National & Religious Holidays in Greece & the Island of Zakynthos

January 1 New Year's Day in Greek "Protochronia" is also the name day of Saint Vasiilis (Greek Father Christmas)

The Greek custom on this day is to slice the Vassilopita (New Year's Day Cake) and the person who gets the slice with the hidden coin supposable has good luck for the whole year.

January 6  Epiphany in Greek "Ta Fota" (the lights)

The Greek custom on this day is Blessing of the waters, a cross is thrown into the water and the first swimmer who finds and retrieves the cross has good luck.

Late February or Early March (depending on when Easter falls)  "Clean Monday" in Greek "Kathari Deftera" falls 40 days before Easter and marks the first day of lent and follows a three week carnival (know as the "Carnivalli" in Greece) which is similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

March 25  Greek Independence Day in Greek "Evangelismos"

Anytime from Late March to Early May in 2006 Easter Sunday in Greek Easter is called "Pasha" falls on April 23rd (one week after "Western" Europeans Easter)   Good Friday in Greek "Megali Paraskevi" falls on April 21st.

May 1 May Day and Labor Day in Greek "Protomaya"  the custom is for family & friends to go out into the countryside for picnics and to pick wild flowers.

August 15  Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Greek "Panegia" - this is the 2nd biggest religious holiday and day after Easter Sunday in Greece

August 24 The anniversary day of Saint Dionysios and celebrated in Zakynthos with a festival and one week of open air markets.

October 28 "Ohi Day" meaning "No" - Celebration of Greek Prime Minister Metaxas refusal to succumb to Mussolini's expansionist moves in 1940 - celebrated nation wide with military & school parades.

December 17th  Name day of Saint Dionysios who is the patron saint of Zakynthos.

December 25th Christmas Day in Greek "Christouyena"

In Greece each church is devoted to a particular saint and each Island its own patron Saint, in Zakynthos it is Dionysios (Dennis).  On a saint's name day in Greece people with the same name as the saint celebrate their name day in the same way as we celebrate our birthdays, friends and family bring gifts (generally cakes & flowers) to the person also on this day.