Fotis

Sound of name Fotis: Fò-tis Fotis is a common male Greek name, which derives from the name Fotios. Both Fotis and Fotios come from the Greek word “fos” which means light, thus, Fotis and Fotios are the enlightened ones. Origin of name Fotis – Theofania and Agios Fotios (St Fotios) Fotis has two name days because it is associated with two different Orthodox themes; on January 6th Greeks celebrate the “Theofania”, Jesus’ baptism in river Jordan by John the Baptist. It is one of the most important holidays for the Greek Orthodox Church, the last of the three important holidays of the 12 days of Christmas holidays and it’s also known as Epifania or Fota – which explains why men named Fotis or Fotios celebrate their name day on that day. However, in the Greek Orthodox Calendar, the name Fotis and Fotios is associated with one of the most significant personalities of the Orthodox Church, the Patriarch Fotios, also known as Agios Fotios (St Fotios). Fotios was the Patriarch of Constantinople from 857 to 867 AD and is considered among the most important religious persons for the Greek Church. He was a very active but also controversial personality for the Greek Church and he was sent to exile several times by different Byzantine Emperors. In 886 Fotios was sent to exile for the last time and it is estimated that he died on the 6th of February 893. The Greek Orthodox Church has declared him a saint and celebrates his memory on February the 6th.