Name day
Samuel: Name Day and Patron Saint
Samuel keeps the name day on 20 August, or 2 September on the Old Calendar: the feast of the Prophet Samuel.
- Patron saint
- the Prophet Samuel
- New Calendar
- 20 August
- Old Calendar
- 2 September
- Next name day
- 20 August 2027 (New Calendar) · 2 September 2027 (Old Calendar)
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of August · The feasts of September
The patron saint: the Prophet Samuel
Kept on 20 August, or 2 September on the Old Calendar · Holy Prophet Samuel
The Prophet Samuel was the last of the Judges of Israel, a Levite and the son of Elkanah of Ramathaim-Zophim on Mount Ephraim. His mother Hannah had no children and asked the Lord for a son with many tears, and his name means “asked of God.” Even before his birth she dedicated him to the Lord, and when he was about three she brought him, as she had vowed, to the tabernacle at Shiloh and left him in the care of the high priest Eli. At twelve Samuel received a revelation from God that the house of Eli would be punished, because Eli had not restrained his sons. It came to pass: the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, Eli’s sons fell in battle, and Eli died at the news. Samuel then judged Israel, and when the people returned to God the Ark was given back and their lost cities recovered. In time the elders demanded a king like other nations. Samuel saw this as a falling away from God, who had ruled them through His chosen servants, yet he anointed Saul as king. When Saul disobeyed God, Samuel rebuked him and anointed the young David, and later sheltered David when Saul pursued him. He served God and His people for forty years and died in great old age; in 406 his relics were brought to Constantinople. The Church remembers him on 20 August (2 September on the Old Calendar).
What the faithful pray for
- parents longing for a child, as Hannah did
- children given to God and raised in the Church
- those who must hear and answer God’s call
- leaders and judges, for justice and obedience to God
- the young who serve in the altar
Samuel in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Samuel, Samuele, Shmuel, Samuil | Sam, Sammy, Sammie |
| Greek | Σαμουήλ, Samouil | |
| Russian | Самуил, Samuil | |
| Bulgarian | Самуил | |
| Serbian | Самуило, Samuilo | |
| Arabic | صموئيل, Samuel, Samuil |
An icon for Samuel
We don't carry an icon of the Prophet Samuel 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 Samuel
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.
Questions
When is Samuel’s name day?
Samuel keeps the name day on 20 August on the New Calendar and on 2 September on the Old Calendar, the feast of the Prophet Samuel.
Who is the patron saint of Samuel?
the Prophet Samuel. The Prophet Samuel was the last of the Judges of Israel, a Levite and the son of Elkanah of Ramathaim-Zophim on Mount Ephraim.
How is Samuel written in other languages?
Greek: Σαμουήλ (Samouil), Russian: Самуил (Samuil), Bulgarian: Самуил, Serbian: Самуило (Samuilo) and Arabic: صموئيل (Samuel). Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Samuel?
We don’t carry an icon of the Prophet Samuel 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