send and what a name day is.
The calendar, on your phone each morning
Today’s saints, whether it is a fast day, and the people in your contacts who have a name day. Free, with no ads.
