Calentar Greece 2013

1. Calendar
2nd Technical-Vocational High School of Serres
2ο ΕΠΑ.Λ. ΢ΕΡΡΩΝ

2. January 2013
Jan 01 : New Year’s Day
New Year's
Day is the
first day of
the year and
St. Basil's day.
The people in
Greece
exchange
gifts. The
presents are delivered by Saint Basil
(Agios Vasilis). Agios Vasilis is the Greek Santa Claus.
On the first day of the year we cut the “basilopita”, a sweet pie that has a
coin inside, in pieces, one for each family member. Whoever wins the coin is
the lucky of the year. The first coming in the New Year at home does the
"podariko", first step, and break a pomegranate for luck.
January 6 : Theophany
People in Greece celebrate Epiphany. Epiphany celebrates Jesus's baptism
when he was a man. It's also known as 'The Blessing of the Waters'. There
are many event throughout the country where young men dive into really
cold lakes, rivers and sea to try to be first to get a cross which has been
blessed by a priest and thrown into the water. Whoever gets the cross first is
meant to have good luck during the coming year.
January 30 :
we celebrate the three protectors of literature
and students, Chrysostom, Basil and Gregory.
Schools remain closed.

3. February 2013
Feb 14 : Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. It is a festival of romantic love and
many people give cards, letters, flowers or presents to their spouse or partner.
From February 25 begin Carnival

4. March 2013
Mar 1 :
On March 1st the children
put a small bracelet made
of white and red thread (the "March")around
their wrist to prevent the tan from the sun
Mar 7 : Tsiknopempti
It is the "Grilling Day" or "Meat day" which is prior to
long Easter fast. Tsiknopempti is part of the traditional
celebrations. It is on Thursday. –City and town
governments set up grills in central squares,
musicians stroll around
playing traditional instruments, and great
quantities of roasted meats are consumed in
the midst of the Carnival atmosphere.
Mar 18 : Ash Monday
It is the first day of the Eastern Orthodox
Christian Lent. It is a public holiday in Greece, a
day when families go to the countryside and
beaches for picnics and kite-flying. All Greeks enjoy the traditional
food of the day, including lagana, special bread that is eaten only on
this day, prawns and octopus, cabbage leaves stuffed with rise, and
halva with semolina.
Mar 25 : National holiday
The March 25 is a national holiday and is celebrated
with parades. Schools remain closed

5. April 2013
April 1 :
On April 1st (April Fool’s day) people tell
little innocent lies to fool the others
April 28
On April 28th Easter holidays start for the students which last for 15
days

6. May 2013
May 1: Labor Day / May Day
It is associated with the celebration of spring. It
is also a national holiday for workers in many
countries around the world. we also celebrate
mayday picking flowers and making wreaths
May 5:
On May 5 is Easter
May 13:
On Sunday, May 13 is Mother's Day and we offer flowers to her

7. June 2013
June 1:
Exams begin for university and school and last
until the end of the month.
June 5:
World Environment Day
June 24:
We celebrate the Holy Spirit (religious celebration),
symbolized by the pigeon. Schools remain closed
June 29:
On June 29 is a local celebration of Serres,
celebrated with a parade of students and
soldiers. Schools remain closed.

8. July 2013
Holidays begin and last until the end of August. Schools close

9. August 2013
August 15:
August 15 is the third most important religious holiday in Greece
after Easter and Christmas. This day is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The day of Her Assumption.
Churches and monasteries dedicated to the Virgin Mary welcome
visitors to brilliant festivities.

10. September 2013
September 11
On September 11 schools begin

11. October 2013
October 28
The October 28th is a national holiday and is celebrated with
parades. Schools remain closed

12. November 2013
On November 17 we celebrate the uprising at the Polytechnic
of Athens for the restoration of democracy in the country
A Day of Honor and Remembrance.

13. December 2013
December 18
On December 18, Christmas
holidays begin, and last for 15
days. We decorate trees, make
various pastries, including
melomakarona, sugar buns etc.
December 24
On Christmas Eve,
children, go out singing
'kalanda' (carols) in the
streets.
December 25
Christmas