[Xlkl9SFd]

Do Greek Orthodox Nuns acknowledge their birthday, or do they ignore it as some religions do (i.e. Jehovah Witness).

I realize a nun's birthday would not be cause for celebration within her Monastery, but would a simple "Happy Birthday" be acceptable?

Thank you in advance.

[n2Oddw8P]

Others may correct me on this, but my understanding is that, for a monastic (male or female, of whatever tradition), the feast of his or her patron saint, rather than their birthday, is the one to be celebrated or commemorated. By this I mean their patron saint at tonsure, not the patron at their baptism before they entered monastic life.

For instance: A youth by the name of Andrew (named after the Apostle) enters a monastery, and, in time, is tonsured a monk, with the name Artemius. Great-martyr Artemius is now the young monk's patron saint, so it would be proper to commemorate that saint's feast as his name day, not Apostle Andrew.

As for wishing a monastic a simple "Happy Birthday", a monastic of long-standing probably wouldn't mind too much, though, for a monk or nun of lesser time in monastic life, it might be a good idea to check with the abbot or abbess first. After all, monastic life is one of obedience.

[Kemapreedasse]

Regardless, a greeting of "God grant you many years" fits most every occasion.

[Misebeita]

While a monastic may not choose to celebrate their birthday, having left the things of the world behind, they will certainly not be offended by birthday greetings offered by someone else. Also, it is not necessarily a monastic practice to set aside birthdays - My own bishop, obviously a monastic, celebrates his birthday.

Fr David Moser