Greek Orthodox Church marks saints on July 2 and July 4

On 2 July the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates two historic feasts: the Transfer of the Holy Girdle of the Theotokos to the Blachernae church in Constantinople, an event linked to the 5th‑century protection of the city, and the memory of Saint Ioubenalis, Patriarch of Jerusalem, noted for strengthening orthodoxy in the early 5th century.

Four days later, on 4 July, the church commemorates several early Christian martyrs—Donatus, Theophilus, Theodotus, Theodoros, Cyprillius, Aroas, Lucia and Apollo—and Saint Andrew of Jerusalem, Archbishop of Crete, renowned as a hymnographer and ecclesiastical leader in the 8th‑9th centuries. The same day is also observed as Global Festival Day, highlighting the cultural value of festivals worldwide.