Here are 6 guidelines that may help to establish a “liturgy” in your home for celebrating this beautiful day. Honoring your patron saint on your Name’s Day is a rich practice that draws you closer to your patron. A Name Day as an Orthodox Christian is comparable the joy of a birthday celebration. At birthdays we celebrate ourselves, but a Name Day we honor, reflect, pray, and strive to emulate a saint. All saints are worthy of emulating, but your Patron Saint is unique.

Last week we celebrated the feast day of St Elizabeth the New Martyr (July 5th/18th), who is my oldest daughter’s patron saint. I thought I’d share how our family celebrates name days!