“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” - Oprah Winfrey
Today is St Nicholas’ Day, celebrated by Catholics, Orthodox and some other Christian groups. As my name is Nicholas, it is also my Name Day, or Onomastic Feast Day, to be more precise. In many countries, and certainly including Greece, one’s Name Day (which is celebrated on the Feast Day of the saint whose name one bears) is a big personal cause for celebration, equivalent to (or even more so) importance to one’s birthday.
Usually in Greece, the person celebrating their Name Day has an open house that day so that friends and relatives may drop in and give their wishes, give presents of flowers, sweets or drinks and in turn be regaled with various treats in return. Formal dinners may also be given, but generally the celebration is an informal reception at one’s home. As everyone should know what Saint’s Feast Day falls on what calendar day, it is rather a big insult not to wish one’s friends’ celebrating their Name Day, Χρόνια Πολλά (Chrónia Pollá - “Many Happy Returns of the Day”), or not to visit.
I’ve had a very nice day already, with family, friends and colleagues wishing me well. Tonight we have a dinner party for some close friends and we shall celebrate quietly with some good food, a little wine and pleasant conversation. Fittingly, my word for this Thesaurus Thursday is:
onomastic |ˌänəˈmastik|adjective
Of or relating to the study of the history and origin of proper names.
ORIGIN late 16th cent. (as a noun in the sense [alphabetical list of proper nouns], from Greek onomastikos, from onoma ‘name.’ The adjective dates from the early 18th century.
To all my 360 friends called Nicholas, Nick, Nicky, Nikos, Nikolas, Nikolaus, Colin, Col, Klaus, Klaas, Nicolette, Colette, Colinne, I wish you Many Happy Returns of your Name Day! Χρόνια Πολλά!
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