The 25th of March is a double celebration that unites all Greeks and stimulates the feeling of patriotism and faith, while signaling in our hearts that Easter is approaching.

On this day, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Annunciation (Eu + advert, i.e., "good news") of the virgin Mary, the incarnation of God.

After thousands of years, it is the day that Palaion Patron Germanos chose in 1821 to bless in the Monastery of Agia Lavra in Kalavryta the banner of the Greek Revolution. After 400 years, the Greeks organized themselves into a unified movement of resistance against Ottoman slavery.

Have you ever wondered though, why do we follow the customs of this day? What is their significance? Why do we eat cod and garlic sauce?

Apart from the parades, there is a great diversity in terms of the customs of this day, where many places in Greece have their own unique way to celebrate their faith and freedom.

The team of INVESTA Real Estate - Real Estate Larissa gathered for you some customs of March 25th in Greece.

Why do we eat cod?

The custom for the 25th of March wants the family table to offer cod accompanied by garlic sauce.

The explanation for this taste habit is quite simple and has to do mainly with the inability of the inhabitants of the hinterland to procure fresh fish directly and economically.

Despite the fact that cod is not a "Greek" fish, as it is found mainly on the coasts of the northeastern Atlantic, the fact that it is salted makes it a cheap and easy to maintain food.

Cod arrived at the Greek table around the 15th century and was immediately established as the national food of March 25, as with the exception of our islands, fresh fish was a luxury for the poor inhabitants of mainland Greece.

Thus, salted cod, which did not need special maintenance, was the easy and cheap solution at the same time, a custom that lasts until today.

Vangelistra

In the village of Faraklata in Kefalonia, the day before people went to the church with a shopping cart, in which they placed four small breads, a large bread, a bottle of oil and a bottle of wine to worship. After the end of the divine liturgy, they took back the great bread. Which they cut into pieces and distributed to the faithful.

When the vespers were completed, the vigil took place, where the residents brought gunpowder from Morea and threw fireworks.

At dawn they took out a litany the icon of Vangelistra throughout the village accompanied by the Philharmonic of Argostoli, while in recent years the litany takes place in the afternoon of March 25th.

In addition, on this particular day it was forbidden for residents of Kefalonia to put flowers or greens in their house. Because next year they will find a snake in it, always according to folk tradition.

Kalavryta

In Kalavryta, a trisagion takes place at the Panhellenic Memorial of the Fighters of 1821. As in all of Greece, wreaths are laid, a minute's silence is observed in memory of the glorious heroes, the National Anthem is recoiled, thanksgiving in the courtyard of the historic Church of the Monastery of Agia Lavra and the recitation of a festive speech. Particularly impressive, however, is the representation of the swearing-in of the fighters and the declaration of the Revolution by the theatrical group of Kalavryta.

On the 24th of the month the abbot of the monastery is customary to hand over the banner of the revolution and a laurel wreath to the first laurel-runner, to be transferred to Patras for the coronation of the statue of Paleon Patron Germanos and on the 25th to be returned.

Tinos

On the eve of March 25, solemn vespers are sung and at night there is a vigil and a request. On the day of the Annunciation, a Pontifical Liturgy is celebrated and then a procession of the Holy Icon and a prayer on the beach. Also noteworthy is the general bell ringing of all temples.

The feast of the Annunciation is one of the main festivals of Panagia of Tinos, where there are four in total. Another custom of Tinos is the "pancake", a celebration where the locals set up outdoor stalls with food.