Traditions of the Greeks

The Greek have many traditions and customs, many of which have derived from a religious tradition or paganism. Depending on which island of Greece you’re on, the traditions and customs vary. Beliefs in supernatural and paranormal phenomenon are strong among Greeks.

There are so many Greek customs, too many to mention them all, but here are a few of the more well known traditional festivals that are still practiced today. Easter is one of the most celebrated of holidays of Greek traditions. Celebration for Easter starts two months prior to the actual day, beginning with the Mardi Gras were everyone dresses in costumes. The carnival continues for two weeks with parades and feasting and drinking, beginning and ending on a Sunday. The following Monday is known as clean Monday and is the first day of Lent. Easter is celebrated by gathering for church services on a Saturday evening. Everyone carries an unlit candle to be lit one by one at midnight representing the rise of Christ.

On Easter Sunday, family and friends gather to eat a traditional meal of lamb and red Easter eggs. Baptism is a very important tradition for the Greeks. It takes place during the first year of a baby’s birth. The baby is immersed three times in water that olive oil, (brought by the grandparents), has been added to. At this time the baby is given its, name which is usually that of its grandmother or grandfather. Until the day of baptism, the baby has no name and is referred to as baby only.
Some of the traditions seem very silly to those that don’t know the tales behind them, of which some date back many generations.