Bákkhos

This name derives from the Latin “bacca > Bacchus,” meaning “pearl, beard, olive-berry, berry, wine, grapevine.” In turn, derives from the Ancient Greek Bákkhos (Βᾰ́κχος), probably from “iácho (ἰάχω),” meaning “scream, blustered.” Bacchus, son of Jupiter, was the Roman god of agriculture and wine, similar to the Greek Dionysus. He was the last god to join the twelve Olympians; Hestia gave up her seat for him. His plants were vines and twirling ivy. He often carried a pinecone-topped staff, and his followers were goat-footed Satyrs and Maenads, wild women who danced energetically during his festivals. Sergius (or Serge) and Bacchus were fourth-century Roman Christian soldiers revered as martyrs and saints by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Churches. Their feast day is October 7, or 8, in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.