In Russia, such a holiday as a name day is traditionally celebrated. There are always many birthdays in June, July and August, but this holiday should not be confused with a birthday.
When to meet name day?
In the old days, Christians adhered to the tradition, according to which the name of the newborn is given in accordance with the Saints or the Monthly Book. Today, the name of the child can be chosen arbitrarily, but at baptism, the baby is given a second name in honor of the saint, whose feast day will be closer to the date of birth. Name days in June are celebrated by those born in this month.
There is a belief that a person's character to some extent depends on the season 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 in a person. Believers and church people explain that this statement is superstition, and the possession of the listed qualities is a mere coincidence.
Which saints are honored in June?
In various sources you can find a complete list of names indicated in the Saints. Igor, Fedor, Alexander, Leonid, Konstantin celebrate name day on June 18, because on this daythe memory of the Holy Prince Igor of Chernigov, the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, Prince Theodore of Novgorod, St. Constantine, Metropolitan of All Russia, and the Martyr Leonid is honored.
Prince Igor was the victim of a long internecine strife in ancient Kyiv. The descendants of Yaroslav the Wise divided into Olgovichi and Mstislavovichi. The boastfulness and pride of Prince Vsevolod Olgovich inspired the people of Kiev to brutally overthrow their brother Igor, who ruled after the death of Vsevolod. Igor Chernigovsky was tonsured a monk, and a year later he 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, together with his father, he liberated the 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 Righteous Alexy, Abbot Alexander of Vologda, St. Cyril of Alexandria, martyrs Martha, Mary and Thekla is honored on June 22, the name day of Alexander, Mary, Martha, Thekla, Alexei and Cyril on this day. Martyrs Mary, Martha and Thecla were tortured and beheaded for their faith in Christ.
St. Cyril fought against the Novatian and Nestorian heresy. Defending Orthodoxy, Cyril gently and carefully returned to the faith those who had gone astray due to ignorance. Alexander Vologda was awarded the rank of hieromonk andvoluntarily retired to seclusion at the mouth of the Kushta River, where after some time he built the Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos. Many miracles are associated with the name of Alexander Vologda.
How to meet the name day?
If you have a name day in June or any other month, this day does not need to be lavish festivities. You need to spend the name day doing righteous deeds, take communion well in the Church, order a prayer service for the he alth of your patron saint, read spiritual literature, give alms to those who ask.
