Elessa’s name day is August 1, the feast of Elesa of Kythira.
Churches that follow the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the same feast on August 14 of the civil calendar. See everything commemorated on August 1.
The saint behind the name
Elesa of Kythira
August 1, Martyr, Ελέσα
St. Elesa was a virgin martyr honored by tradition as the patroness of the island of Kythira. Her very birth was an answer to prayer: her mother, a pious Christian who had long struggled to bear a child, prayed fervently and received the divine assurance that God had shown her mercy — in Greek, ho Theos elesese — and so the daughter granted to her was named Elesa. Raised by her mother in the faith despite her pagan father, she embraced Christ and consecrated her life to Him. When her father raged against her faith she fled across the water to Kythira; pursuing her there, he put her to death, and she received the crown of martyrdom in her youth.
Also celebrating on August 1
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.
