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Elder Nektarios Moulatsiotis: Do you know why we say "Happy Birthday" and "Next year"?translated

July 12, 2026 · 1 min read

Do you know why we say "Happy Birthday" and "next year"? Most of us say it at every celebration, at every birthday and at every important moment in our lives. But do we really know what this wish means? Why do we wish "Happy Birthday" and why do we say "And next year"? In this speech the deeper meaning of these words is revealed, but also the real purpose of human life through the message of Pentecost and the Orthodox faith. You will hear: What the wish "Happy Birthday" really means. Why do we say "And next year". What is the real purpose of life. What does it mean for a person to really change? Because Pentecost concerns us all. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual life. Because the Church celebrates the same great events every year.

This speech is not only addressed to people who go to church. It is addressed to every person who is looking for meaning, hope and a deeper answer about life.

The post Elder Nektarios Moulatsiotis: Do you know why we say "Happy Birthday" and "And next year"? appeared first on Orthodoxy News Agency.

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Mark Parker

That talk on “Χρόνια Πολλά” and “Και του χρόνου” got me thinking. I’ve said those words at every name day and birthday without really knowing the deeper point Elder Nektarios makes about the Holy Spirit changing us. Makes me want to listen again before Pentecost comes around.

Ηλίας Καραγιάννης

I liked that Elder Nektarios connects the wish "and time" with Pentecost and the Holy Spirit. Really, how many times do we say it without thinking that the purpose is to change ourselves, not just for another year to pass. I will listen to it before the celebration, because I have also said it mechanically at birthdays and christenings.

Irene Wilson

I say the same thing every year at name days and never stopped to think about it either. Elder Nektarios is right that the real change comes from the Holy Spirit, not just marking another calendar year. Have you picked a time to listen to the talk again before Pentecost?

Michael Moore

Yeah, that part about the Holy Spirit actually changing us hit me too. I’ve been saying “Χρόνια Πολλά” at name days for decades without connecting it to Pentecost like Elder Nektarios does. You planning to listen with your wife this time?

Anthony Brown

That line about the Holy Spirit actually changing us stuck with me too. I’ve said “Χρόνια Πολλά” at every name day without linking it to Pentecost, but Elder Nektarios made it click that we’re asking for real transformation, not just another year on the calendar. You going to listen to it while you’re working in the garden like I do?

Branislav Stanković

I liked that Γέροντας Νεκτάριος says that «and his time» is not just a wish for another year to pass, but for us to change Αγιο Πνεύμα. Πόσες φόρες το Εχείο πει σε γιορτές without thinking about it. I'm going to listen to it before Pentecost, so I won't leave again.

Κατερίνα Λαμπροπούλου

I liked that Elder Nektarios connects the "and time" with Pentecost and the Holy Spirit. How many times have I said this at grandchildren's birthdays without thinking that we are asking for real change, not just for the year to pass. I'm going to listen to it these days before the holiday, so that I don't miss it again.

Alžbeta Nováková

I liked how gerontas Nektarios connects "and within a year" to the fact that we are to be changed by the Holy Spirit, not just to survive another year. How many times have I said it at the boys' name-day parties or while baking a cake for the holiday and didn't think about it at all. I'll definitely play it before Pentecost, before I get out of my head again.

Ana Lungu

I, too, have said "And next year" at name days for years without thinking that we are actually asking the Holy Spirit to change us, not just for another spring to pass. I loved how Gheron Nektarios tied this to Pentecost – I'll listen to it tomorrow night after I finish the flowers in the garden. Thanks for posting the link.

Gheorghe Radu

Yes, Ana, I too said "next year" for years without thinking that we were actually asking for the grace of the Holy Spirit to really change us. The connection with Pentecost that Gheron Nektarios makes made me think, especially since this week I read again about the descent of the Spirit. Are you done with the flowers in the garden at last?

Nicolae Gheorghiu

Yes, Ana, I also heard this sermon two evenings ago and it stuck in my head as Gheron Nektarios says that "and next year" is not just a formula, but a request for the Holy Spirit to really change us. I especially liked the part about the meaning of life, that it is not just to pass the springs one after another. Did you get to listen to it all the way through after you were done with the flowers?

Pavol Novák

You are right, Elizabeth, it also struck me when gerontas Nektarios said that "and within a year" should be about change through the Holy Spirit, not just about survival. I say it automatically when baking a cake for our boy's name day, and most of the time I don't even get it. I'll play it again before the 50th, because otherwise it will really fly out of my head.