The very first thing that is given to a person at birth is a name. This is not just a word that a child will be called. The name determines the character, gives a person special strength and skills. For centuries, parents have been picking a baby’s name using the Orthodox calendar. In the church calendar you can find information about what day and month corresponds to the name of the saint. This calendar is a good help for parents: it allows you to decide on a name that, possibly, will bring your baby luck and happiness.
Name Day, Small Name Day and Birthday - is there a difference?
Unlike birthday, Angel Day has a fundamental spiritual meaning. Memorial day of the heavenly patron, whose name a person bears, has other names, for example, namesake day. Often in the church calendar there are several days of remembrance of the named saints. For example, name-days of Pelagia are revered nine times! Not only Poles can celebrate several dates of a name day. Angel Day several times a year with Mary, Anastasia, Catherine. Galina's birthday is celebrated twice a year.
Defining one day for a name day is not easy. However, church practice implies that Angel's Day should be the day that is closest to the date of birth forward on the calendar. Memorial days of other saints with the same name are called small name days. It is worth noting that these are recommendations rather than rules. The patron saint can choose any saint with his own name.
Papa-daughter: what to name the baby born in February?
If you don’t know how to name a daughter born in February, a church calendar will come to the rescue with information about who celebrates women's birthday in February. On the first of these, Angel Day is celebrated by Theodosius (given by God) and Louise (smiling). February 2 - Karina (impeccable), Vasilisa (princess), the "Roman" Rimma and the "stormy stream of water" Inna. Name day (Angel Day) on the third of February is celebrated by Agnia (immaculate) and Anastasia (resurrected). By the way, Anastasia can celebrate her birthday and the fourth of February. The fifth is the day of remembrance of such saints as Evdokia (benevolence), Agatha (kind) and Catherine (pure and great). By the way, the name day of Evdokia can be celebrated not only on this day: in the church calendar, female name days in February are celebrated for girls with this name on February 13 and 14.
On the sixth of February, Ksenia and Oksana celebrate name days. These two names have the same translation - "guest". Ladies with the name Felicata (happy) can celebrate Angel Day on February 7th. The eighth, seventeenth, and twenty-fifth of February are the name day of Mary, whose name means "stubborn."
The 10th is the day of memory of the "bright" Olga, and the twelfth is the name day of Pelagia (sea). Theoctists (created by God), Athanasius (immortal) and Theodosius (given by God) can celebrate Angel Day on February 13. The sixteenth day is the day of remembrance of the prophetess Anna, whose name translates as "grace", and the twenty third is the noble Princess Anna of Novgorod. "Chaste" Agafia marks the birthday on February 18, the "protector of the people" Alexander, the "follower of Christ" Christina and the "noble" Martha - on the nineteenth.
On February 23, they can celebrate the girl's nameday, named Bella (beauty), Valentina (strong). On the same day, the name day of Galina is celebrated (calm). The 26th of the last winter month is the birthday of Zoya, the “peace-loving” Irina, and the “bright” Svetlana. Women's birthday in February according to the church calendar is celebrated by Euphrosyne (joy) and Sofia (wisdom) - on the 28th.
How to celebrate women's birthday in February?
Name Day - a very personal and spiritual holiday. So, one feast and meeting guests can not do. The main place of celebration is the temple! On Angel Day, it is recommended that you go to confession and communion. If you do not want to refuse a festive meal, it is worth observing a number of rules.
Of course, it is worth giving up drinking alcohol on a name day. No place for celebration and strangers. Communication should be close, filled with bright joy and spirituality. It is necessary to invite the godparents - they must certainly share the joy with the birthday man!
Name day in the post
If Angel Day falls on Wednesday, Friday, or fast, you should consider the menu well. The table must be lean. Lent also introduces certain limitations. At this time, it is better to postpone the birthday celebration for the coming weekend.
Gifts for women's birthday in February
Of course, gifts on name day are significantly different from what we used to give on birthdays. Do not bring a birthday person with cosmetics and alcohol, dishes or other household items. A cash gift is also not the best option.
What to give a woman on a birthday? The most appropriate gift is a personalized icon. Moreover, it is best to order it from a professional icon painter. For the triumph of the soul, you can give beautiful candles, books, vessels for holy water.
Angel Day Analog
One of the biggest holidays in Serbia is the Cross Glory. Indeed, in this country, every family has its own patron saint. The inheritance of the saint comes from father to sons. Daughters inherit a patron only if they remain in their own family.
On this day, the whole family goes to church. Communion is followed by a gala dinner. Serbs have two duties on this day. The first is a prayer for all relatives, living and dead. And the second is treating guests. The feast can last up to three days!
A similar holiday in Bulgaria is called Svets. On this day, the oldest representative of the clan went around relatives. Raising the ceremonial bread, he wished the family members happiness, after which he broke the bread and distributed it.