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Cultural Do's and Don'ts
From Greece101 Staff
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Greece is a modern country yet it retains many of it's old traditions, most of which are based in the Greek Orthodox Church. For that reason, it is important to know what to do and what not do so as to not offend the local population.
In order to enter a church, women are expected to wear skirts that fall below their knees and at a minimum, shirts that cover their shoulders. Men should likewise wear pants and sleeved shirts. You will see tourists entering churches with far less clothing than is required, but it is considered extremely offensive.
Nude sun bathing is considered inappropriate unless you are on a designated nude beach or in a remote area where you are not be likely to be seen. That being said, it is more and more common to see topless sunbathers along Athens' coastal beaches in the summer. No one will fine you, but you may offend some.
Greeks may not want you to bare your body but they do have some expectation that you'll bare your soul, so to speak. Questions about your family, marital status, age, job, and salary are commonplace and are not considered rude. In fact, you will be the offender if you decline to answer some of the personal questions directed to you.
If you are invited to someone's house for a drink, a meal, or to spend the night do not offer money, no matter how poor the people may be. The suggestion of payment is offensive. Instead offer a gift for the family or for the children.
When having a glass of wine never finish the entire glass. This way the cup can always be refilled. If you are pouring wine, never pour more than half a glass.
Finally, always greet people when you enter their shops or restaurants. Say kalimera (good morning) in the mornings and kalispera (good day) when it is not morning.
greek orthodox religious holiday calendar
New Year's Day (Protohronia) January 1
Following a morning church ceremony presents are exchanged, and there is singing, dancing, and feasting. A special cake, called a vasilopita, is baked with a coin inside. The person who eats the piece with the coin will have a year of good luck. The traditional New Year greeting is "Kali Hronia."
Epiphany (Agia Theofania) January 6
Epiphany is the celebration of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist (St. John). The day is marked by blessing the waters. Around the country rivers, lakes, and oceans are blessed and crosses immersed in them. The largest celebration is in Piraeus where a cross is thrown into the sea and young men dive to retrieve it.
Ash/Shrove/Clean Monday (Koulouma)
The first day of Lent, which is 40 days before Easter. On Ash Monday, it is traditional to go the countryside for a picnic, fly kites, and eat Lenten food.
Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation (Evaggelismos) March 25
On March 25, 1821 the Bishop of Patra, Germanos, began the uprising that started the War for Independence. Today it is celebrated with military parades in most major cities. Independence Day also coincides with the religious Feast of the Annunciation, so it is also a religious festival.
greek easter sunday - from 2004 until 2023
Greek Easter does not always fall on the same date as what most countries knows as "Easter" because the Eastern Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar when calculating Easter ..
2004 - Easter Sunday - April 11th
2005 - Easter Sunday - May 1st
2006 - Easter Sunday - April 23rd
2007 - Easter Sunday - April 8th
2008 - Easter Sunday - April 27th
2009 - Easter Sunday - April 19th
2010 - Easter Sunday - April 4th
2011 - Easter Sunday - April 24th
2012 - Easter Sunday - April 15th
2013 - Easter Sunday - May 5th
2014 - Easter Sunday - April 20th
2015 - Easter Sunday - April 12th
2016 - Easter Sunday - May 1st
2017 - Easter Sunday - April 16th
2018 - Easter Sunday - April 8th
2019 - Easter Sunday - April 28th
2020 - Easter Sunday - April 19th
2021 - Easter Sunday - May 2nd
2022 - Easter Sunday - April 24th
2023 - Easter Sunday - April 16th
Orthodox Easter Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter, and Easter Monday
Easter is the most important holiday in the Greek Orthodox religion. In most years it is not celebrated at the same time as Easter in the non-Orthodox Christian religions. If you are traveling in Greece in April or May be sure to check the calendar to see when Orthodox Easter falls. Most people travel home to be with their families so ferries, buses, and planes are fully booked, shops are closed, and most businesses take several days holiday.
Good Friday
The festivities begin on Good Friday with perifora epitafios, a candlelit procession of a shrouded funeral bier that is carried through the city streets to the local church. Every major city and tiny town in Greece has their own procession, although the most impressive one takes place in Athens where the procession climbs Lykabettus to the Chapel of Agios Georgios.
