What holidays did the Greeks celebrate?
National Holidays
| Date | English Name | Greek Name |
|---|---|---|
| moveable Easter + 50 days Next: 21 June 2021 | Whit Monday | Δευτέρα Πεντηκοστής or Αγίου Πνεύματος |
| 15 August | Assumption Day or Dormition of the Holy Virgin | Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου |
| 28 October | Ochi Day | Το Όχι or Ημέρα του Όχι |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Χριστούγεννα |
Why do the Orthodox celebrate Christmas on January 7?
Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, described in the Christian Bible. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.
Why is Greek Orthodox Easter celebrated?
Both Orthodox Easter and Easter Sunday are Christian festivals where believers celebrate the resurrection of Jesus – it’s the most important festival in the Christian Calendar. Lazarus Saturday falls eight days before Easter Sunday and signifies the end of Great Lent, although the fasting continues into Holy Week.
How do Greeks celebrate Orthodox Easter?
Greek Easter Sunday means eating Greek lamb, goat, kokoretsi, wine, tsoureki bread and cracking red eggs, while visiting family, friends, dancing etc. but also enjoying the beautiful nature and wildflowers everywhere.
What is Greek Orthodox Easter called?
Great and Holy Pascha (Easter) is celebrated by Eastern Orthodox Chrisitans (officially known as the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as Greek Orthodox), and this year it falls on April 28.
What is Greek Orthodox Good Friday?
Holy Friday is a day that allows the Orthodox Christian to think on the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Matins begins the process of Holy Friday on Thursday evening, and it is ended with the Vespers on Friday afternoon in which a time is represented that commemorates Jesus being removed from the cross.
What do Greek people eat on Good Friday?
Many devout people do not cook on Holy Friday. If they do, traditional foods are simple and only those that can be boiled in water (not oil) and seasoned with vinegar. Beans or thin soups like tahinosoupa (a soup made with tahini) are quite common.
What you should not do on Good Friday?
According to snopes.com and vatra.com folks should avoid the following:
- Do not handle any nails or iron tools.
- Do not plant anything or break any ground.
- Do not wash clothes.
- Children should not climb tree.
- Adults should not work on Good Friday.
- Do not eat or drink anything containing vinegar or nettles.