The 25th of March has a
special meaning to the Greeks. It is a double celebration. As Orthodox
Christians we celebrate the Annunciation of the Theotokos and also our
Independence Day.
Annunciation
This is the day to celebrate the good message that was
given by God's Angel to the Virgin Mary. An Angel came to her, gave her a
lily and told her that she will bring to the world the Son of God, the Savior
of the world.
Independence Day
After 400 years under Turkish
rule, on the 25th of March, 1821, Paleon Patron Germanos, who was a Bishop,
raised the flag of the Greek Revolution. The Greeks all over Greece
started to fight for their freedom and were able, after many years of bloodshed,
to get rid of their conqueror.
This is a national holiday. Schools, banks, businesses are closed for the day. Parades take place everywhere in Greece. The small towns and villages have a parade with the school children, dressed in blue and white, the colors of the Greek flag. Speeches from teachers, mayors or other important people follow the parade along with patriotic poems from the school children. In bigger cities the parade of the school children is followed by the parade of the Greek Armed Forces.
A custom across the country on
this day is to eat crispy, fried Cod fish with garlic
sauce. This has to dowith the Lent before Easter, where no animals or animal
products should be eaten.
Popi Chantzi, Greece
No comments:
Post a Comment