Christougena, which in Greek means Christmas, is celebrated on the 25th of December and is a time when families come together to celebrate. Happy smiling children in the photos gave me hope for the present and future. Celebrations really pick-up as Christmas day gets closer, usually from the 20th of December. Christmas in Greece is celebrated on 25th December. Overview of holidays and many observances in Greece during the year 2021 How is Greece celebrating 2020 Christmas? © Time and Date AS 1995–2021. He bears little resemblance to the western version of Santa though: he’s tall, slender, and … December 25 and 26 is a public holiday in Greece. Usually, the celebration of Christmas in Greece spread over 12 days starting from … The February Full Moon is named after the snow on the ground. Basil), the Greek version of Santa Claus, brings gifts. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. So there’s a whole month of festivities to enjoy. Most towns and villages like to decorate with lots of lights, bells and angels. Others spend time quietly with their family and friends. In … Christmas Day in Greece celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. In almost every home the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. Basil because he is Father Christmas, and everyone called Vassilis (boy's name) or Vassiliki (girl's name) celebrates his/her name day. This holiday happens on the 25th of December every year. Christmas in Greece. Most people put up a Christmas tree, go to church, eat a fancy meal, and open presents. One particularly interesting spot to make note of is the bazaar at St. Paul’s Anglican church which … It celebrates Jesus' birth. The Christmas season in Greece now begins on December 6th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6th, the day of Epiphany. The new normal includes: masks; 6 feet distance; 9 persons maximum house parties and limited contact with the elderly. Privacy & Terms. More. The whole advent season in Greece is still more religious than in other countries where it has become a secular, commercialised holiday. If you find an error, please let us know. Pitsa and Christos Macarounis described strict quarantine measures, with police patrolling the streets of Tripoli, in the Peloponnese. In some areas, a period of fasting takes place for some in preparation for this very spiritual holiday season. The new normal includes: masks; 6 feet distance; 9 persons maximum house parties and limited contact with the elderly. Greece has its own musical traditions around the holidays, too. Streets are packed with people buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, as well as Christmas carolers singing Christmas songs. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. This is a good chance for families to come together over the decorated table and try Christmas food prepared by the housewife. Christmas in Greece. Home Calendar Holidays Greece Christmas Day Christmas Day in Greece Christmas Day, on December 25, is one of the most festive Christian holidays in many countries around the world. Christmas Day, on December 25, is one of the most festive Christian holidays in many countries around the world. In centuries of Greek folklore, Nicholas was seen as "The Lord of the Sea' while in modern Greece he is still easily among the most recognisable saints … In fact, the English word for Christmas carol comes from the Greek dance, the Choraulein, which is performed to flute music.Christmas carols were originally sung during festivals all around the world, including in Greece, so this tradition still lives strong in many of the major cities and small villages of the … There are many customs associated with the "twelve day of Christmas," some very old and others relatively recent, like the decorated tree and the turkey on the Christmas-day table. Greek Christmas Time This is how Christmas in Greece is celebrated, learn some interesting facts! Children, open your presents on New Year's Day: On the 1st of January children in Greece receive their presents; this day is also dedicated to St. References: The Christmas season in Athens kicks off on December 6 for the feast day of St. Nicholas, and continues until Epiphany on January 6. They are believed to enter the house through chimneys. Christmas celebrations in Greece are all about celebrations of birth of Jesus and parties with family. Many people celebrate Christmas Day with a festive meal. Others spend time quietly with their family and friends. It traditionally begins on 6 December with the Feast of St. Nicholas and ends on 6 January with the Feast of the Epiphany. Roast pork is the traditional Christmas meal during Christmas in Greece. The main difference that visitors notice when in Greece during the holiday period, is that Christmas seems to be a much more low-key event than in other parts of the world, and certainly the United States. European handmade ornaments adorned the tree in their dining room. You may not be laying out on a sunny beach (then again you may) but the winters are mild in Athens and contrary to popular opinion the islands don't actually close down like a summer amusement park would. For example, in Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania, Christmas celebrations are held on the 25th of December. Christmas Day in Greece celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. In return, children are often given sweets or coins, as a token of appreciation. Most buildings are closed other than railway stations … Orthodox Christmas Day 2022. Also popular is bread called Christopsomo that has a cross design baked into it and is eaten after Christmas dinner. Celebration\ Observance. Find christmas in greece stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. These bazaars attract a predominantly local crowd, making visiting one of them an interesting cultural experience. It’s a time for families to come together and celebrate. There is a difference of thirteen days in both countries. Greeks are sociable, hospitable persons. Greeks believe that goblins/bad spirits or kallikantzaroi as they call them, appear during the 12- day celebrations of Christmas until the day they observe Epiphany which generally falls on January 6th. It is a festival when the family comes together for the celebrations. Most towns and villages like to decorate with lots of lights, bells and angels. Celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Greece is like finding yourself in an expressionist work of art: decorated Christmas trees, shiny bright ornaments, and “karavakia” (small Christmas ships) decked with blue and white lights illuminate our streets; harmonious bells and children’s carols echo through our cities and villages.. Orthodox Christmas Day 2021. Each morning the ends of the basil sprig may be dipped in holy water and sprinkled in each of the rooms to ward off evil spirits known as Killantzaroi. Thu, Jan 7, 2021 – 20 countries. Since Christmas just passed, we thought it would be important to discusses holiday traditions held by Greek natives. This Greek Santa Claus visits the home of children and offers them small gifts. Many people Traditionally, New Year is when Agios Vasilis (St. Christmas