Situated in the far south of the Balkan peninsula, Greece combines the towering mountains of the mainland with over 1400 islands

January 1 New Year’s Day Protochronia Πρωτοχρονιά Also celebrated ecclesiastically as the feast of St. Basil the Great and of the church of Christ. 3

January 6 Epiphany or Theophany Theophaneia Θεοφάνεια 3

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Easter – 41 days Clean Monday or Shrove Monday Kathara Deftera Καθαρά Δευτέρα The first day of Lent.Next: 28 February 2012 3

March 25 Annunciation Evagelismos tis Theotokou Ευαγγελισμός της Θεορόκου Celebration of the Annunciation – when the birth of Christ was announced to the Virgin Mary. 1

Independence Day Eikosti-pempti Martiou

(lit. 25th of March) Εικοστή Πέμπτη Μαρτιου Anniversary of the declaration of the start of Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire, in 1821.

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Easter – 2 days Good Friday Megali Paraskevi Μεγάλη Παρασκευή Next: 6 April 2012 3

moveable Easter Kyriaki tou Pascha Κυριακή του Πάσχα Next: 8 April 2012 *

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Easter + 1 day Easter Monday Deutera tou Pascha Δευτέρα του Πάσχα Next: 9 April 2012 1

May 1 Labor Day Ergatiki Protomagia

(lit. May 1st of the Workers) Εργατική Πρωτομαγιά 2,4

August 15 Assumption or Dormition of the Holy Virgin I Kimisis tis Theotokou Η Κοίμησις της Θεοτόκου The most important celebration of the Virgin Mary 1

October 28 The “Ochi day” ‘To Ochi’ or ‘Imera tou Ochi”

(lit. Day of the “No”) Το Όχι or Ημέρα του Όχι Celebration of the Greek refusal to the Italian ultimatum of 1940. 2

December 25 Christmas Christougenna Χριστούγεννα 1

December 26 Glorifying Mother of God Synaxis Hyperagias Theotokou Marias Σύναξις Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου Μαρίας The religious meaning of the holiday is a coming together to glorify the Theotokos.But in general and in effect the day is considered a holiday because it’s the day after Christmas just like Boxing Day in some Commonwealth countries.