When is Michael’s name day?

Most people named Michael keep their name day on November 8, the feast of the Synaxis of Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The Orthodox calendar has 2 other feasts for the name.

Every feast on which Michael is celebrated

The saints behind the name

• 

  Synaxis of Archangels Michael and Gabriel

  November 8, Great Feast, Αρχάγγελοι Μιχαήλ και Γαβριήλ

  On November 8 the Church celebrates the Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel together with all the Bodiless Powers of heaven. Michael, whose name asks Who is like God, is honored as the chief commander of the heavenly hosts who stood firm when the rebellious angels fell; Gabriel is the messenger who announced the Incarnation to the Theotokos.

  Name days: Michail, Michalis, Michales, Mike, Miguel, Michele, Mikes, Gabriel, Gavriil, Angelos, Angeli, Angelo, Michael, Aggelos, Stamatis, Stamatios, Taxiarchis, Raphael, Rafail, Michaela, Gabriella, Gavriella, Gavriela, Angeliki, Aggeliki, Angela, Angelina, Stamatia, Stamatina, Matina, Rafaela

• 

  Michael the Confessor

  May 23, Hierarch, Μιχαήλ

  St. Michael the Confessor was Bishop of Synnada in Phrygia in the eighth and ninth centuries. A man of holy life, he served the Church in times of trouble and stood firm for the veneration of the holy icons when the iconoclast emperors sought to destroy them. For his confession he was driven from his see and endured exile and hardship until his repose.

  Name days: Michail, Michalis, Michales, Mike, Mikes, Miguel, Michele, Michael

• 

  Miracle of Archangel Michael at Chonae

  September 6, Great Feast, Μιχαήλ Χωνών

  This feast commemorates the miracle wrought by the Archangel Michael at Chonae in Asia Minor. According to tradition, pagans sought to destroy a church and healing spring dedicated to the Archangel by turning rivers against it; at the prayer of the devout sacristan Archippos, the Archangel appeared, struck the rock with his staff, and channeled the waters harmlessly into a chasm, preserving the holy place.

  Name days: Michail, Michalis, Mike, Michael

Also celebrating on November 8

These names share the feast, many of them other forms of the same name:

Michail, Michalis, Michales, Mike, Miguel, Michele, Mikes, Gabriel, Gavriil, Angelos, Angeli, Angelo, Aggelos, Stamatis, Stamatios, Taxiarchis, Raphael, Rafail, Michaela, Gabriella, Gavriella, Gavriela, Angeliki, Aggeliki, Angela, Angelina, Stamatia, Stamatina, Matina, Rafaela

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.