Holy Saturday/Resurrection (Anastasi)
On Holy Saturday there is a Resurrection Mass at 11 P.M. followed at midnight by darkness symbolizing Jesus passing through the underworld and finally by fireworks and a candle light procession through the streets symbolizing Jesus's resurrection.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a national holiday
Easter (Pascha) After the candle light procession through the street, the Lent fast is broken by eating red-dyed eggs and mayiritsa soup (made of lamb and greens). The day is spent with the family, singing, dancing, and feasting on roast lamb and red eggs. The greeting for the day is Hristos Anesti (Christ is risen) and the reply is Alithos Anesti (Truly he is risen).
Labour Day/May Day (Protomayia) May 1
On this national holiday it is traditional for people to go to the countryside, have picnics, gather flowers, and make them into wreaths for their homes. Many flower festivals take place all over the country.
Whit Monday (Agio Pnevma):
Fifty days after Easter. This religious holiday marks the descent of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. It is celebrated with church services decorated with pennants.
Assumption of the Virgin (Apokimisis tis Panagias) August 15
Assumption Day falls within the traditional Greek vacation month when Greeks are normally on the move. So typically crowded ferries and buses become even more packed near the holiday as people travel to be near their families. The island of Tinos is a major pilgrimage destination for thousands who come to be blessed, healed, or baptized.
Oxi Day (Ohi Day) October 28
During World War II, Mussolini issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Metaxas demanding free Italian passage through Greece. Metaxas' response was "Ohi" which led to the subsequent battle and eventual defeat of the invading Italian army in 1940. Today, Ohi Day is celebrated with remembrance services, military parades, folk dancing, and feasting.
Christmas (Hristouyenna) December 25
Although less important that Easter in the Greek Orthodox religion, Christmas is celebrated with religious services & feasting. Today there is considerable western influence with Christmas trees, decorations, and presents. Throughout the Christmas season children sing carols door-to-door for a small gratuity.
Gathering of the Virgin's Entourage (Synaxis tis Panagias) December 26
Similar to Boxing Day in England and Canada, the day following Christmas is a national holiday.
From Greece101 Staff
Article Tools
Print this article
Email to a friend
Add to your Favorites
Greece is a modern country yet it retains many of it's old traditions, most of which are based in the Greek Orthodox Church. For that reason, it is important to know what to do and what not do so as to not offend the local population.
In order to enter a church, women are expected to wear skirts that fall below their knees and at a minimum, shirts that cover their shoulders. Men should likewise wear pants and sleeved shirts. You will see tourists entering churches with far less clothing than is required, but it is considered extremely offensive.
Nude sun bathing is considered inappropriate unless you are on a designated nude beach or in a remote area where you are not be likely to be seen. That being said, it is more and more common to see topless sunbathers along Athens' coastal beaches in the summer. No one will fine you, but you may offend some.
Greeks may not want you to bare your body but they do have some expectation that you'll bare your soul, so to speak. Questions about your family, marital status, age, job, and salary are commonplace and are not considered rude. In fact, you will be the offender if you decline to answer some of the personal questions directed to you.
If you are invited to someone's house for a drink, a meal, or to spend the night do not offer money, no matter how poor the people may be. The suggestion of payment is offensive. Instead offer a gift for the family or for the children.
When having a glass of wine never finish the entire glass. This way the cup can always be refilled. If you are pouring wine, never pour more than half a glass.
Finally, always greet people when you enter their shops or restaurants. Say kalimera (good morning) in the mornings and kalispera (good day) when it is not morning.
greek orthodox religious holiday calendar
New Year's Day (Protohronia) January 1
Following a morning church ceremony presents are exchanged, and there is singing, dancing, and feasting. A special cake, called a vasilopita, is baked with a coin inside. The person who eats the piece with the coin will have a year of good luck. The traditional New Year greeting is "Kali Hronia."
Epiphany (Agia Theofania) January 6
Epiphany is the celebration of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist (St. John). The day is marked by blessing the waters. Around the country rivers, lakes, and oceans are blessed and crosses immersed in them. The largest celebration is in Piraeus where a cross is thrown into the sea and young men dive to retrieve it.
