Recently, we can observe how the tradition of celebrating a name day is gradually returning. For Orthodox people, the day of the angel is of particular importance; they celebrate it without fail.
On this holiday, people remember the saints whose names they bear and pray to them. In the Orthodox
tradition, this celebration is called namesake. On the day of the angel Maxim, his relatives should ask God for his well-being and health.
Traditions of antiquity
In Russia, children were given names during baptism, and they were selected in accordance with some rules. Usually the baby was named after a saint who was remembered on the day when he was born or when he was baptized. It turns out that the name was given to the child, based on the holy calendar (Orthodox calendar). But time passed, and people, especially city dwellers, gradually began to abandon this tradition. They preferred to name the children as they like. Also, often the child was called by the name of a relative. And some people in whose family there was no replenishment for a long time prayed to some saint with a request for posterity. And when the baby was born, they named him after their heavenly helper.
How to find out the date of your angel day?
Each Maxim name day celebrates on a certain day.
Peering into the Orthodox calendar, a person can find many dates opposite his name. This does not mean that he should celebrate the day of the angel several times a year. You must choose the date that comes immediately after your birthday. According to the church calendar, Maxim celebrates the birthday on February 19, April 23,
March 4, August 12, 24, 11, 13, May 27, September 18, 28, November 10, October 22, December 5, August 26,
February 3, January 29, November 24th. You yourself see how many dates.
Maxim Kavsokalivit
It is necessary to know at least a little about the saints who bore this name. For example, the biography of Rev. Maxim Kavsokalivit undoubtedly deserves attention. He was born in Mysia, and more specifically, in the city of Lampsack, located on the coast of the Sea of Marmara. From an early age, a tendency toward a righteous life manifested in him. A little later, he accepted obedience, and the elder, known throughout the country, Mark, became his spiritual teacher. Maxim lived at that time on Mount Gan.
Wanderings and the appearance of St. Mary
After the death of Mark, he began to wander and visit the monks who settled in the desert. He spent a lot of time in Constantinople. Once Saint Mary appeared to him, she said: "Go to Athos, Maxim." The namesakes of his namesakes, therefore, should also be the day of remembrance of the Mother of God. On Athos, the blessed one became a novice with the Monk Athanasius. Once, being at the top of the mountain, he again saw Saint Mary, who appeared before him in all her greatness. Maxim hastened to tell this to an old man who reacted with disbelief and suggested that the devil was tempting him in this way. Based on the lifestyle of the saint, most likely, he can be called a holy fool.
All his life he wandered around the world. When he stopped somewhere, he made himself a house of grass. Going off again, Maxim burned this hut. So he received the nickname Kavsokalivit, that is, destroying huts. The saint prayed all the time, and it is safe to say that his life was extremely pleasing to God. So any Maxim who celebrates a birthday on the day of the saint, should try to be a righteous person.
Life in a cave, predictions of the future and miracles
Once, when the blessed one lived on Athos, the Monk Gregory of Sinait came there, who was also famous for righteousness and humility. After a brief conversation with Maxim, he said that he had the impression that an angel had descended to the earth. Gregory advised him to stop wandering and find a permanent home. Then the blessed one found a suitable cave not far from the hut of the elder Isaiah. It is no secret that Rev. Maxim could foresee the future. More than once, King John V Palaeologus came to him to receive predictions and wise advice. Also, his frequent guest was John VI Kontakuzin, who was always surprised by the accurate predictions of the saint. Therefore, each Maxim, whose nameday falls on the day of remembrance of the saint, should hope that he will help him. One loser left blissful records that have survived to the present. You can learn from them that he himself witnessed some miracles. For example, once he saw how Maxim flew like a bird from one section to another. In addition, the saint predicted to him the fate of the future and all the torment that he suffered in the name of faith. Maxim died when he was 95 years old. It was 1354.
During his lifetime, many revered him as a saint, and after his death he was officially canonized. People pray to him and do not cease to be amazed at the miracles and healings that occur according to his will.
How to celebrate angel day
According to the Orthodox calendar, Maxim’s birthday is not only a feast and fun gatherings with friends and relatives. You must also remember your heavenly patron and ask him for protection from all sorrows and tribulations. Often a person who prays with all his heart receives a real blessing from his saint. The patron extends his arms over him, and grace descends upon man. Who knows, maybe a miracle will happen to you in your name day?