On January 26, the Orthodox Church celebrates the day of Rev. Xenophon, Maria and their sons – a holiday of life and deliverance.
A name day is celebrated by all who bear the names Zhivko, Zhivka and Zoya. The name Zhivko has Slavic origin and means "vital". It is an expression of the parental desire for the child to be alive and healthy, writes btvnovinite.bg.
Rev. Xenophon and his wife Maria sent their sons John and Arkady to study in Beirut. On the way, a shipwreck separated the brothers. God consoled the parents with a miraculous vision that their children had not perished.
The happy meeting between the two monk brothers and their parents took place in Jerusalem. Maria entered a monastery and was awarded the gift of miracles.
John, Arkady and Xenophon became hermits in the desert. The family was canonized by the church as saints.
In addition to January, the name day of Zhivko, Zhivka and their derivatives is also celebrated on the first Friday after Easter. The day is called Zhivopriemni Friday, Zhivotvorni Friday or Bright Friday.