St. Apollinaris, July 20
By tradition a disciple of St. Peter, Apollinaris was the first bishop of Ravenna and endured persecution for his faith. The basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, with its famous mosaics, was built over his tomb in the sixth century. He is the patron of Ravenna.
On the General Roman Calendar, July 20 is an optional memorial: Saint Apollinaris, bishop and martyr.
Other saints on July 20
- St. Elijah, prophet
- St. Margaret of Antioch, virgin and martyr
Name days on July 20
In countries that keep name days, July 20 is the day for people named Elijah and Margaret. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Elijah | July 20 |
| Margaret | November 16 |
July 20 on the calendar
July 20 is the 201st day of the year (the 202nd in a leap year), with 164 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | Thursday |
| 2029 | Friday |
| 2030 | Saturday |
Keeping July 20
July 20 falls in summer. As an optional memorial, each parish or priest may choose whether to celebrate it. 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 Elijah and Margaret, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around July 20
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| July 17 | Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne |
| July 18 | St. Camillus de Lellis |
| July 19 | St. Macrina the Younger |
| July 21 | St. Lawrence of Brindisi |
| July 22 | St. Mary Magdalene |
| July 23 | St. Bridget of Sweden |
The day before, July 19, is the day of St. Macrina the Younger. The day after, July 21, belongs to St. Lawrence of Brindisi. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.