Greek Traditions

The traditions in Greece arise either out of a religious nature or out of paganism. However, most of the traditions still practiced today arise out of the Greeks’ religion. A large amount of Greek peoples today are very superstitious and hold strongly to their religion and also believe in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon. The traditions vary from island to island and region to region. Below are a few Greece traditions and superstitions still honored today by the Greeks.   

 

·        Name day celebration: This day is more important in Greece than birthdays are. Most of the people of Greece have names derived from a religious saint. A primary Greek tradition followed throughout the whole country is that everyone who has a name derived from a saint celebrated by the church, celebrate the day of this name. On the “name day”, friends and family will visit the particular Greek who is celebrating and offer their wishes and bestow presents. The hostess of the house provides food such as hors d’oeuvres to the guests.

·        Carnival: The carnival in Greece is called “Apokries” and lasts two weeks. It begins on the Sunday of Meat Fare and concludes with “Clean Monday”, the start of Lent. The carnival consists of feasts, costumes, and parties in the streets and bars. The most popular Carnival parade occurs in the city of Patra. This tradition is thought to have come from paganism as the ancient Greeks would throw festivities in honor of their god of wine and feast, Dionysus. 

·        Greek Independence Day: This celebration is in honor of Greece’s liberation from the control of the Ottoman Empire on March 25, 1821. On October 28 of each year, the Greeks celebrate this day by putting a Greek flag on their windows.

·        Bread: Greeks who live in the villages believe that bread is a gift of God. When visiting, tourists will observe older women blessing the bread and making the sign of the cross before cutting it with a knife. 

·        Knives: Greeks never hand knives to others who may ask for one. They believe that if they do, they will eventually fight with that person. Instead, they lay the knife on the table for the other person to pick it up.