in Greece is celebrated on the same day as the United States; December 25, which happens to be the “name day” for Christos, which means “anointed,” or “Messiah.” It was the what early Greek-speaking Christians called Jesus. On January 1st, a popular baked … Christougena, which in Greek means Christmas, is celebrated on the 25th December and is a time when families come together to celebrate. This Greek Santa Claus visits the home of children and offers them small gifts. In Greece St Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, and December 6th is St. Nicholas Day. The menu may include items such as roasted lamb and pork and giant loaves of spiced sweet bread which is called christopomo or Christ bread. Greece holidays 2022. The Christmas tree is a fairly new import in Greece, and while it made its first appearance during the reign of King Otto of Bavaria in the 1830s, it did not become popular until after the 1940s. The Christmas season in Athens kicks off on December 6 for the feast day of St. Nicholas, and continues until Epiphany on January 6. But for some people that is a good reason to go there. Christmas in Greece comes with many old traditions and plenty of festivities. Valentine’s Day is a special time to celebrate love, romance and friendship. Christmas celebrations in Greece officially last for 14 days, starting on Christmas Eve and ending on Epiphany (6 January) with the ‘Great Blessing of Water’. In Greece, the Christmas season is in full swing by December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, when presents are exchanged, and lasts through January 6th, … Christmas Day - Greece. One of the most exciting traditions is for young people, and children, is to go caroling. Moreover, in all of the Orthodox countries, there are at least some Catholics and Greek Catholics, so some part of the population might have Christmas at the end of December in their families or communities. About 12 percent of the Christians all across the world are still waiting for the celebration of Christmas … It is actually a very solemn holiday in Greece. Greek Christmas (Christougena) is celebrated on the 25th of December and is the time when families come together to celebrate. Greece has its own Santa Claus that is called as Saint Vasilis. Celebration\ Observance. Some Native American tribes named this the Hunger Moon, others called it the Storm Moon. Traditionally, in Greece, gift-giving happens at New Year's. How does the 12-hour clock system work? Greece has its own Santa Claus that is called as Saint Vasilis. Fri, Jan 7, 2022 – 20 countries. Celebrations really pick-up from the 20 th of December, as Christmas day gets closer. Orthodox Christmas day 2021 is observed on 7 th January, to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas season in Greece begins on December 6 th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6 th, which is the Feast of the Epiphany (Theophania). The Christmas season in Greece lasts for an entire month. © Shutterstock. One of the main reasons that the Christmas holiday is held in such high regards by the Greek natives is because over 90 percent … In most homes, the tradition of hanging up a wooden cross in a shallow bowl that is wrapped in basil is still popular. Baking traditional Greek sweets for Christmas and the New Year is another great way of enjoying the holidays as a family, while reaping the benefits with delicious treats. Within their commonly held traditions, there are some that derive from typical Christmas festivities around the world, yet also others that are completely unique to Greece. Greece has its own version of Santa Claus, they call him Saint Vasilis, who comes to their home on Christmas eve to deliver a few small … Most people put up a Christmas tree, go to church, eat a fancy meal, and open presents. Christmas in Greece. How is Greece celebrating 2020 Christmas? Christmas Eve Caroling: Calanda. It traditionally begins on 6 December with the Feast of St. Nicholas and ends on 6 January with the Feast of the Epiphany. Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, described in the Christian Bible. Following the Gregorian calendar, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December. Christmas Day, on December 25, is one of the most festive Christian holidays in many countries around the world. One of the Christmas beliefs in Greece is the … Thu, Jan 6, 2022 – Armenia. Wed, Jan 6, 2021 – Armenia. The traditional Christmas celebration lasts for 13 days, from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6th, the day when the baptism of Jesus Christ is … There are hotels that … Christmas Day is a public holiday. Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. It celebrates Jesus' birth. The main meal for Christmas is very grand and is much anticipated by both adults and children. Pitsa and Christos Macarounis described strict quarantine measures, with police patrolling the streets of Tripoli, in the Peloponnese. © Shutterstock. 2020 Christmas traditions carry on in Greece. More, Skip the alphabet ‘L’ in everything you do on December 25 or A'phabet Day or No "L" Day. Most families set up Christmas trees and shops have decorations and lights. Greek Christmas bazaars are comparable to flea markets – you can find everything from clothing and house products, to street food snacks and religious idols. The people of Greece have held Christmas celebrations for quite some time. Is Christmas Day a Public Holiday? Festive shopping … Throughout Christmas holidays there are several Greek Christmas traditions that passed from generation to generation and are still celebrated. Many Orthodox Christians in countries such as the United States fast before Christmas Day. Also popular is bread called Christopsomo that has a cross design baked into it and is eaten after Christmas dinner. Commemorate the life and times of scientist Isaac Newton and celebrate science and reason. So there’s a whole month of festivities to enjoy. Christmas in Greece is celebrated on 25th December. It is strongly competing with the Christmas boat, so it us thus not uncommon to find Greek homes where both are present. Greece holidays 2021. The feast of the birth of Jesus is also known as the ‘Incarnation of Christ’ meaning that Jesus became a man and came into the world. Traditionally the Christmas holiday period lasts 12 days in Greece. In Greek, Christmas is known as Christougena (Χριστούγεννα) and people wish Merry Christmas to each other saying Kala Christougenna (Καλά Χριστούγεννα). However, as soon as December arrives, festivities begin: homes are decorated, and the smell of This holiday happens on the 25th of December every year. Christmas celebrations in Greece are all about celebrations of birth of Jesus and parties with family. Greeks are sociable, hospitable persons. The Christmas season in Greece lasts for an entire month. “It is the only big mall in Larissa, with numerous stores and activities” I was impressed with their live Christmas tree. Christmas in Athens, Greece: Winter in Greece is not just the off-season. Christmas in Greece. Traditionally the Christmas holiday period lasts 12 days in Greece. 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