Name day
Emily: Name Day and Patron Saint
Emily keeps the name day on 22 May, or 4 June on the Old Calendar: the feast of St Aimilios.
- Patron saint
- St Aimilios
- New Calendar
- 22 May
- Old Calendar
- 4 June
- Next name day
- 22 May 2027 (New Calendar) · 4 June 2027 (Old Calendar)
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of May · The feasts of June
The patron saint: St Aimilios
Kept on 22 May, or 4 June on the Old Calendar
St Aimilios, known in the West as Aemilius, is remembered with his companion St Castus as a martyr of Carthage in North Africa. In 250 the emperor Decius ordered every Christian to sacrifice to the gods, and the two were arrested and imprisoned. Under torture they gave way at first: they denied that they were Christians and were set free. But they could not live with what they had done. They repented, and when they were taken a second time they would not deny Christ again, and they were burned alive for Him. St Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage who lived through that persecution, wrote of them that the Lord had forgiven them, so that those who were overcome in the first battle became victors in the second; those who had fled the flames now endured them, pleading not with tears but with their wounds. St Augustine later preached on their feast and drew the lesson plainly: they fell while they trusted in their own strength, and they conquered when they fought in humility, leaning on God. He urged the faithful to imitate their victory, not their fall. The Church keeps their memory on 22 May (4 June on the Old Calendar). Their story is a word of hope for every Christian who has stumbled, for it shows that repentance is never too late and that God raises up those who return to Him. The faithful ask the prayers of Sts Aimilios and Castus for courage, for humility, and for a true return after a fall.
What the faithful pray for
- true repentance after a fall
- courage to confess Christ when it is costly
- humility, and trust in God rather than in ourselves
- those who have drifted from the faith and long to return
- strength in times of trial
Other saints named Emily
St Emilia
Kept on 1 January, or 14 January on the Old Calendar
Emily in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Emily, Emilia, Emilie, Emely | Em, Emmy, Millie |
| Greek | Αιμιλία, Aimilia, Emilia | |
| Russian | Эмилия, Emilia | |
| Romanian | Emilia | |
| Italian | Emilia |
An icon for Emily
We don't carry an icon of St Aimilios yet. Ask for it below, and we will write to you when it is in.
Closest to it
For every name: the Guardian Angel, given at baptism
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you: Consecration, $49.
A name-day gift for Emily
Name-Day Gift Set $213$149
A patron saint's folding diptych chosen by first name, a stainless steel crucifix and a prayer rope, in a gift box with a card giving the saint's life and feast day.
The St Nicholas the Wonderworker & Guardian Angel Folding Diptych is chosen, for the Guardian Angel every Orthodox Christian receives at baptism, and the name is filled in.
Other names with this saint
Questions
When is Emily’s name day?
Emily keeps the name day on 22 May on the New Calendar and on 4 June on the Old Calendar, the feast of St Aimilios.
Who is the patron saint of Emily?
St Aimilios. St Aimilios, known in the West as Aemilius, is remembered with his companion St Castus as a martyr of Carthage in North Africa.
How is Emily written in other languages?
Greek: Αιμιλία (Aimilia), Russian: Эмилия (Emilia), Romanian: Emilia and Italian: Emilia. Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Emily?
We don’t carry an icon of St Aimilios yet, and you can ask for one on this page. Every Orthodox Christian has a Guardian Angel from baptism, so the Name-Day Gift Set ($149) with the Guardian Angel diptych is always fitting.
More about name days
- Name Days Explained: What They Are, How Families Keep Them, and Gifts
A name day is the feast of the saint whose name you carry. Here is how to find yours on either calendar, how Greek and Russian families keep it, and what to give.
- Orthodox Patron Saint: How to Find Yours (by Name, Day or Choice)
Your Orthodox patron saint is the saint whose name you were given at baptism. Here is how to find yours by name, by the day of your birth or baptism, or by choice, and how to keep the name day.
- Find another name