New Years Day. Ai Vassilis (St Basil - the Greek Santa Claus) brings gifts to the children.

Epiphany - A religious ceremony takes place during which, according to tradition, a cross is dropped into the sea to sanctify it. This is retrieved by young male divers and handed to the Bishop. White doves are released to fly over the sea.

The first day of lent. People go out to the countryside where they fly kites and eat the fasting dishes appropriate to that day. Note: As the date of Easter is movable, so is Clean Monday.

Carnival season (The three weeks before Lent).

Feast of the Annunciation/Independence Day. The anniversary of the day on which Bishop Germanos led a revolt against the Turks at Kalavrita in 1921. There are military parades in all major towns.

A procession of the decorated bier of the dead Christ takes place in the main streets of the town - a moving spectacle of Byzantine Christian magnificence.

(According to the Orthodox calendar) celebrations continue on Easter Monday with religious processions, fireworks, cracking of dyed eggs, roasting of Lambs, etc. It is the day of love, when greetings are exchanged in celebration of Christ’s Resurrection.

Labour Day and Flower Festival celebrated with picnics in the countryside and flower gathering.

Pentecost

Popular festivals at many Churches and Chapels celebrate the ordination of the Virgin.

The Greek National Day. The anniversary of the defeat of the invading Italian army in 1940 and Metaxas’ negative response to the Italians’ ultimatum. Military parades are held in all major towns.

Christmas Day - Children go carol singing all over Greece.

Boxing Day - Family celebrations

New Years Eve - More carol singing and it is traditional to play cards.

Greek names come from the Saints and sometimes the Gods and people celebrate their name day on the day their Saint was born. If named after a God, there is one day that they celebrate all together, once a year. Name days tend to be more important than Birthdays.