Holidays in Greece (January to May) 2024

Epiphany is today and its is when Jesus Christ is recognized as the Messiah.  He was baptized in the Jordan river and this is why on this day in Greece the Priest will throw a special cross into the water and young men will jump and and race for it.   The person that finds it is said again to have good luck for the year.

Here is a video of what it looks like

The carnival in Greece is a big celebration right before the beginning of the Easter fast.  It begins around 10 weeks before the Greek easter and ends on Clean Monday.  It is also called “apokries” which means abstention from meat.
During these few weeks of the carnival, we wear costumes, mask going out to celebrate and party.  We dress up and wear masks as a way to show our freedom of expression.

The biggest city to celebrate “apokries” is Patras. If you are interested in visiting Patra for the carnavali click here.

The english translation meaning charred thursday or grill thursday is one of the Carnval celebrations.  On this day, we grill and eat a lot of meat!  We do it because, soon, the 40 day meat fast is coming up so we need our strength.  Nowadays, however, many don’t do the whole 40 day meat fast.  Some do it for the last week and others not at all.  Everyone still celebrates tsiknopemti though :).

Holy Week blog

Holy Week, also known as “Megali Evdomada” or “Great Week,” is a significant religious observance leading up to Easter Sunday. Holy Week commemorates the events of the Passion of Jesus Christ, including his crucifixion and resurrection. The Greek Orthodox Church follows a traditional and elaborate schedule of services and rituals during this week.

The key days and events during Holy Week in Greece include:

1. Palm Sunday (Kyriaki ton Palmon): The week begins with the celebration of Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. People attend church services, and branches of palm or other local vegetation are blessed and distributed to the congregation.
2. Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday: These days are marked by evening church services focusing on the anointing of Jesus’ feet by a woman with expensive ointment, the parable of the ten virgins, and the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.
3. Holy Thursday (Megali Pempti): The focus is on the Last Supper and the institution of the Holy Eucharist. In the evening, the Service of the Holy Passion takes place, during which the twelve Gospel readings narrating the events leading to the Crucifixion are recited.
4. Good Friday (Megali Paraskevi): This is a day of mourning and reflection on the Crucifixion. In the evening, the symbolic funeral procession of the epitaphios (a decorated bier representing the body of Christ) takes place, and people join in a solemn procession through the streets.
5. Holy Saturday (Megalo Sabbato): The day begins with the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil and the reading of the Acts of the Apostles. In the evening, the Resurrection Service (Anastasi) is the highlight, celebrating the Resurrection of Christ. At midnight, the proclamation “Christos Anesti” (Christ is Risen) is made, and people exchange the Easter greeting.
6. Easter Sunday (Kyriaki tou Paskha): Easter Sunday is a joyous day marked by the Divine Liturgy and the continuation of celebrations. Families gather for festive meals, and traditional foods, including lamb, are often enjoyed.

Holy Week is a time of deep religious reflection and observance for the Greek Orthodox Christian community. The rituals and traditions vary across regions, but the central theme is the journey from the suffering and death of Christ to the joyous celebration of his resurrection.