Which names celebrate on 14 September?
The Greek name day on 14 September concerns several variants of the root names Stavros and Stavroula. Men named Stavros, Stavrianos, Stavrakas, Stavrakios, Stavris and Stavrakis mark the day. Women named Stavroula, Stavriani, Stavrina and Stavria also celebrate. Additional names include Theoklis, Theokleas and Theokleia. These variants reflect common diminutives and regional forms used across Greece, allowing extended family members who share the same root to observe the feast together. The inclusion of Theoklis and its feminine forms connects directly to the commemoration of Saint Theoklis the Martyr on the same date.
Why is 14 September a major Orthodox feast?
The day holds deep significance in the Orthodox calendar. The Church honours the Elevation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross along with the martyr Saint Theoklis. The feast recalls the finding of the True Cross in Jerusalem and its later public veneration. This combination of a major relic feast with the memory of a martyr gives the date a dual character of joy and solemn reflection that is observed in churches throughout Greece and the diaspora.
The discovery of the Cross in 326
According to tradition, Saint Helen travelled to Jerusalem in 326 to visit the holy places and give thanks for the victories of her son, Emperor Constantine. She ordered the removal of a pagan temple of Aphrodite built on Golgotha and began excavations. Three crosses were uncovered. To identify the Cross of Christ, Bishop Makarios touched each one to the body of a recently deceased pious woman. When the third cross was applied, the woman revived. The news spread rapidly and crowds gathered to venerate the relic. To prevent accidents from the press of people, the Cross was raised high inside the church so all could see and honour it. The event established the liturgical practice of elevating the Cross for the faithful to view without danger from overcrowding. The source material leaves open the precise location within the church where the relic was first displayed after identification. The divine zeal of Saint Helen drove the search after the temple demolition, and the three crosses created immediate uncertainty resolved only by the miraculous test performed by Bishop Makarios and the priests. The revival confirmed the True Cross and triggered widespread excitement across Jerusalem.
A second elevation recorded in 628
Some synaxaria also note an elevation in Constantinople in 628. Emperor Heraclius recovered the Cross after defeating the Avars, who had taken it from the Holy Land. He restored the relic to the capital and raised it publicly once more. This second elevation reinforces the feast's theme of recovery and triumph, linking the 326 discovery with later historical events preserved in certain synaxaria. The account in some synaxaria presents the 628 event as a restoration following the loss of the relic, underscoring repeated cycles of loss and recovery that shape the liturgical memory of the feast.
How Greeks observe the name day today
Families with the relevant names gather for meals or church services. Many attend the Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Elevation of the Cross. The day combines personal celebration with the wider liturgical commemoration of the Cross. Observance often includes visits to churches dedicated to the Holy Cross and the exchange of traditional wishes among those celebrating their name day.
Frequently asked questions
Which names celebrate on 14 September?
Stavros and its variants for men, Stavroula and its variants for women, plus Theoklis and Theokleia.
What does the Orthodox Church celebrate on this date?
The Elevation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross and the memory of Saint Theoklis the Martyr.
When was the Cross discovered according to tradition?
The discovery is placed in 326 during the pilgrimage of Saint Helen to Jerusalem.
Why is the Cross raised high during the feast?
The elevation allows the faithful to see and venerate the relic without the danger of overcrowding.
Is there a second historical elevation?
Yes, some sources record an elevation in Constantinople in 628 after Emperor Heraclius recovered the Cross.
