When is Rafaela’s name day?

Rafaela can be celebrated on 2 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 Rafaela is celebrated

The saints behind the name

• Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesbos

  April 9, Martyr, Ραφαήλ, Νικόλαος και Ειρήνη

  Raphael, an archimandrite, and his deacon Nicholas were living at the monastery of Karyes near Thermi on Lesbos when the Turks attacked in 1463, ten years after the fall of Constantinople. With them was the twelve-year-old Irene, daughter of the village elder, and others who had taken refuge there.

  Name days: Rafail, Raphael, Rafael, Rafaella, Rafaela, Raffaella

• 

  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

Also celebrating with Rafaela

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

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

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.