The Importance of Family

In Greece, when you say "family," you don't just mention your mom, dad, and brother. Family means everyone, grandma, grandad, cousins, aunts, uncles...EVERYONE! Greeks who live in rural areas usually live with their parents and grandparents if their grandparents are older. They work and live together. Even after their children grow up and get married, they always come back for holidays and celebrations. This is not very common in America, I hear. But familes still do come back for the holidays. When Greeks meet other Greeks, they usually ask where they are from to see if they may have relatives from that area. Back in the old days, Greek women were responsible for their house, basically stay-at-home moms. Now in this time and day, Greek women are entering the profession of business. Family is important in Greece.

Greek Holidays!

On January 1st, we celebrate the Feast of St. Basil. It is basically celebrating the New Year like Americans. February 14th is the day of Saint Valentina. Clean Monday or Katheri Deftera 40 days before Easter, marks the first day of lent and it is customary to go out in the country and fly paper kites, which is in March. March 25th Independence Day. The Greek National Anniversary celebrates Greece's victory in the war of Independence against the Turks. On Good Friday, people carry candles and follow the procession of the Epitaph. Easter Sunday is the biggest church holiday in Greece. One unique tradition on Easter Sunday is that red eggs are cracked against each other and the person with the last remaining uncracked egg will have good luck. June 21st is European music day and the summer solstice, the longest day of summer. In Athens, there are lives show in every town. The 24th of December is Christmas Eve and young children walk around singing carols on trains, buses and neighborhoods. The 25th is the name day for Cristos, Christmas in America. As you can see, we have many different holidays. I didn't even list half of them!