Public holidays in Greece
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Date | English Name | Greek Name | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | Protochronia, Πρωτοχρονιά (lit. first day of the year) | ||
| January 6 | Epiphany | Theofania, Θεοφάνεια | The Blessing of the Waters | |
| January 30 | The Three Holy Hierarchs | Trion Ierarchon, Τριών Ιεραρχών | School holiday commemorating the patron saints of education | |
| moveable | Ash Monday | Kathari Deftera, Καθαρή Δευτέρα | The first day of Lent. In 2007, this was celebrated on February 19. | |
| March 25 | 25th of March | Eikosti-pempti Martiou (lit. 25th of March) | Dual holiday: 1. Anniversary of the declaration of the start of Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire, in 1821. 2. Celebration of the Annunciation - when the birth of Christ was announced to the Virgin Mary. | |
| movable | Easter Sunday | Kyriaki tou Pascha, Κυριακή του Πάσχα | In 2007, this will be celebrated on April 8 | |
| movable | Easter Monday | Deutera tou Pascha, Δευτέρα του Πάσχα | In 2007, this will be celebrated on April 9 | |
| movable | Holy Spirit Monday | Aghiou Pnevmatos, Αγιου Πνευματος | Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday | |
| May 1 | Labor Day | Ergatiki Protomagia, Εργατική Πρωτομαγιά | ||
| July 25 | The "Restoration of Democracy" | 'Metapolitefsi" or 'Apokatastasi tis Dimokratias', Αποκατάσταση της Δημοκρατίας | For all practical purposes, this is a normal working day. | |
| August 15 | The Falling Asleep of the Virgin | Panaghias, Παναγίας | The most important celebration of the Virgin Mary | |
| October 28 | The "Ochi day" | 'To Ochi' or 'Imera tou Ochi", Το Όχι (lit. Day of the "No") | Celebration of the refusal to yield to the powers of the Axis in 1940. | |
| November 17 | Polytechneio | Polytechneio, Πολυτεχνείο | Anniversary of the 1973 students protests against the junta of the colonels (1967-1974). Only a school holiday, but much of the centre of Athens is shut down for the march on the American Embassy. | |
| December 25th | Christmas | Christougenna, Χριστούγεννα | ||
| December 26th | Boxing Day | Synaxis Theotokou, Σύναξις Θεοτόκου |
[edit] Bibliography
Tomkinson, John L., Festive Greece: A Calendar of Tradition, Anagnosis, (Athens, 2003) ISBN 960-87186-7-8
