Independence Day of Greece - the most important holiday of the country

For the Greeks, the most significant holiday of the yearis the independence day of Greece. It is celebrated at the end of March, namely the 25th. Like most countries of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece was under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire for more than four centuries. In 1821, the people mobilized all their forces and embarked on the path of the national liberation struggle, the outcome of which was the declaration of independence. It happened on March 25 of the same year. In contrast to the results of the uprisings of 1771-1781, the Greeks were finally able to defeat the Turkish invaders.

The beginning of the national struggle and the long-awaited Independence Day of Greece

Strange as it may sound, the ideaLiberation struggle was born for the first time among the Greeks living in Ukraine. There, especially in the port cities (Odessa, Kherson, Taganrog, etc.) in the second half of the 18th century, a large Greek community was formed. It consisted of families who had fled from the Turkish yoke. In 1814, the national-liberation organization “Friendly Society” began to form among the emigrants. Its leaders sent delegates to all major cities of Greece. Among the masterminds were Russian officers - Greeks by origin - brothers Alexander and Dimitros Ypsilanti. They were close to the court of the Russian emperor. At the beginning of the first spring month of 1821, the brothers led uprisings in Moldova, Morea and other Balkan countries. In the last decade of the month it was planned to hold the most large-scale action - an armed uprising. Soon was appointed and the day of the beginning - March 25. As a result, the Greek people were able to defeat the enemy invaders. Disgraced throughout four centuries in the territory of Greece, Turkish soldiers were forced to leave the country. Today is the day celebrated as the Independence Day of Greece. He is the undisputed leader among the major holidays for the modern Greeks, who, thanks to this, have been living in a free country for the last 200 years. The Greeks, as is known, are one of the most freedom-loving peoples in all of Europe, and being under someone's yoke is simply tantamount to death. That is why they value their freedom so much, and on March 21 for them is the Day of the National Revival of Greece.

Orthodox holidays in Greece

As already noted, in this Christian countryAlong with secular, public holidays also include church holidays. In Orthodox Greece, strangely enough, Christmas is celebrated on the Catholic calendar - from the 24th to the 25th of December. But on January 6, the Epiphany and the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River are celebrated here. This is a very beautiful ritual. After the liturgy, the priest throws a cross into the depths of the sea. After her, all wishing men dive into the cold January waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The one who manages to get the cross, becomes the hero of this holiday. In fact, the holidays of Greece are always celebrated on a large scale. Festivities are organized, a lot of wine is poured, and tables are filled with refreshments. The Greeks, like no other nation, love to party, dance, sing, etc. Even such church holidays as the beginning of Great Lent and the Annunciation are held on a large scale. It is clear that on Easter Day (the end of Lent) the people sing and rejoice. Among the church holidays of Greece there is another one, which, perhaps, is celebrated only in this country - this is May 21 - the day of Saints Constantine and Helena. This day is remarkable mass procession. The name of Constantine is also associated Pokrov Holy Virgin (Agia Skepi) - the day when the emperor was miraculously saved from the siege of Muslims.

Celebration features

Each of these holidays has its own specialrituals. These days, housewives prepare special dishes. Especially important is the preparation of festive bread, in which, depending on the holiday, they hide a coin or something else. In addition, the Greeks love to celebrate holidays in noisy companies. Sitting, eating delicious dishes prepared by skilled housewives, drinking local beverages, having easy conversations about this and that, singing songs, etc. The culminating moment of any Greek holiday are national dances, especially sirtaki. Putting their hands on each other's shoulders, the Greeks begin their legendary dance.

National holidays of Greece

Like most countries of the world, the most belovedthe holiday is the New Year. It, as well as in all European countries, is celebrated on the night of January 1. May Day in Greece is the Day of Flowers and Labor. For most Greeks, the first day of May is an obligatory march on nature, where girls and women weave wreaths of wild flowers, then they are kept until August 29 (St. John's Day), and then burned on a fire.

And women are not forgotten!

In the Greek Balkans there is a celebration dedicated toweaker sex - Ginaykratiya. It is also celebrated on the 8th, not just March, but January. On this day, women's festivals are held. Husbands take all the household chores and free them from their half of the day, who clean up and go to a cafe or restaurant.

The national holidays of Greece also include: May 19 is the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Genocide, the Day of Ohi - August 28 and November 17 - the holiday of Politechnio. Well, the most important holiday, as already noted, is the Independence Day of Greece. Of course, this is not a complete list of holidays that are celebrated in this country. Nevertheless, those that we have already named are the most widespread.

The most important Greek holiday

Of course, you guessed what was going to be discussed. Of course, this is the Independence Day of Greece. Despite the fact that it does not belong to the church, on this day in all the churches of the country the morning liturgy is held in the morning, the bells are ringing, etc. After that, a military parade and peaceful demonstrations of workers are held on the streets of large cities. Flowers and wreaths are laid on the memorials of those killed in the days of the uprising.