In Russia, such a holiday as name day is traditionally celebrated. In June, July and August there are always many birthday people, but do not confuse this holiday with a happy birthday.
When to meet name day?
In former times, Christians adhered to the tradition that a name is given to a newborn in accordance with the Holy Week or the Month. Today, the name of the child can be chosen arbitrarily, but when baptized, the baby is given a second name in honor of the saint, whose memorial day will be closer to the date of birth. Birthdays in June celebrate those born this month.
There is a belief that a person’s character to some extent depends on the time of year in which he was born. Some believe that name-days in June suggest such qualities as inconstancy, quickness of mind, sociability, luck, charm and hospitality. Believers and churches explain that this statement is superstition, and the possession of these qualities is a mere coincidence.
What saints are remembered in June?
In various sources you can find a complete list of names indicated in the Saints. Igor, Fyodor, Alexander, Leonid, Konstantin celebrate their name day on June 18, as the memory of Holy Prince Igor Chernigovsky, Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, Prince Theodore of Novgorod, St. Constantine, Metropolitan of All Russia, and the martyr Leonid are revered.
Prince Igor was the victim of a long internecine feud in ancient Kiev. The descendants of Yaroslav the Wise were divided into Olgovich and Mstislavovich. The boasting and pride of Prince Vsevolod Olgovich prompted the people of Kiev to brutally overthrow the brother Igor, who ruled after the death of Vsevolod. Igor Chernigovsky was tonsured a monk, and after a year of stay in the monastery was brutally executed.
Prince Alexander Nevsky is the grandson of Vsevolod the Big Nest, known for his meek and pious disposition. Alexander became famous when, at the age of 20, he and his father freed Russian land from the crusaders, repelling the attack of the Swedes and Germans. For the victory in the battle on the Neva, he received the nickname Alexander Nevsky. The prince established an alliance with Batu Khan and strengthened the southern borders of Russia, strengthened the position of the Russian Church.
The memory of the righteous Alexy, Abbot Alexander Vologodsky, St. Cyril of Alexandria, the martyrs Martha, Mary and Thekla is revered on June 22, Alexander, Mary, Martha, Thekla, Alexei and Cyril have the name day on this day. Martyrs Mary, Martha, and Thecla, for their faith in Christ, were tortured and truncated by the head.
Saint Cyril fought against the Novatian and Nestorian heresies. Defending Orthodoxy, Cyril gently and cautiously returned to the faith of the lost by unreason. Alexander Vologodsky was awarded the rank of hieromonk and retired voluntarily to retreat to the estuary of the Kushta River , where after a while he built the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many miracles are associated with the name of Alexander Vologodsky.
How to meet name day?
If you have a name day in June or any other month, you don’t need to hold lavish festivities on this day. Spend a name day, doing righteous deeds, take good communion in the Church, order a prayer for health to your patron saint, engage in reading spiritual literature, and give alms to those who ask.