St. Porphyry of Gaza, February 26
Born in Thessalonica, Porphyry lived as a monk in Egypt and Palestine before becoming bishop of Gaza in 395, when the city was still largely pagan. He obtained an imperial order to close its temples and built a church in their place. He died in 420.
February 26 has no celebration on the General Roman Calendar, so this page follows the Roman Martyrology, which remembers Saint Porphyry, bishop of Gaza on this date.
Other saints on February 26
- St. Nestor, bishop and martyr (251)
Name days on February 26
In countries that keep name days, February 26 is the day for people named Porphyry and Nestor. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Porphyry | February 26 |
| Nestor | February 26 |
February 26 on the calendar
February 26 is the 57th day of the year, with 308 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | Saturday |
| 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | Tuesday |
Keeping February 26
February 26 falls in winter. Since the general calendar has no celebration that day, the Mass is usually that of the weekday of the season, and the saint may be remembered in local calendars or in personal prayer. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Porphyry and Nestor, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around February 26
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| February 23 | St. Polycarp |
| February 24 | St. Ethelbert of Kent |
| February 25 | St. Walburga |
| February 27 | St. Gregory of Narek |
| February 28 | Sts. Romanus and Lupicinus |
| February 29 | St. Oswald of Worcester |
The day before, February 25, is the day of St. Walburga. The day after, February 27, belongs to St. Gregory of Narek. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.