Saint Days in Greece & St. Demetrios October 26–the patron saint of Thessaloniki

​Photo above: Thessaloniki: the beautiful “co-capital” of Greece–a big city with a small town feel, full of Ancient, Byzantine, Ottoman & Jewish history, famous for its cuisine and eateries and amazing surrounding areas to visit. Here is the podcast I did about Thessaloniki for Armature Traveler with many links to more information about what we discuss in the podcast.

There are many Saint days throughout the year and most Greeks are named for these saints–actually the tradition is that you are named after your paternal grandfather or grandmother, who sometime in the distant past was named after a saint. One’s saint days are special days where all who know you wish you many years–almost like a birthday, with presents from family and the person who is celebrating usually treats friends and family to dinner or drinks.

The Saints, themselves are very prominent in Greek culture. They are venerated and worshipped, The pious ask favors and miracles are granted. “Tamata” –votive offerings or promises of actions are given to saints or if they are objects, left beside icons in exchange for miracles granted or requests made by the faithful.

One of the most prominent saints is St. Demetrios, who is celebrated on October 26. This is a special day all over Greece, but especially for those who have the name Demetri or Demetra and for the co-capital, the 2nd largest city in Greece as well as during the years of Byzantium, the lovely Thessaloniki, whose patron saint and protector is St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki. The celebration usually involves processions and parades headed by priests holding the icon of St, Demetrios. The city is lit up for 3 nights to include the national holiday “Oxi” (No) Day of October 28. Here is an article with a short history of the saint–and here is another one with more history from a fellow philhellene blogger.