Most people named Emmanuel keep their name day on December 26, the feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos. The Orthodox calendar has 2 other feasts for the name.
Every feast on which Emmanuel is celebrated
| New Calendar | Feast | Old Calendar (civil date) |
|---|---|---|
| June 17 | Manuel, Sabel and Ismael, Martyrs | June 30 |
| December 25 | Nativity of Christ | January 7 |
| December 26 | Synaxis of the Theotokos | January 8 |
The saints behind the name
Synaxis of the Theotokos
December 26, Great Feast, Σύναξη Θεοτόκου
On the day after the Nativity of Christ, the Church gathers in synaxis to honor the Most Holy Theotokos, from whom the Saviour was born in the flesh. Having celebrated the birth of the Lord, the faithful turn with gratitude to His Mother, through whose obedience the Incarnation came to pass.
Name days: Emmanuel, Emmanouil, Manolis, Manos, Manuel, Maria, Mary, Maro, Marianna, Panagiota, Emmanouela, Emmanuela, Manuela
Manuel, Sabel and Ismael, Martyrs
June 17, Martyr, Μανουήλ, Σαβέλ και Ισμαήλ
Saints Manuel, Sabel and Ismael were three brothers of noble Persian family who had been raised as Christians by their mother. Sent as envoys to the emperor Julian the Apostate, they refused to take part in his pagan sacrifices at Chalcedon.
Name days: Manouil, Manuel, Manolis, Manos, Emmanouil, Sabel, Savel, Ismael, Ismail, Emmanuel
Nativity of Christ
December 25, Great Feast, Χριστούγεννα
The Nativity of our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, kept on December 25, celebrates the birth in the flesh of the Son of God from the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. Laid in a manger because there was no room at the inn, the newborn King was glorified by angels, worshipped by shepherds, and honored with gifts by Magi from the East.
Name days: Christos, Christodoulos, Chris, Christian, Christoforos, Hristos, Emanuel, Emmanuel, Christopher, Christakis, Christiana, Christina, Christine, Kristina
Also celebrating on December 26
These names share the feast, many of them other forms of the same name:
Emmanouil, Manolis, Manos, Manuel, Maria, Mary, Maro, Marianna, Panagiota, Emmanouela, Emmanuela, Manuela
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.
