A saint's feast day is an appointed day on which the Church gives particular liturgical remembrance to that saint. The date may be connected with the saint's death, an important event, or an established historical tradition.
Why commemorate saints every year? The Church calendar teaches through remembrance. The lives of saints show how Christian faith has been lived in different centuries, cultures, vocations, and circumstances.
What happens on a saint's feast? Services may include hymns, readings, prayers, and an icon associated with the saint. A parish dedicated to that saint may celebrate especially solemnly.
How does this relate to a name day? A Christian whose patron bears that name may observe the saint's feast as a personal name day.
See What Is an Orthodox Name Day? for more.
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Established with the blessing of V. Rev. Fr. Wiaczeslaw, Rector of Orthodox Christian Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (NY). |
