On August 15, Christians celebrate the Dormition of the Mother of God, when, according to the tradition of the Church, the Mother of God was taken up to Heaven.
Many wonder if on this day, commemorating the passing of Mary, it is appropriate to wish „Happy Name Day” to those who bear her name or its derivatives.
The issue was clarified by Digi24 with insights from Father Gabriel Cazacu from the Cașin Monastery in Bucharest:
"We say Happy Name Day to all those we love on every occasion, including on August 15. Even though people, when they hear the name of the celebration, the Dormition of the Mother of God, may think it is a sad event, in essence, the celebration is marked with wisdom, love, and charity for all of us worldwide.
It is the day when Her soul and body are taken by Jesus, the Son, and lifted to Heaven, and for us, this event is a joy, a glory. The Mother of God fulfills her mission for all humankind on this earth.
My urge is to celebrate the Dormition of the Mother of God through love, kindness, forgiveness, and prayer. Let us cherish our loved ones, our mothers, and grandmothers, as they understand their role in the family and do everything in their power for our well-being. Let us show our gratitude to our loved ones every day."
Over 2.6 million Romanians celebrate their name day on Saint Mary's Day, with women being the most numerous.
Almost 2 million women bear the name Maria or its derivatives. 1,486,913 are named Maria.