An important part of Greek culture is the church. So celebrating your name day or saints day is another way to show appreciation for the days gone by. It’s not so important nowadays but the tradition continues. Mine is March 25th but I’ve never celebrated it because it’s too early in the year and I’m never in Greece then.
Do you have any unique celebrations like this in your country?
Best wishes
Angela
Posted by 
In India, there is a naming ceremony in Hindu community to formalize the name of child. However, it is not celebrated every year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know there is a special ceremony when a child is born and you go to the temple for the priest to pick out the letters that should be in the name. However I don’t know any more than that so could you tell me please.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, generally this is followed. Unless, the parents have already thought of some name in memory of another person, they visit a priest. The priest finds out the initials of the name using astrology.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t. However, my mother-in-law does. I had not really realised that name days were the same as saints days and different from birthdays until last week. It must be a European thing as she is from Bulgaria.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You do have one because your name is Christian. Your name day is December 18th and st Samantha was an Irish catholic saint. http://www.caringcatholicconvert.com/_sites/wordpress/articles/saints/saint-samantha/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not so sure about that one. I would suggest that it is pre-christian. Purely as the Samoria and the Samoria sound was around before then. Plus the sound sama veda was also used before then…also even Samuel is mentioned in Hebrew writings…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know about Samuel as it’s my husband’s name and it just so happens he is well named as his birthday is 2 days later.
LikeLike
Lol how funny! It’s a great name. I can choose Sam or Samantha. As an electrical engineer I swear I only got on site by using ‘Sam Harris’ on my CV. LMAO
LikeLiked by 1 person
They actually did that on stargate sg1 (tv show) as they knew the only way colonel jack o neill would accept a girl is if he thought it was a man (Captain sam[antha] Carter.)I’d say a building site will forever be a man’s domain.
LikeLike
Lets hope not as building sites are great work places. I have worked with all female crew on site in London. The job ran well. Women are just as creative as men so it’s right and proper that they ought be involved in community builds. They tore down my college and moved it ten miles out whilst I was training but I proved that a disabled female could qualify and then gain full time employment within the construction industry. My daughter became a painter and decorator so it will continue. My grandaughter’s favorite toy is her tool box and her toy electric drill…love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s nice that you have experienced something different to the norm.
LikeLike
It would be interesting to know what the norm is. The mean of female professions globally would probably be very difficult to quantify.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never heard of women on building sites before and considering one of our family’s businesses is rooflights, windows and doors with another being in stone you would think that I would have.
LikeLike
you don`t need to be in Greece to celebrate your day, Angela.
You can create your own tradition at home.
No, in Northern Germany we are not very religious (and if so, we are protestants) and are not used to celebrate names. We prefer original pagan rituals like Easter Fires, Midsummer Festivals etc.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I suppose I don’t but it’s also Greek Independence Day and nobody is too enthused when I try to celebrate that or Oxi day. That’s October 28th when the Greeks said no to the Germans in world war 2.
We do have traditions in the uk like May Day or the hop festival but there not celebrated often. It depends whether you know the Morris men or not. They are the people that dance with bells on there clothes and bang sticks together. It’s English country dancing that you get taught in primary school and then you never see it again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Morris men?… never heard of it before but it is nice if traditions and festivals are maintained.
In fact, I didn`t know my names day. I had to google it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Morris men are a bizarre English tradition that most people are not aware of. Also most people are not aware of there name day outside of religious countries. I wasn’t until I came to Greece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is morris dancing and sword dancing both these dances go back hundreds of years. I do not know an english person who doesnt know what morris dancing is lol we all did it at school. Morris dancers every spring in most towns. The rods and ribbons all have symbolic meanings, nods to old rituals and laws.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen Morris dancers many times in many places but I’m yet to visit the big festival they have every year in Hastings for spring time.
LikeLike
Athena or Angela is your name…???
My name is Eftixia and celebrate on 6 of April here in Greece.. nickname is EFI !!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Angela hence my name day is March 25th.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ηοw do you prefer to call you Athena or Angela ????
LikeLiked by 1 person
Angela
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok !!!! Kisses Angela ( i like it more)!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kisses
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never knew about this custom but it sounds cool. We could all learn a little by celebrating each aspect of our life. Thank you for this reminder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an ancient custom that turns up in game of thrones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I nominated you for Sunshine Blogger Award: https://betulerbasi.com/2019/05/12/sunshine-blogger-award/
You can answer the same questions as me:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the nomination but I’m currently having a break as there are non blog related things that I need to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take a good break! You can answer the questions whenever you are back, if you want to do so!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankyou
LikeLiked by 1 person
mine is June 13 St Anthony of P
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankyou for commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re are welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person