How many beautiful female names exist in the world! And each means something, carries its own semantic load. Each name has a special energy force that helps or hinders a person throughout his life.

Angel Day: Elena - “sunny” name

When a girl is born, parents carefully choose her name with special care. After all, it should be harmonious, and combined with patronymic. No wonder they say that a person’s name affects his character traits and even fate. There is the science of onomastics, which studies the origin and meaning of names. One of the brightest, "luminous" names is the name Elena.

What's in a name…

In ancient Greek mythology, Elena is the daughter of the Sun, therefore, the name means “solar”, “bright”, “shining” in translation. In some cases, there is a translation of “torch”, “fire”. It is these meanings of words that determine the main character traits of our heroine. In Russian fairy tales, this name is endowed with special qualities, remember: Beautiful, Wise. In our country, Elena sees Angel Day as a special event.

Tell me your name ...

By nature, Elena is a cheerful, active, very cheerful, tireless dreamer with a rich inner world. She is able to charge others with her energy, sees positive aspects in everything. By nature, she is modest, quite restrained, capable of special self-sacrifice for the sake of others, always ready to help, very attentive and caring. As a rule, a woman with that name is a creative person, prefers music, painting, and literary creation. She gets along well with people, tries to avoid various conflicts. Elena is a caring mother, a loving wife. However, she does not always find understanding among relatives and friends - they consider her overly sensitive and demanding.

Negative qualities include vulnerability and excessive curiosity, laziness, cunning, in some cases, resourcefulness, and sometimes prudence and passion.

Nevertheless, there are many more positive qualities, which makes the owner of a beautiful name an interesting, spiritually rich person.

And a white angel behind his shoulder ...

You can celebrate your name day, that is, birthday, once, but Elena celebrates the day of the angel repeatedly.

Parents, choosing the name of their daughter, rely on the church calendar, which lists the days of remembrance of the saints. In the church Orthodox calendar, Elena is given a worthy place. Her day can be celebrated several times a year. This is due to the various patrons who bore this beautiful name. According to the church calendar, Elena can celebrate Angel's Day at various times of the year - in the summer, in autumn and winter.

Holy Patrons of the Name

Angel Day Elena (date appointed June 3) can be celebrated in the summer. This date is associated with Queen Empress of Constantinople. She preached the Christian faith all her life, organized excavations in Jerusalem. Thanks to her activities, church artifacts were found.

Angel Day Elena (date - November 12) can also be dedicated to the Queen of Serbia. She always reconciled enemies, helped the poor and orphans, financially supported the church. After the death of the husband of the ruler, the welfare of the family became her concern. This woman is an example of courage, endurance and patience.

Elena Day can celebrate Angel Day on August 10. Martyr Elena Diveevskaya (Manturova) led a respectable life, preached the Christian faith, for which she was shot by the Bolsheviks.

It should be noted that all the owners of the name Elena, who are mentioned in the Christian church, were role models, were a symbol of high morality, honor and desire for all that is beautiful.

It is noteworthy that a girl with this name can independently choose her patroness, based on personal sympathy or on a date close to her birthday or baptism.

How to celebrate angel day

Angel Day Elena usually tries not to celebrate magnificently. She prefers quiet solitude, prayer and thanks to her holy patron. It will not be superfluous to go to church to take communion, to light candles.

And in the evening you can celebrate this day with friends and relatives, having prepared a variety of treats, and once again prove that Elena is a hospitable, welcoming hostess, an excellent conversationalist and just a "bright" person. The owner of the name loves to receive gifts, but even more - to give. Therefore, having fallen on the day of the angel to Elena, you can get not only a lot of positive emotions, but also a small souvenir as a keepsake.

Holy Empress Helen is ranked among the Equal-to-the-Apostles for her invaluable services in discovering the holy places in Jerusalem associated with the last days of the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Only five women are canonized as equally equal, among them is the holy Queen Elena. She was the mother of St. Constantine the Great. Thanks to her and her son, Christianity has become one of the main religions in the world. They resort to her with a request for help in healing. When Tsarina Elena is portrayed with her son, Tsar Konstantin, politicians, businessmen, leaders at various levels, as well as those who experience material difficulties, turn to them in prayer.

Memorial Day of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Empress Helena is celebrated twice a year: March 6/19 (remembrance of the acquisition of the Life-Giving Cross by Elena) and May 21 / June 3.

Elena Diveevskaya (Manturova), reverend
   Memorial Day was established by the Orthodox Church on May 28 / June 10.

Saint Elena Diveevskaya was born in 1805. Together with her brother, she lived in their family estate, which was located in the village of Nucha, Nizhny Novgorod province. She was a cheerful girl, loved social affairs and dreamed of marriage.

