Holidays in Greece are traditions. National Holidays in Greece
Holidays in Greece
Greece is ready to offer its guests all the delights of a tourist vacation. The sun shines here almost all year round. The country is washed by four seas, and its water area is simply oversaturated with islands. Picturesque ruins, treasury museums, fruit groves and excellent Mediterranean cuisine. To match this variety and the holidays of Greece, which abound in the local calendar.
Pyrovassia
The roots of the holiday go deep into pagan times, when people worshiped fire, sun, wind and water. Literally, Pyrroassia translates as «walking on fire». The church does not recognize this holiday, but residents of the northern part of the country organize processions every year. In their opinion, Pirovassia is precisely a Christian celebration, since its patrons are Saints Constantine and Helena..
The celebration lasts three days, starting on May 21st. The event itself begins with universal repentance, when residents of cities and towns raise prayers to heaven. For an uninitiated person, all this looks very unusual, given that the Greeks put their whole soul into them, sincerely believing in what is happening. Throughout the festive night, bonfires are burned everywhere, which by morning leave behind only hot coals. It is at this moment that all the fun begins..
Daredevils from the crowd of revelers, taking icons in their hands, go for a walk on the crimson coals from the heat. Quite surprisingly, the feet of the firewalkers remain unharmed. It is believed to be a gift from the patrons of the holiday. In 1250, the icons of the saints were rescued from the burning church and now, on this magical night, people can walk on fire, unable to harm them..
Dormition of the Virgin
The island of Tinos became the custodian of the holy icon of Our Lady of Tinos. Wonderfully found, she represents the Virgin Mary offering prayer. The image is located in the Church of Great Grace, which was built exactly on the spot where the icon was found. Every year a huge number of pilgrims come here to walk the Penitential Way. The believers overcome the road to the temple (from the port itself) on their knees, thanks to the Virgin Mary for all the mercies.
In the evening, a religious procession is performed around the temple, and after that the fun begins. Music is heard everywhere and people are having a great time at the fair.
Ginaikratia
In fact, this is our native March 8, which is celebrated in Greece on January 8. On this day, women receive unlimited power and use such a gift for «all one hundred».
Men, on the other hand, simply have to spend the whole day doing their usual «female» deeds. Today, all household chores fall on their shoulders, and the ladies go to the cafeteria. These are small cozy cafes, the main visitors of which are men. Here they drink coffee, make small talk, discussing news and politics. But on January 8, the diners are only women..