Home Top 10 10 Unique Greek Traditions

10 Unique Greek Traditions

0
10 Unique Greek Traditions

Name Day Celebration

Source: Link

Greeks are mostly named after religious saints. As an important tradition, it requires everyone to have a name coming from a saint. This has been celebrated by the church, celebrating his name on any given day of the year. On the name day celebration, family and friends will visit him or her without invitation, as they offer presents and wishes. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

Engagement

Source: Link

Getting engaged before being married is a tradition of the Greeks. Thus, a man has to ask for the hand of the woman from the father or the close family. Both families will give presents to the groom and the bride. In return, the couple will exchange wedding rings, being worn on the left hand. When the wedding ends, they will be worn on the right. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

Carnival

Source: Link

The Carnival in Greece is called Apokries, which consists of a couple weeks of feasting. This begins in the Sunday of Meat Fare and it ends on the first day of Lent. This is called the Kathari Deutera or the Clean Monday. Everybody is requested to wear costumes and they will have parties in bars and on the streets where they throw colored confetti at each other. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

Clean Monday

Source: Link

The first day of Saracosti or Lent is called Lent Monday or Clean Monday. Families will perform this as they go for a picnic on the countryside and enjoy the occasion. Likewise, they are also allowed to fly kites during this famous event. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

Easter

Source: Link

The most important celebration for Greeks is the Easter, which is even more compared to Christmas celebration. At the night of the Holy Saturday, people will dress up and go to church in which the ceremony is held. When the Easter Sunday comes, the family will roast the lamb by the spit. This is famous at the Corfu Island. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

Independence Day in Greece

Source: Link

This is the day when people celebrate the declaration of the Independence Day war versus the Ottomans in 1821. Aside from the national celebration, this is also a celebration that is dedicated for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

The Ohi Day

Source: Link

Greeks are known to celebrate the day when the dictator Metaxas prevented the invasion of the Italians in the country during the Second World War. This is also the celebration of the heroic OXI, which citizens would put a Greek flag on the balconies and windows. People would participate in the parade in collaboration with the army and students. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

Traditional Weddings

Source: Link

This event will begin with bouncing a baby boy on the nuptial bed and dressing the bride, who will be escorted by musicians going to the church. This is the complex wedding ritual in Lefkas, which has become a tradition in Greece. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

Baptism Day

Source: Link

One of the most important days for Greeks is the baptismal day in Greek Orthodox. This usually takes place a year after the birth of the baby. When baptismal day comes, the baby will then be undressed and wrapped using a white towel. Click the next ARROW to see the next image!

Feast of Klidonas

Source: Link

This tradition requires people to jump over fire during the celebration of St. John at the end of June. This is one of the traditions that has disappeared slowly. This might not be so surprising, as cities have become more crowded that it was no longer possible to pile up logs to make fire on the streets.