St Joseph of Arimathea

St. Joseph of Arimathea Feast Day and Greek Name Day

St. Joseph of Arimathea is honored in the Orthodox Christian Church as the righteous man who provided the tomb in which Jesus Christ was buried after the Crucifixion. His feast day is celebrated on July 31, and on this day people named Joseph, Iosif, Iosef, Joe, Joey, and Josef, among other variations, celebrate their Greek name day.

Who Was St. Joseph of Arimathea

St. Joseph of Arimathea was a respected member of the Jewish council, known as the Sanhedrin, during the time of Jesus Christ.

Although he held an important position, the Gospels describe him as a secret follower of Christ who believed in Jesus and supported His mission.

The Burial of Jesus Christ

After the Crucifixion of Jesus, Joseph courageously approached the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and requested permission to take Christ’s body.

He then placed the body of Jesus in a new tomb that he had prepared, fulfilling important prophecies about the burial of the Messiah.

Because of this act of devotion and courage, Joseph of Arimathea is remembered as one of the righteous figures who honored Christ after His death.

Honored in Christian Tradition

St. Joseph of Arimathea is commemorated in the Orthodox Church alongside other figures who played a role in the burial of Christ.

His actions are remembered as a powerful example of faith and respect for Christ during one of the most significant moments in Christian history.

Greek Name Day for Joseph

Because St. Joseph of Arimathea is commemorated on July 31, this date is also the Greek name day for:

Joseph

Iosif

Iosef

Joe

Joey

Josef

In Greek culture, celebrating a name day is often just as important as celebrating a birthday. Friends and family commonly offer well wishes or visits to honor the person whose name is being celebrated.

When St. Joseph of Arimathea Is Celebrated

The feast day of St. Joseph of Arimathea is observed each year on July 31 in the Greek Orthodox Church. He is remembered for his courage, his devotion to Christ, and for providing the tomb in which Jesus was laid after the Crucifixion.