Orthodoxy & 'name days'

A little Russian Orthodox:
"The religiosity of all Russians at the beginning of the eighteenth
century and of people in all undeveloped areas until the beginning of the
twentieth century featured the following elements: a poor understanding of
the fundamentals of Christian belief; a substitution of a strict
observance of rites and rituals for faith; the pervasiveness of
superstition and prejudice (veneration of icons. pilgrimages to holy
shrines, fasting, and so on); a lack of proper reverence at church during
the service and the administration of sacraments; and a pragmatic form of
piety (an expectation of practical results from the observance of rites,
such as a plentiful harvest, health, and success)."

source: A Social History of Imperial Russia, 1700-1917

In the Russian Orthodox Church, the second Sunday after the Feast of
Pentecost is traditionally the day when all the saints of the Russian
land are commemorated. In a way, this service (and others that follow the
same pattern) are an extension of the service of the first Sunday after
Pentecost, which is kept as the Feast of All Saints (not to be confused
with "All Saint's Day" in the western Churches, which is celebrated on
November 1st).
Russians celebrated the feast-day of their patron saint with festivities
resembling a birthday party. The person who celebrates Saint's Day invites
relatives and friends for dinner, singing and dancing.


The character Irina is named for Saint Irene, martyr of Thessalonica,
burnt at the stake under Diocletian. St. Irene's day is celebrated on the
5th of May. [p. 284]

- Lindsay