Today, Tuesday, December 17, according to the calendar, the memory of Daniel the Prophet and the Holy Three Children, Saint Dionysios, Archbishop of Aegina, the miracle-worker, Martyr Iachos of Triglinos is commemorated

The names celebrating today are as follows:

Daniela, Daniela, Danielitsa, Daniel,
Daniel, Daniel, Daniel,
Ananias, Ninos*,
Azarias,
Mishael,
Dionysios, Dionysis, Nionios, Nysis,
Denis, Dionysia, Dionysoula, Nysa,
Sissy, Denise, Denise*,
Iachus, Iachus.

Saint Dionysios the New, the Zakynthian Archbishop of Aegina

Saint Dionysios was born in 1547 AD. in the village of Aigialos, Zakynthos. His common name was Draganigos or Gradenigos Sigouros (or Sikouros). His family was wealthy and owned a large area of ​​land, while his parents participated in the Venetian wars against the Turks and acquired an aristocratic idiom. His father’s name was Mokios and his mother’s name was Paulina, while he had two other siblings, Konstantinos and Sigouras. According to local traditions of Zakynthos, which are not historically confirmed, Agios had Agios Gerasimos as his sponsor.

Saint Dionysios was brought up with the teachings of the Gospel. Thus he quickly distinguished himself in letters and virtue. Early, as soon as he came of age, he occupied himself with the teaching of the divine word, taking care at the same time to contribute to the relief of the poor. Then he became a monk in the royal Monastery of Strophades, taking the name Daniel, where he practiced vigilance, temperance and the study of the Scriptures.

Later Dionysios will be ordained a priest despite his initial reservations due to the heavy responsibility of the priesthood, by the bishop of Kefallinia and Zakynthos, Theophilos. Then, in 1577 AD, he went to Athens to find a ship to travel to Jerusalem. But the then high priest of Athens, Nikanoras, heard his brilliant sermon one Sunday and after many entreaties made him bishop of Aegina, with the official approval of the Church of Constantinople, giving him the name Dionysios.

He performed his pastoral duties vigilantly and tirelessly. He emerged as a teacher, father and educator of his flock. His fame had spread far and wide, but he remained simple and humble.

But he fell ill from the many labors and resigned. He returned to Zakynthos, where until 1579 AD he was temporary bishop. Then he retired to the Monastery of Theotokos of Anafonitria, where he practiced asceticism and lovingly preached and helped the inhabitants of the island.

Dionysios died in old age, December 17, 1622 AD. He was buried in the Strophadon Monastery and during the exhumation his remains came out fragrant and incorruptible.

His holiness was recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1703 AD, but on the island, due to his life, as well as his remains, he was venerated as a saint much earlier.

On August 24, 1717 AD moved his Septo Tent to Zakynthos to be protected from pirates. Initially it was kept in the Holy Church of Metochi of I. Monis, in the suburb of Kalliteros. In 1764 AD he was finally deposited in his eponymous Holy Monastery, built by the Monks of Strofades. Since then, his Septo Skenom is still today a pole of attraction for thousands of pilgrims and a source of continuous healings and miracles.

The proclamation of Saint Dionysios as Patron Saint of Zakynthos, instead of Our Lady of Skopiotissa and Saint John the Forerunner, was made by the Community of Zakynthos after the year 1758 AD. and before 1763 AD, when the Venetian Senate approved a decision by the Prophecy of Zakynthos, Francis Manolesos, to recognize as an official day the 17th of December every year. Until then, the anniversary of the Dormition of Saint Dionysios (December 17), established by the Synodal Report of 1703 AD, was celebrated unofficially, with the litany in the city of the holy Leipsanos and a festival. It was also decided to officially celebrate the 24th of August, the anniversary of the transfer of the Holy Relic from Strofadia to Zakynthos, with a festival and litany of the Patron Saint in the city.

*There are other dates this name celebrates.