Yana is a name that is quite common in Russia. In fact, it is a Western Slavic adaptation of the Semitic name of John. The “Yana” form is not present in the church calendar, therefore the girls and women named so are baptized with the name “John” or “Anna”. In this article, we will talk about some saints in whose honor these women usually bear their names and celebrate name days.
May 3 Myrrh-bearing John
This woman is known for the gospel story. She was a disciple of Christ and after death came to his grave to anoint the body with the world. In memory of this, she was nicknamed the Myrrh Bearing. Named in her honor, Yana celebrates her name day on May 3.
February 3rd. Anna Roman Virgin
This holy woman came from a family of noble Christians who lived in Rome in the 3rd century. At that time, the Christian faith was banned, so the family was put on trial, where they were forced to renounce and return to the fold of paganism. For refusing to accept this offer, Saint Anna was beheaded. On the church calendar in memory of this martyr Yana is celebrated on February 3. But there is another date when her church veneration takes place. So, Yana can celebrate her birthday on July 5.
10 September. Anna the Prophet
This woman is also known for mentioning her name in scripture. In her youth she got married, but seven years later her husband passed away. Then she devoted herself completely to the service of God, spending days and nights near the Temple of Jerusalem in fasting and prayer. According to the Bible, when she was 84 years old, she met the mother of Jesus, who was carrying him in his arms to the temple, to conduct a ceremony of consecration of him to the Lord as the first-born. It is believed that she was a prophetess who prophesied of the coming Christ. The church memory of this woman takes place on September 10th. Baptized in her honor, Jan celebrates her name day on the same day.
April 8th. Martyr Anna Gotfskaya
This saint was burnt alive in the temple, in which she came to worship. It happened in 375 by order of the Gothic king Ungerich.
December 22nd. Anna the Prophetess, mother of the prophet Samuel
Another prophetess named Anna. However, this woman lived much earlier and went down in history mainly as the mother of the great prophet Samuel. According to legend, she was barren and for a long time asked God for a child. Once, near the tabernacle in Shiloh, she made a vow that if the Almighty gives her conception, she will devote the child to the service of God. Soon she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. This name means "begging from God." When the baby grew up, she took him to Shiloh to educate the priests of the temple. Over time, this young man became famous as one of the great prophets and judges of the people of Israel. Anna entered the priesthood as a prophetess. Her memory is committed on December 22. Each Yana named in her honor celebrates a birthday on the same day.