"NAME DAYS IN GREECE" Greece by janetanne

Greece Travel Guide: 27,142 reviews and 76,716 photos

GREEK HOLIDAYS

One of the nice things about living in a country such as Greece, where so many of the holidays are connected with the church, is that we have many holidays, which means days off work and school!

Here on this page, I would like to give a brief description of the Holidays as they are being celebrated throughout the year, so keep coming back to see which Name Day it is and which holiday is being celebrated in Greece each day!

I am not in anyway, promoting any religous rhetoric, but merely trying to present a part of Greek Culture that is siginificent, if only from the standpoint of Art and History. I am sure that many tourists, as they visit Greece, have entered a Byzantine Church, admired the icons, great works of art in themselves, and wondered what the symbolic meaning of each icon might represent. In fact, I believe that many Greeks do not know the meaning behind the icons.

Of course, there is far more than meets the eye when studying Byzantine Iconography. As I have actually taken some courses in 'painting icons and egg tempera technique, I have a very personal interest from the standpoint of an artist and from my interest in historical references they have.

If you have any specific questions regarding how an icon is painted or what it represents, please write me your e-mails and I will try to do my best in finding the information if I can.

In addition, I will try to change the ICON of the Saint that is being celebrated daily. So, if you have a Greek first name or perhaps you would like to know what your English name might be translated into Greek, such as John, Joan, Joanna, Nick, Nickoletta, George, Georgia, etc., you will know when you must have a big party to celebrate your Saint's Name Day. Don't forget to say 'Kronia Pola' whenever there is a holiday! In fact, you can say that almost every day...since everyday is a holiday in Greece:):)

St Christopher

St. Christopher, 'Christ-Bearer'

""If on Christopher thou shouldst gaze, thou shalt safely wend life's ways." f*

"Saint Christopher was at first named Reprobus. Seeing the Christians persecuted, he rebuked the tyrants for their cruelty. Soldiers were sent to bring him to appear before the ruler; but he converted them to Christ, and with them was baptized, receiving the name Christopher. After he appeared before the ruler, he was imprisoned and two harlots were sent to seduce him, but he converted them also, and encouraged them in their martyrdom. He was subjected to torments and finally beheaded in the days of Decius. Many marvellous and mythical things are said about him out of ignorance and superstition, one of which is that it is impossible for one to die suddenly from some unexpected cause on the day on which one looks at the Saint's icon. This is the origin of that proverb that is quoted in various quarters: "If on Christopher thou shouldst gaze, thou shalt safely wend life's ways." The etymology of his name, which means "Christ-bearer," has undoubtedly moved iconographers to depict him carrying the infant Jesus on his shoulders; it is completely erro-neous, however, to depict him, as some uninformed iconographers do, having the head of a dog, because of a statement in his life that he was dog-faced, by which is meant only that his countenance was exceedingly frightful to look upon."

Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Every day of the year, the Orthodox calendar specifies a Saint for That Day. It may be that on this day that particular Saint had been martyred or died or in some cases, it is the day that that Saint was born.

It is customary for all children born to Orthodox parents to be given a name of a Greek Orthodox Saint. Therefore, when the day the Saint you were named after is celebrated in the church, you also have a special day of celebration. This is easier than remembering a person's Birthday, which is why, perhaps, until recently, most Greeks hardly ever celebrated their 'Birthdays!'

If you want to know which Saint is being celebrated on a certain day, you can take a small book of the year's calendar from most any church or from stationary stores. Usually, there are two or three Saints celebrated on each day of the year.

If you want to know which Saint is celebrating today for instance, all you have to do is go into any church. The Saint's Icon that is being celebrated will be displayed on a special alter, usually in the middle of the main aisle as you enter the church.

Lent

Sunday of Orthodoxy - 1st Icon of Lent

Lent is the time of the year, which begins 40 days before Easter. It is the time that the Orthodox community in Greece and around the world, prepare for the ressurection of Christ. It is a sombre time of strick fasting and attending church services. Every Saturday during Lent, a special church service is held.

The icon of the Sunday of Orthodoxy commemorates the “restoration” of icons in the churches and to their use in Orthodox worship. The focal point of the icon is an icon itself, the Virgin Hodegetria, a popular depiction of the Theotokos as “Directress,” or literally “She who shows the way to God.” The icon is carried by two angels.
To the left of the icon is the Empress Theodora and her son Michael III. To the right of the icon are the Patriarchs Methodios and Tarasios.
The icon is surrounded by numerous saints who struggled against the Iconoclastic heresy.
The icon also represents the triumphant procession that was made on Sunday, March 11, 843, from the Church of the Theotokos in Blachernai to Hagia Sophia, where a Liturgy was celebrated to mark the restoration of icons.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great weather, Sun, Islands, Culture, Celebrations
Cons:Euro, Euro, Euro,Euro, Bad Drivers, Low Salaries

Last visit to Greece: Mar 2006
Intro Updated Aug 15, 2006
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Comments (34)

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icunme Apr 16, 2011 at 12:44 PM

Hi Janet - Nice to see these new tips! Our "scaramanzi" is the Italian version of your "matiasma" with various remedies! Local Customs are the most interesting to me! Ciao bella, Carol
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travelgourmet Jul 12, 2010 at 5:37 PM

Yasou, Jane. Just dropped by to remember Greece. It has been a long time, but I still dream of going back. I think the columns at the corners are larger for support not illusion. The artichoke veggie dish sounds yummy. I will have to try it. Larry
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Redang Jun 14, 2010 at 1:50 AM

I hope to go there next year!
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hopang May 8, 2010 at 12:42 PM

Excellent overview and insight into Greece with interesting local customs and warnings or dangers tips. We dislike snakes, so we certainly have to beware of poisonous snakes like the Ochia when we visit your country one day. ~ho & pang
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yaya15923 Dec 28, 2009 at 12:20 PM

great pages on Greece! I hope to return to explore more of the mainland.
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hunterV Nov 2, 2009 at 12:09 PM

~ Hi, Janet! Thanx for your pages! Is the year 1900 on your HP a joke?
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Fam.Rauca Oct 20, 2009 at 12:57 PM

This is a very good page with lots of wonderful images and interesting tips. Best wishes from Vienna! Gabriela
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johngayton Apr 5, 2009 at 6:55 AM

OMG Janet! If the mosquitoes don't get you they've got plenty of back-up - but at least I'm old enough to drink ;P
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angiebabe Apr 4, 2009 at 3:06 AM

Xlent new tips-if didnt have aussie snake fear already ingrained into brain I mightve been tromping obliviously around Acrocorinth last yr-or horrors was I still oblivious!?arrivd on Mykonos 530am full of drunk youth just finishg their all nt clubbing...
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Basaic Jan 30, 2009 at 2:03 PM

Great tips and photos