Leon can be celebrated on 3 feasts in the Orthodox calendar. People keep the feast of the saint they were named for, or the one their family has always kept.
Every feast on which Leon is celebrated
| New Calendar | Feast | Old Calendar (civil date) |
|---|---|---|
| February 18 | Leo the Great | March 3 |
| February 20 | Leo of Catania | March 5 |
| June 18 | Leontios | July 1 |
The saints behind the name
Leo the Great
February 18, Hierarch, Λέων ο Μέγας
St. Leo the Great was Pope of Rome in the fifth century, one of the great fathers of the undivided Church. His celebrated Tome, read at the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon in 451, confessed with clarity that Christ is one Person in two natures, true God and true man, and the fathers of the council received it as the voice of Peter.
Leo of Catania
February 20, Hierarch, Λέων
St. Leo was Bishop of Catania in Sicily in the eighth century, a shepherd remembered for his mercy toward the poor and the sick, and honored as a wonderworker for the healings granted through his prayers. Tradition also tells of his boldness in confronting a notorious sorcerer who was leading the people astray, whose deceptions collapsed before the bishop's faith.
Leontios
June 18, Martyr, Λεόντιος
The Holy Martyr Leontios was a soldier of Greek descent who suffered for Christ at Tripoli in Phoenicia in the early centuries of the Church. A man of courage and charity, he confessed the Lord before his accusers, and tradition tells that his steadfastness under torment brought even those sent against him to faith in Christ, so that they shared his martyrdom.
Also celebrating with Leon
These names share the feast, many of them other forms of the same name:
Leo, Leonidas, Nidas, Leontos, Leontios, Leontius
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.