Her brother, Mikhail Vasilievich, was much older than her sister. Once he got sick. The desire to recover led him to the Monk Seraphim of Sarov. From the old man the man came out healthy and full of strength. Meanwhile, Elena Vasilievna, traveling, she remained without servants in the carriage. Suddenly she saw a terrible snake above herself. Frightened, she prayed and promised the Virgin to go to the monastery for her salvation. The monster disappeared at that moment. Saint Helena decided to fulfill her vow. Seventeen-year-old girl turned to Saint Seraphim of Sarov for advice. But on the first day and all subsequent ones, when she came to him again, he answered her that she would marry, she did not need to go to the monastery. In fact, the elder tested her. Elena Vasilievna changed a lot during this time, she became serious and thoughtful. Three years passed, finally, St. Seraphim told her that soon she would become a bride, as he had promised, but the bride of the Lord.

Saint Helena became a novice at the age of 20 and lived for seven years in the Kazan community. Rev. Seraphim appointed her clergy and sacristy. She worked and prayed a lot in the monastery. She always helped people, but she did it secretly. Helena Vasilievna’s brother sold the estate, bought the land on which they began to build the church, but fell ill again. Father Seraphim told Saint Helena Diveevskaya about this: "He needs to die, but he is needed for the monastery, accept obedience, die for him." And so it happened. Before her death, the saint spoke of a beautiful vision. The Mother of God showed her the abode of Heavenly Diveev, which was an extraordinary beauty.

Elena, martyr, daughter of the Ap. Alphea
   Memorial Day was established by the Orthodox Church on May 26 / June 8.

The holy martyr Elena, daughter of the Apostle Alpheus, who, along with her brother Averky, perished for her confession of faith in Christ.

Named icons, as a rule, depict the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Empress of Constantinople.

Elena is equally apostolic - see
Olga (baptized Elena) is an equal apostle, led. Princess of Russia
   Memorial Day was established by the Orthodox Church on July 11/24.

The first Russian saint. Princess Olga became the first ruler of Kievan Rus to be baptized, and thus predetermined the adoption of Christianity by all the Old Russian people. She began to be revered as a saint during the reign of her grandson Vladimir - the Baptist of Russia. Revered as the patroness of widows and converts Christians.

According to the chronicles, the future Grand Duchess Olga was from Pskov, she belonged to the family of the Izborsk princes - one of the Old Russian princely dynasties. This genus had both Russian and Varangian roots. Helga, in the Russian pronunciation Olga, became the wife of the Grand Duke of Kiev Igor, son of Rurik. Igor is the first Russian prince, known from synchronous Byzantine and West European sources. He was killed by the Drevlyans (one of the Slavic tribes), from whom he collected tribute.

After the death of her husband, Princess Olga was forced to take control of a huge, still forming state. In her reign, she showed herself to be a person with an unbending will and high dignity, unshakable courage and a truly state mind. She was honored to make a choice, which determined the subsequent fate of Russia, and the princess herself identified church veneration as equally apostolic.

Icons of the same name:

Elena Serbian, Queen, reverend

Memorial Day was established by the Orthodox Church on October 30 / November 12.

She was the queen, perhaps one of the kindest queens in the history of mankind. Her generosity knew no bounds. She helped the poor and widows. For orphans, she opened a school where they lived and studied. The Queen supported and built temples and churches, including the beautiful Gradac Monastery on the banks of the Brvenik River. She was a pious ruler and a wonderful mother. Elena - Princess of Anjou, was born in France. Becoming the wife of Serbian King Uros the First, she gave birth to two sons and gave them a wonderful upbringing. The subjects loved not only herself, but also her children, who were later recognized as saints.

Elena Serbskaya died in 1314, before her death she accepted monasticism. They buried her in the monastery of Gradac. After that, three years passed. The monk saw the queen in a dream, where she ordered to raise her relics from the earth, which was done. The relics were incorrupt.

March 19 and June 3 commemorates   Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Empress Helena (circa 250-330), Mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Helen raised her son in Christianity and contributed greatly to the fact that subsequently Constantine made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. Tsarina Elena did much to spread Christianity in other countries. At the age of about 80, she made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where she excavated the places of execution and burial of Jesus Christ. Among the shrines found were four nails and the Life-giving Cross, on which the Lord was crucified. In memory of the events of the earthly life of Christ, Elena founded several temples in the Holy Land, of which the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the most famous throughout the world. On the way back to her homeland, she founded a number of monasteries, for example, the Stavrovuni monastery in Cyprus. For great services to the church, Elena was canonized in the face of an equal apostle (besides her, only five more women were awarded such honor - Mary Magdalene, First Martyr Theokla, Martyr Apfia, Princess Olga and enlightener of Georgia Nina).

