Greek Traditions

Greece is a country of powerful traditions and superstitions. Many of their customs and traditions have roots in the Greek Christian Orthodox religion, while others took root during the time of the Greek gods. The church plays a very important role in the daily lives of the Greeks. Religion and traditions go hand in hand, while the Greeks are also very superstitious. Bread is considered a gift from God and instead of Friday the 13th being bad luck, they have Tuesday the 13th.

A tradition that is celebrated is called Clean Monday. It is the first day of the Lent season and to celebrate, families go on picnics and enjoy themselves. Lent is a season that lasts forty weekdays from Ash Wednesday up until Easter. During this season, people fast, during which no animal products are eaten with a very few exceptions. Easter is considered one of the most important religious holidays to the Greeks, and the celebrations last for an entire week.

Another tradition that is observed in Greece is when children are born and the parents pick out a name for them. Most children are named after one of their grandparents. The name is not used by anyone until after they are baptized. Up until baptism, they are just called "baby".

Greek Independence Day is another tradition and a day of great celebration. March 25th, 1821 is marked as the day of Greece's emancipation from the Ottoman domination. Although this day falls within the Lent period, the church does allow fish and seafood to be eaten because of the celebration of Liberty.