← News feed Church of Greece

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.

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (12) 🌐 Translate comments

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

Μου άρεσε που ο Γέροντας Νεκτάριος συνδέει την ευχή «και του χρόνου» με την Πεντηκοστή και το Άγιο Πνεύμα. Πραγματικά, πόσες φορές το λέμε χωρίς να σκεφτούμε ότι ο σκοπός είναι να αλλάξουμε εμείς οι ίδιοι, όχι απλά να περάσει άλλη μια χρονιά. Θα το ακούσω πριν τη γιορτή, γιατί και εγώ το έχω πει μηχανικά σε γενέθλια και βαφτίσια.

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

Μου άρεσε που ο Γέροντας Νεκτάριος λέει ότι «και του χρόνου» δεν είναι απλά ευχή για να περάσει άλλη μια χρονιά, αλλά να μας αλλάξει το Άγιο Πνεύμα. Πόσες φορές το έχω πει σε γιορτές χωρίς να το σκεφτώ. Θα το βάλω να το ακούσω πριν την Πεντηκοστή, να μην μου φύγει πάλι.

Κατερίνα Λαμπροπούλου

Μου άρεσε που ο Γέροντας Νεκτάριος συνδέει το «και του χρόνου» με την Πεντηκοστή και το Άγιο Πνεύμα. Πόσες φορές το έχω πει σε γενέθλια εγγονιών χωρίς να σκεφτώ ότι ζητάμε πραγματική αλλαγή, όχι απλά να περάσει η χρονιά. Θα το βάλω να το ακούσω αυτές τις μέρες πριν τη γιορτή, για να μην μου φύγει πάλι.

Alžbeta Nováková

Mne sa páčilo, ako gerontas Nektarios spája „a do roka“ s tým, že nás má zmeniť Svätý Duch, nie len prežiť ďalší rok. Koľkokrát som to povedala na meninách chlapcov alebo pri pečení koláča na sviatok a vôbec som nad tým nerozmýšľala. Určite si to pustím ešte pred Päťdesiatnicou, kým mi to zase nevyjde z hlavy.

Ana Lungu

Și eu am spus ani de zile „Și la anul” la onomastice fără să mă gândesc că de fapt cerem să ne schimbe Duhul Sfânt, nu doar să treacă încă o primăvară. Mi-a plăcut cum leagă Gheron Nektarios asta de Penticosta – o să-l ascult mâine seară după ce termin cu florile din grădină. Mulțumesc că ați pus linkul.

Gheorghe Radu

Da, Ana, și eu am zis ani de zile „și la anul” fără să mă gândesc că de fapt cerem harul Sfântului Duh să ne schimbe cu adevărat. Legătura cu Rusalii pe care o face Gheron Nektarios m-a pus pe gânduri, mai ales că săptămâna asta am citit iar despre pogorârea Duhului. Ai terminat cu florile din grădină până la urmă?

Nicolae Gheorghiu

Da, Ana, și eu am auzit predica asta acum două seri și mi-a rămas în cap cum zice Gheron Nektarios că „și la anul” nu e doar o formulă, ci o cerere ca Duhul Sfânt să ne schimbe cu adevărat. Mie mi-a plăcut mai ales partea cu rostul vieții, că nu e doar să treacă primăverile una după alta. Ai apucat să-l asculți până la capăt după ce ai terminat cu florile?

Pavol Novák

Máš pravdu, Alžbeta, aj mne to udrelo do očí, keď gerontas Nektarios hovoril, že „a do roka“ má byť o zmene cez Svätého Ducha, nie len o prežití. Ja to hovorím automaticky pri pečení koláča na meniny nášho chlapca a väčšinou mi to ani nedôjde. Pred Päťdesiatnicou si to pustím znova, lebo inak mi to naozaj vyletí z hlavy.