This important and sacred tradition plays a central role Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey ! “Kathari Deftera” or Clean Monday marks the end of Apokries and the beginning of Lent. Easter is by far the most important holiday in Greece. It is customary for your friends and family to call to wish you a happy name-day and for you to offer sweet treats to share with others. https://www.skyscanner.net/news/guide-20-beautiful-greek-islands The evil eye is a superstition that a great percentage of Greeks believe in. ... You’ll find these beautifully twisty cookies at every holiday celebration in Greece, especially Easter. Restaurants offer special menus, and the window displays of flower shops fill with red roses and teddy bears. But don’t worry if you aren’t religious—while the dominant religion is Greek Orthodox, most of the country has a relaxed and flexible approach to how religion is practiced. While Easter has its origins in ancient religion, Oxi Day is based on the events of World War … The 23rd of August marks the Ancient Greek holiday of Nemesia, – the festival of the Goddess Nemesis – the Goddess of Fate, Revenge, and Divine Retribution. While Tinos is the most famous destination, most Greeks try to be somewhere on that special day, like an island, their village, or a church, and most stores are closed. It is a double holiday, celebrated as both a day of independence and an important religious holiday. Tsiknopempti is a day for meat feasts This pilgrimage is done by people in need of special miracles who are praying to the Virgin Mary for help. Stuffed cabbage leaves are a traditional Christmas dish, commonly referred to as yiaprakia in northern Greece while the… Greek Easter doesn’t usually fall on the same day as everyone else’s as the Orthodox Christian Church calculates a bit differently to other Christian denominations – it uses the Julian calendar, not the Gregorian. Traditional Greek Farmhouse Holidays. It is at the beginning of the 7th week of the year, just before Easter Sunday. Each month in International Living magazine, we share the actionable, on-the-ground guidance you need to match the retirement dream you see in your mind with a real-world spot where you could make it your reality. The world is going to look different as this crisis plays out. But we’ll be there to keep you current and show you the best-value escapes—the safe, warm, welcoming, low-cost havens where you can live large for less than it would cost you to stay home. The Italian ambassador was demanding that Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified “strategic locations.” I first heard this story from one of my Greek language teachers, Rosa. Here are a few highlights of Greek holidays and traditions. Greek soup spoon. My Greek name is Evangelia, and my name Day is March 25, which is also Greek Independence Day. From classics that are associated with the holidays in every corner of Greece to regional favorites, the tastes of the holidays are fabulous! While there is a military flavor to the day, the celebrations are festive, and everyone enjoys a day off work. Religious celebrations take precedent, with Easter and Christmas the perfect excuse for a family get-together, and food traditions play a huge part. The holiday is so important that an entire week (Megali Evdomada or Big Week) is dedicated to it, and many other Greek holidays are based around Easter. We provide below information about traditional festivities (Name day celebration, Engagement, Carnival, Clean Monday, Easter, Greek Independence Day, The Ohi Day) and Superstitions (the Evil Eye (Mati), Spitting, Black cat, Hobgoblins, Tuesday the 13th, The expression Piase Kokkino) Philippi Festival. Dogs welcome. Carnival is lively and colorful with elaborate floats and thousands of people in masks and costumes coming for dancing, drinking, and general festivities. Not tied to a specific holiday, ancient Greek hospitality (xenia) was shown through exchanging gifts between a host and guests. A person that … The Christmas season in Greece spans twelve days, beginning on December 25th, Christmas, and ending on January 6th, Epiphany. Holiday Traditions of Greece "Merry Christmas". Pair this … Simply enter your email address below to sign up for our free daily postcards and we’ll also send you a FREE report on The World’s Top 10 Retirement Havens. As you can see, the Greek Orthodox religion is a big part of the backbone of celebrations and holidays in Greece. They make a great after-school snack or accompaniment to afternoon coffee. Like any traditional Christmas cookie recipe, every Greek family has their own version of kourabiedes. Subscribe to the Magazine Today and Save 65%, Claim Your $99 Voucher When You Subscribe to IL Magazine, about subscribing to International Living Magazine, A Step by Step Guide to Buying Real Estate in Greece. Clean Monday is a Bank Holiday in Greece, thus the perfect excuse for a long weekend getaway! In the middle of the Apokries period is a special Thursday celebration called Tsikopempti. On Good Friday the people of the towns and villages carry candles and follow the procession of the Epitaph. One of the most important holidays on the Greek Orthodox calendar is Easter, a very special day that is celebrated with celebrations, feasts, and, of course, red eggs! 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