If you are in Greece on August 15th, you are in for a treat! It’s a very special day for the Greek people and the Greek Orthodox Church. This national holiday dedicated to the Dormition of Virgin Mary celebrates Mary’s death and her burial before rising to Heaven. Rather than it being a day of mourning and grief, Mary’s life and qualities are celebrated on the 15th of August.
August 15th is one of the biggest celebrations in Orthodox Christianity (besides Easter). Thousands of pilgrims make use of the numerous shrines dedicated to “Her Grace,” Virgin Mary. Special church services are held in the morning at churches named after The Mother of Jesus Christ, and there are processions with icons of Mary afterwards.
This holiday is one of the most important feasts in the Greek Orthodox Church, so getting together with family and eating a lot of food is a big part of the religious celebration. Traditionally, the Greek Orthodox fast for weeks leading up to a religious holiday like this, abstaining from meat, dairy products, fish with backbones and alcohol, eating an almost vegan diet to cleanse the body for communion.
August 15th is also the name day celebration for Maria, as well as names like Marios, Panagiotis, Panagiota and Despina. With 8% of the population having the name Maria, or variations of the name, it goes without saying that the celebration on this day is heightened.
August 15th marks the peak of the Greek summer season. Most shops, supermarkets and service businesses are closed on the day. You will find many restaurants open though, as many families go out to eat because they are on holiday. In some places, celebrations begin on the 14th and you might find shops and businesses closed from then.
In Athens, a lot of the tourist shops stay open, public transport runs, there are still taxis about, and some of the museums actually stay open as well, so you won’t miss out on your sightseeing if you are on vacation in Athens.
There is a mass general exodus from Athens to the islands and seaside villages in August. The lucky people take up to the whole month off, but most take at least one to two, if not three weeks off.
Celebrations in Greece take place all over the country, with some standout celebrations in particular parts of Greece, like Tinos, Paros, Amorgos, Serifos, Naxos, Andros, Lesvos, and Ikaria… just to name a few.
There isn’t a corner of this country or of its many islands that does not have a church or even a humble chapel dedicated to the Greeks’ favorite saint.
So, if you find yourself in Greece on August 15th, make your way to a church in the morning to witness the service and then to a taverna to celebrate in the afternoon! And, if you’re in the mood to celebrate all night, Greek dancing and live music are easily found!
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