When is Photios’s name day?

Photios 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 Photios is celebrated

The saints behind the name

• 

  Theophany

  January 6, Great Feast, Θεοφάνεια

  The Feast of Theophany, or Epiphany, commemorates the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ by St. John the Forerunner in the River Jordan. As Christ came up from the waters, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father was heard — the first clear revelation of the Holy Trinity.

  Name days: Theophanis, Theofanis, Phanos, Phanis, Theophanes, Fanis, Fotis, Fotios, Photios, Iordanis, Theophania, Theofania, Fani, Fotini, Foteini, Photini, Fotoula, Ourania, Rania, Theopoula, Peristera

• Photios the Great

  February 6, Hierarch, Φώτιος ο Μέγας

  St. Photios was born in Constantinople in the ninth century to a devout family that had suffered for the holy icons. A man of immense learning, he served in the imperial administration before being raised to the patriarchal throne. He sent missionaries to the Slavs, among them Sts. Cyril and Methodios, and defended the Orthodox faith against the innovations of the Latins.

  Name days: Photios, Fotios, Fotis, Photis, Fotini, Photini, Foteini, Fotoula, Fay

• 

  Martyrs Photius & Anicetas

  August 12, Martyr, Φώτιος και Ανίκητος

  Sts. Photius and Anicetas were martyrs of Nicomedia who suffered during the persecution of Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. According to tradition they were kinsmen; Anicetas confessed Christ boldly before the emperor, and Photius embraced him and followed him in his confession. Together they endured imprisonment and many torments, and were finally put to death by fire, receiving together the crown of martyrdom.

  Name days: Photios, Fotis, Fotios

Also celebrating with Photios

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

Theophanis, Theofanis, Phanos, Phanis, Theophanes, Fanis, Fotis, Fotios, Iordanis, Theophania, Theofania, Fani, Fotini, Foteini, Photini, Fotoula, Ourania, Rania, Theopoula, Peristera, Photis, Fay

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.