Religious Dates
Many religious celebrations in the Orthodox calendar are related to Saints’ Days. These and other significant religious dates are celebrated by the Greek elders, sometimes adapted to the Australian context.
The Epiphany
The Epiphany (Ta Theofania or Ta Fota) is celebrated on 6 January. It marks the baptism of Christ and is celebrated in Victoria around the waters of Port Phillip Bay. Following church services in local parishes near the Bay, the priest, followed by a procession of the faithful, carries a cross to the sea. On piers in South Melbourne, Frankston and Rye, the cross is thrown into the water in a ritual representing physical and spiritual cleansing. Young men and boys jump into the water to catch the cross. Whoever retrieves it receives the priest’s blessing, and sometimes a gift. It is customary after Epiphany celebrations for the priest to visit parishoners’ homes and bless them with holy water.
Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Presentation of Christ in the Temple is celebrated on 2 February. Forty days after the birth of Christ, it marks the occasion of Mary and Joseph taking their new born baby to the temple, in accordance with Jewish tradition. The custom continues today in the Orthodox Church, with parents taking new born infants to church 40 days after birth.
The Annunciation
The Annunciation (Evangelsimos) is celebrated on 25 March. It coincides with Greek National Independence Day. The Annunciation marks the revelation by Gabriel that Mary would conceive the Son of God. This is one of the Orthodox Church’s major feast days. Because it coincides with Independence Day, it is an even more significant celebration for Greeks, worldwide.
Easter
This is the most important feast of all. See the section Greek Easter.
The Ascension
This celebration takes place 40 days after Easter. It is commemorated with a church service. The Orthodox Church believes that the soul of Christ remained on earth for 40 days before ascending to heaven.
Pentecost
Pentecost (Pentikosti) is the celebration of the founding of the Christian church. It marks the occasion of the Holy Spirit descending to Christ’s disciples. This significant date in the Orthodox Church calendar is celebrated 50 days after Easter.
The Transfiguration of Christ
Celebrated on 6 August, this is a reminder to Christians of the hope for change that Christ embodied. The Transfiguration marks the revelation of Christ’s divine nature to three of his disciples. It falls within the two week fasting period of the Dormition, though fish may be eaten on this day.
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary (Tis Panayias) is the most significant feast day honouring the Virgin Mary. Celebrated on 15 August, the devout prepare for it by fasting for two weeks from 1 August. In Greece it is a public holiday and there are festivals (paniyiria) held in villages and towns across the country.
Falling in the middle of the summer holiday period, many Athenians return to their home towns and villages in rural Greece to celebrate. It is a major occasion, one of the few when the children and grandchildren of the small number of elderly Greeks who remain in rural communities all come together.
Greek Australians continue the tradition with celebrations held in parishes and at home. It is also a very popular name day. The names Mary, Maria, Panayiota, Despina, Panayiotis and Mario are celebrated on the occasion of the Dormition.
The Nativity of the Virgin Mary
This marks Mary’s birthday and is celebrated on 8 September. A special church service is held where songs composed in the Virgin’s honour are sung by the congregation.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This much revered observance is held on 14 September. It honours St Helen’s discovery of the cross. A church service is held and it is a day of strict fasting. The names Stavros and Stavroula (meaning ‘cross’) are celebrated.
Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple
Celebrated on 21 November, the Virgin Mary and her parents are honoured on this day. It commemorates Mary’s presentation, at the age of three, to the temple where she would spend the next 12 years under the guidance of holy teachers. Special church hymns and writings are included in the church service.
Christmas
Celebrated on 25 December, the most devout prepare for Christmas with prayer and fasting over a six week period, commencing 15 November. An early morning church service is held and family gatherings inevitably include sharing a meal.
Greek Australians celebrate Christmas like most other Australians: exchanging gifts, having a BBQ, taking a holiday. Many roast a lamb on a spit for lunch. Those named Christos (Chris), Christine, Emmanuel and Emmanuela celebrate their name day.
In the Greek tradition it is St Basil, and not Santa Claus, who brings gifts to the children. The traditional Christmas sweets are kourambiethes and melomakarona (sweet biscuits). The Greek carols sung by young children in groups going from house to house are called kalanda.
