When is Stephanos’s name day?

Most people named Stephanos keep their name day on December 27, the feast of Stephen the First Martyr. The Orthodox calendar has 3 other feasts for the name.

Every feast on which Stephanos is celebrated

The saints behind the name

• 

  Stephen the First Martyr

  December 27, Martyr, Στέφανος Πρωτομάρτυς

  St. Stephen, the Protomartyr and Archdeacon, was one of the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles to serve the first church in Jerusalem. Full of grace and power, he preached Christ boldly; accused before the council, he beheld the heavens opened and the Son of Man at the right hand of God, and was stoned to death, praying for his slayers, while the young Saul, the future Apostle Paul, stood by.

  Name days: Stefanos, Stefanis, Stephanos, Stefan, Stephen, Steve, Stefania, Stephania, Stephanie, Stefanie

• 

  Stephen the Sabbaite

  July 13, Venerable, Στέφανος ο Σαββαΐτης

  St. Stephen the Sabbaite was a monk of the renowned Lavra of St. Savas in the Judean desert, living in the eighth century. Given to the monastery from childhood, he grew up in its life of prayer, was formed in its discipline, and spent his years in ascetic struggle, stillness, and love for the brethren, becoming a spiritual guide to many.

  Name days: Stephen, Stephanos, Stefanos

• 

  Translation of Relics of St. Stephen

  August 2, Martyr, Στέφανος Πρωτομάρτυρας

  This feast commemorates the translation of the relics of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, the first to shed his blood for Christ, stoned outside Jerusalem as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. According to tradition, his long-hidden relics were revealed in the fifth century and were later brought with great honor to Constantinople, where the faithful received them with rejoicing.

  Name days: Stephen, Stephanos, Stefanos

The other feasts are listed in the table above, each with a link to the saint’s life.

Also celebrating on December 27

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

Stefanos, Stefanis, Stefan, Stephen, Steve, Stefania, Stephania, Stephanie, Stefanie

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.