St. Anthony the Abbot, January 17
Around 270, Anthony gave away his inheritance and went into the Egyptian desert to live in prayer, fighting famous temptations. Disciples gathered around him, and St. Athanasius wrote his life, which spread monasticism across the Roman world. He died in 356 at 105.
On the General Roman Calendar, January 17 is a memorial: Saint Anthony of Egypt, abbot.
Name days on January 17
In countries that keep name days, January 17 is the day for people named Anthony.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Anthony | June 13 |
January 17 on the calendar
January 17 is the 17th day of the year, with 348 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | Monday |
| 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | Thursday |
Keeping January 17
January 17 falls in winter. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. 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 Anthony, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around January 17
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| January 14 | St. Felix of Nola |
| January 15 | St. Paul the First Hermit |
| January 16 | St. Marcellus I |
| January 18 | St. Margaret of Hungary |
| January 19 | St. Wulfstan |
| January 20 | Sts. Fabian and Sebastian |
The day before, January 16, is the day of St. Marcellus I. The day after, January 18, belongs to St. Margaret of Hungary. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.