An interesting story is related to the movement of the relics of the holy Queen Helena from Rome to France. According to Nikolai Nikishin, a clergyman of the Three Saints Metochion of the Moscow Patriarchate in Paris, today the relics are in one of the Catholic churches on the main street of Paris, dotted with entertainment venues of low grade. Initially, the relics were stored in the church of the Holy Martyrs Markellin and Peter in Rome. But in the 9th century, a French monk who received healing from the relics secretly took them to his abbey.

When the Pope found out about the fate of the stolen relics, he did not demand their return, and they remained in France. During the revolution, persecution began against the Church, and shortly before the destruction of the monastery, the relics were transferred to a church located in a neighboring village. And in 1820, the relics were found among the knights of the Royal Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher, who considered Queen Helen to be her founder (since she laid the foundation of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem). So the relics were in the church of Saint-Le-Saint-Gilles in Paris, where they are still stored in the sarcophagus, suspended high under the arches. In history, there are many testimonies of miraculous healings of people who turned their prayers to the Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Helen. However, today few pilgrims come to the relics - for many Orthodox Christians the whereabouts of the relics remains a mystery.

Princess Olga (884-969) - the first Russian saint - received the name Elena in baptism (in honor of Queen Elena). Olga, just like Queen Elena, contributed a lot to Christianity coming to her land. After the death of her husband, Prince Igor, Olga herself ruled Kievan Rus, rejecting proposals for re-marriage. The burden of public administration and improvement, she took upon herself for the time when the heir to the throne, Prince Svyatoslav, grows up. However, even after Svyatoslav officially began to reign, Olga managed all affairs, because her son spent a lot of time in military campaigns. Princess Olga turned out to be a strong and wise ruler, was able to strengthen the defense power of the country, introduced a unified tax system. The baptism of Olga in Constantinople predetermined the adoption of Christianity by all the Old Russian people (the Baptism of Rus happened already with her grandson Vladimir, whom Olga raised in the Christian faith). Memorial Day of Princess Olga (St. Helena) - July 24.

Another Saint Helena - blessed Elena Serbian   (date of death - February 8, 1314), wife of King Stephen Uros I Nemanich. She raised two sons, future kings of Serbia - the holy noblemen Milutin and Dragutin. Elena became famous for her patronage of the poor and orphans. In her yard in Brnyatsi, she founded a school for orphans, where she taught them faith, literacy and needlework. When they grew up, she provided a rich dowry and betrayed marriage. Elena built houses for impoverished villagers, set up cloisters for those who wanted to live clean and virgin, made generous donations to churches and monasteries. Before the death she accepted a monasticism with the name of Elizabeth. She was buried in her monastery, the Gradac monastery in Serbia. Three years after the burial, when it was discovered that the queen’s body remained incorrupt, the Serbian Orthodox Church ranked Helen as a saint. Until the beginning of the XVII century, the relics of St. Helena of Serbia were stored in the Gradak church, and today they are in Montenegro, near the city of Herceg Novi, in a monastery founded by St. Savva of Serbia. The memory of Elena Serbska is celebrated on November 12, the day when her holy relics were found incorrupt.

Few can leave history indifferent Rev. Helena Diveevskaya. Elena Vasilievna Manturova (1805-1832) was born into a noble family. At 17, she vowed to go to the monastery, and after three years of testing and preparation for monasticism, father Serafim Sarovsky blessed her to enter the Diveevo Kazan community. In addition to general obedience, Elena always carried out the most difficult tasks of the priest - not only because she received a good education and, unlike many sisters, she knew letters.

She also knew how to “reason with her heart,” to distinguish between good and evil, and to do what God pleased. When the Mill Monastery was founded in the monastery, the father appointed Elena Vasilyevna as the head of it. The last, most difficult obedience, Elena received when her brother fell seriously ill - Mikhail Vasilyevich Manturov, benefactor of the Diveevo community and beloved student of St. Seraphim. “He needs to die, mother,” said Father Seraphim. “And I still need him for our monastery, for orphans.” So obedience to you: you die for Mikhail Vasilyevich! ” “Bless, Father,” Elena Vasilyevna humbly replied.

Returning home, she went to bed and died a few days later. Memorial Day of the Rev. Nun Elena is celebrated on June 10.