Ash/Shrove/Clean Monday (Koulouma)
The first day of Lent, which is 40 days before Easter. On Ash Monday, it is traditional to go the countryside for a picnic, fly kites, and eat Lenten food.
Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation (Evaggelismos) March 25
On March 25, 1821 the Bishop of Patra, Germanos, began the uprising that started the War for Independence. Today it is celebrated with military parades in most major cities. Independence Day also coincides with the religious Feast of the Annunciation, so it is also a religious festival.
greek easter sunday - from 2004 until 2023
Greek Easter does not always fall on the same date as what most countries knows as "Easter" because the Eastern Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar when calculating Easter ..
2004 - Easter Sunday - April 11th
2005 - Easter Sunday - May 1st
2006 - Easter Sunday - April 23rd
2007 - Easter Sunday - April 8th
2008 - Easter Sunday - April 27th
2009 - Easter Sunday - April 19th
2010 - Easter Sunday - April 4th
2011 - Easter Sunday - April 24th
2012 - Easter Sunday - April 15th
2013 - Easter Sunday - May 5th
2014 - Easter Sunday - April 20th
2015 - Easter Sunday - April 12th
2016 - Easter Sunday - May 1st
2017 - Easter Sunday - April 16th
2018 - Easter Sunday - April 8th
2019 - Easter Sunday - April 28th
2020 - Easter Sunday - April 19th
2021 - Easter Sunday - May 2nd
2022 - Easter Sunday - April 24th
2023 - Easter Sunday - April 16th
Orthodox Easter Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter, and Easter Monday
Easter is the most important holiday in the Greek Orthodox religion. In most years it is not celebrated at the same time as Easter in the non-Orthodox Christian religions. If you are traveling in Greece in April or May be sure to check the calendar to see when Orthodox Easter falls. Most people travel home to be with their families so ferries, buses, and planes are fully booked, shops are closed, and most businesses take several days holiday.
Good Friday
The festivities begin on Good Friday with perifora epitafios, a candlelit procession of a shrouded funeral bier that is carried through the city streets to the local church. Every major city and tiny town in Greece has their own procession, although the most impressive one takes place in Athens where the procession climbs Lykabettus to the Chapel of Agios Georgios.
Holy Saturday/Resurrection (Anastasi)
On Holy Saturday there is a Resurrection Mass at 11 P.M. followed at midnight by darkness symbolizing Jesus passing through the underworld and finally by fireworks and a candle light procession through the streets symbolizing Jesus's resurrection.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a national holiday
Easter (Pascha) After the candle light procession through the street, the Lent fast is broken by eating red-dyed eggs and mayiritsa soup (made of lamb and greens). The day is spent with the family, singing, dancing, and feasting on roast lamb and red eggs. The greeting for the day is Hristos Anesti (Christ is risen) and the reply is Alithos Anesti (Truly he is risen).
Labour Day/May Day (Protomayia) May 1
On this national holiday it is traditional for people to go to the countryside, have picnics, gather flowers, and make them into wreaths for their homes. Many flower festivals take place all over the country.
Whit Monday (Agio Pnevma):
Fifty days after Easter. This religious holiday marks the descent of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. It is celebrated with church services decorated with pennants.
Assumption of the Virgin (Apokimisis tis Panagias) August 15
Assumption Day falls within the traditional Greek vacation month when Greeks are normally on the move. So typically crowded ferries and buses become even more packed near the holiday as people travel to be near their families. The island of Tinos is a major pilgrimage destination for thousands who come to be blessed, healed, or baptized.
Oxi Day (Ohi Day) October 28
During World War II, Mussolini issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Metaxas demanding free Italian passage through Greece. Metaxas' response was "Ohi" which led to the subsequent battle and eventual defeat of the invading Italian army in 1940. Today, Ohi Day is celebrated with remembrance services, military parades, folk dancing, and feasting.
Christmas (Hristouyenna) December 25
Although less important that Easter in the Greek Orthodox religion, Christmas is celebrated with religious services & feasting. Today there is considerable western influence with Christmas trees, decorations, and presents. Throughout the Christmas season children sing carols door-to-door for a small gratuity.
Gathering of the Virgin's Entourage (Synaxis tis Panagias) December 26
Similar to Boxing Day in England and Canada, the day following Christmas is a national holiday.
