This is a feast dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is observed every year on the Friday after Easter (Bright Friday). It belongs to the so-called movable feasts of the ecclesiastical calendar and is celebrated five days after Easter.

Why the feast is important

The Virgin Mary is also known as the “Life-Giving Spring” – “Zoodochos Pigi.” It originated from the revelation of a sacred spring in Balıklı, which, according to tradition, was revealed by the Theotokos to a soldier named Leo I, who later became Byzantine Emperor (457–474).

Leo I later built the historic Church of the Life-Giving Spring at that location. Over the centuries, numerous miraculous healings were said to have taken place there, making it one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Greek Orthodoxy.

The feast is essentially dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who, although a human being like all others, conceived Christ through divine grace and, through her obedience to God’s will, contributed to the Incarnation. She gave birth to Jesus Christ, the source of life and resurrection for humanity.

Who celebrates today

The following names celebrate their name day today:

• Zoe, Zois, Zisis, Zisimos
• Zisoula, Zoitsa, Zozo
• Pigi (Peggy), Krini, Krinio
• Niki

Other saints commemorated today

According to the Orthodox calendar, April 17 also honors:

• Mark the Evangelist
• Macedonius II of Constantinople
• Saint Nike

Who else celebrates

People with the following names also celebrate:

• Zoi, Zisis, Zisimos, Zoipigi
• Theopigi
• Polyzoi, Polyzoe
• Chrysopigi, Pigi, Krini, Krinio
• Panagiotis, Panagiota
• Markos, Markia
• Niki