Name day
Gabriel: Name Day and Patron Saint
Gabriel keeps the name day on 26 March, or 8 April on the Old Calendar: the feast of the Archangel Gabriel.
By Greek custom the name day is 8 November: the Synaxis of the Archangels.
- Patron saint
- the Archangel Gabriel
- New Calendar
- 26 March
- Old Calendar
- 8 April
- Next name day
- 26 March 2027 (New Calendar) · 8 April 2027 (Old Calendar)
- Greek custom
- 8 November: the Synaxis of the Archangels
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of March · The feasts of April
The patron saint: the Archangel Gabriel
Kept on 26 March, or 8 April on the Old Calendar · Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
The Archangel Gabriel is one of the leaders of the heavenly hosts and a faithful servant of God, whose name is usually rendered “Man of God”. The Scriptures and the Church’s tradition remember him above all as the messenger of our salvation. He came to the Prophet Daniel in his visions and revealed what was to befall Israel. In the Temple he appeared to the priest Zacharias and foretold the birth of St John the Forerunner. Most of all, he was sent to the Virgin Mary in Nazareth to announce that she would bear the Son of God, to the great rejoicing of all mankind. Tradition also remembers him guiding St Joseph in a dream, strengthening Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane before His Passion, and bringing the joyful news of the Resurrection to the Myrrh-bearing Women. Because he served the mystery of the Incarnation, the Church honours him on the day after the Annunciation, giving thanks to the Lord and venerating His messenger. The Church keeps his memory on 26 March (8 April on the Old Calendar); he is remembered again on 13 July, and with all the angels on 8 November. In icons he is often shown in blue or white, holding a lily or a lantern. The faithful ask his prayers trusting in his intercession, and especially when they wait on God’s word, look for good news, or need courage to receive His will as the Virgin did.
What the faithful pray for
- those who await good news
- readiness to hear and receive God’s will
- expectant mothers and families waiting for a child
- strength in hours of anguish and prayer
- messengers, teachers and all who carry the Gospel
Other saints named Gabriel
the Synaxis of the Archangels
Kept on 8 November, or 21 November on the Old Calendar · Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the Bodiless Powers
The feast of all the angels, led by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. In Greek custom Angelos and Angeliki keep the name day on this feast.
St Gabriel of Georgia
Kept on 2 November, or 15 November on the Old Calendar · Venerable Gabriel (Urgebadze), Confessor and Fool-for-Christ
The Georgian monk who burned a portrait of Lenin in front of a crowd on May Day 1965 and lived as a fool for Christ.
Venerable Gabriel
Kept on 15 January, or 28 January on the Old Calendar
Hieromartyr Gabriel the Lesser
Kept on 17 March, or 30 March on the Old Calendar
Gabriel in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Gabriel, Gavriel, Gavril, Gabriele | Gabe, Gabby |
| Greek | Γαβριήλ, Gavriil, Gabriel | Γαβρίλης |
| Russian | Гавриил, Гаврила, Gavriil, Gavrila | Гаврюша, Ганя, Gavryusha |
| Ukrainian | Гаврило, Havrylo | |
| Bulgarian | Гавраил, Gavrail | |
| Serbian | Гаврило, Gavrilo | |
| Romanian | Gavril, Gabriel | |
| Georgian | Gabriel, Gabrieli | |
| Arabic | جبرائيل, جبرايل, Jibrail, Gebrayel, Jubrail | |
| Spanish | Gabriel |
An icon for Gabriel
We don't carry an icon of the Archangel Gabriel yet. Ask for it below, and we will write to you when it is in.
Closest to it
Folding diptychSt Matthew the Apostle & Guardian Angel
Kept on the same day, 8 November$99$69
MedallionOrthodox St. Michael Archangel
Silver Color · Stainless Steel MedallionKept on the same day, 8 November$70$49
Folding diptychChrist (Zvenigorod Saviour) & Vladimir Mother of God
Christ and the Mother of God keep every Christian home$99$69
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 Gabriel
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 Gabriel’s name day?
Gabriel keeps the name day on 26 March on the New Calendar and on 8 April on the Old Calendar, the feast of the Archangel Gabriel. By Greek custom it is kept on 8 November: the Synaxis of the Archangels.
Who is the patron saint of Gabriel?
the Archangel Gabriel. The Archangel Gabriel is one of the leaders of the heavenly hosts and a faithful servant of God, whose name is usually rendered “Man of God”.
How is Gabriel written in other languages?
Greek: Γαβριήλ (Gavriil), Russian: Гавриил (Gavriil), Ukrainian: Гаврило (Havrylo), Bulgarian: Гавраил (Gavrail), Serbian: Гаврило (Gavrilo) and Romanian: Gavril. Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Gabriel?
We don’t carry an icon of the Archangel Gabriel 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