Christian history remembers yet another Helen - but not as an ascetic who knows how to light a spiritual fire in hearts, but, on the contrary, as a violator of one thousand-year tradition. As you know, a woman’s foot never sets foot on Athos. However, history knows one exception, and her name is Elena. In 1347, the king of Serbia Stefan Uros IV Dushan and Queen Empress Elena spent several months on Mount Athos, fleeing the plague.

In Russia, parents often call their daughters Helen. In the first third of the 20th century, this name was kept in the ten most common in Moscow. In the 50-80s, it firmly held the first place in popularity. Today, the name Elena has lost its former position - in the 2000s, it does not even fall into the top ten most common female names.

The Greek origin, the name Elena, is translated as "bright, radiant, chosen." But this is just one version. According to another, the name comes from the word "Hellenes", that is, "Greeks", and in this case the meaning is "Greek."

Church Nameday Helena

The Orthodox calendar reminds that women with the name Elena can celebrate their angel day on the following days:

• 28 January;
• March 19;
• June 3;
• June 8;
• June 10th;
• July 24;
• August 10;
• September 17;
• November 12th.

Character named Elena

Women who are fortunate enough to receive this beautiful name at birth are optimistic and cheerful. They are emotional, like to fantasize.

Such qualities attract Elena to those areas of activity where you need to communicate a lot. Accordingly, it is in this field that a woman is able to succeed. She is non-conflict, gets along well with people. As a connoisseur of aesthetics, most often she is carried away by those specialties that in one way or another are in contact with the sphere of beauty. This may be the profession of a fashion model or artist.

As a child, Elena is not particularly persevering in relation to study, managing, however, to learn all that is necessary. The girl is curious, easily carried away by various new types of activities, for example, related to needlework. He is interested in sports and is often on the move.

Elena’s natural credulity, receptivity and gullibility are combined in her with the ability to stand up for herself in case of deception or inadmissible treatment to her. A woman is characterized by caring and attentive attitude to loved ones. One of her virtues is kindness, which is not always actively manifested. The feeling of pity prompts Elena to some actions. Sometimes her sacrifice is clearly manifested in marriage, when the chosen one becomes more important for her than work or hobbies. Despite the fact that she is a good housewife, taking care of beauty and comfort at home, it cannot be said about her that domestic life limits her range of interests. Sometimes she is a little lazy and put things off for later.

Immersion in your own inner world is an integral part of Elena's daily life. She needs love and affection, as a flower requires sunlight. As a woman, Elena is very attractive and able to subdue a man with her charm.

Elena's complaisant character, her ability to communicate make her a good companion and life partner, whose disadvantages, however, must also be reckoned with.

According to Orthodox traditions, name-days are celebrated on the near date of veneration of the martyrs and saints of the same name, following the person’s birthday. According to the church calendar, the name of Allen corresponds to the date of the celebration of St. Helena.

The origin of the names Alena, Elena

There are three versions of origin:

1. It became a folk version of the church name Elena. That was the name of the girls in the common people. The name became detached only in the 20th century.
2. In Russia, the version of the European male name Alan was so manifested.
3. The origin of this name is rooted in ancient Greece. That was the name of the ancient Greek god of the sun and the light of Helios.

In modern times Alena is pronounced and written through the sound “ё”, although pronunciation through “e” is considered to be the right option.

The meaning of the name Alain, character

According to onomastics (the science of names), the names assigned to things and people leave an imprint on them. The meaning of the name Allen from Greek is solar, light, literally - a torch.

Description of the name Alain

• Positive character traits are charm, suppleness, wit, curiosity, ability to defend one’s opinion, ability to sympathy and compassion.
• Negative - cunning, flirty, excessive practicality and prudence.

When naming children by any name, parents to some extent predetermine the character of an adult. Alens and Helens are usually called babies in believing families who want to pay tribute to the great saints.

Women named Alena are good-natured, responsible to others and a sense of duty. Such people are gentle, easily find compromises, but do not allow themselves to be neglected.

Dates of the name day of Alena according to the church calendar

The dates in the list are in the new style:

• 28 January   - martyr Elena;
• June 3rd   - Queen Elena of Constantinople;
• June 8   - daughter up. Alphea, martyr Elena;
• June 10th   - Elena Diveevskaya;
• July 24   - Princess Olga (baptized by Elena);
• November 12th   - Queen of Serbia, reverend.

Angel Day Elena is not necessary to celebrate once a year. There are days of large and small days of an angel. Alena celebrates big name day on the date closest to her birth, small - on all other days of veneration of martyrs and saints in the year.

Congratulations on Alena's name day

The name has become isolated. Despite this, in the congratulation it is recommended to use the church form of the name - Elena.

Among the female names, Alena became the sunniest. Alena is recommended to live her life according to church canons, not to forget about the great women in whose honor they are named.