What is Greek Independence Day?
Greek Independence Day, observed on 25 March in Greece and Cyprus, commemorates the beginning of the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule in 1821. In the traditional account, Archbishop Germanos of Patras raised the banner of revolt at the monastery of Agia Lavra on that day, although historians note that the uprising began in several places over the previous weeks, and that the date has a symbolic character. The anniversary is celebrated by the Greek diaspora around the world too. It is one of the two main national holidays of Greece along with Ohi Day.
The date was chosen in part because it is the feast of the Annunciation, the day on which, according to the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would bear Jesus, and so the national and religious feast coincide. It is a major national holiday with school ceremonies, student parades and military parades, and the traditional meal is salt cod, with garlic sauce called skordalia. Children recite poems and wear traditional costumes at school ceremonies, and the flag is displayed everywhere. Local schools prepare for it for weeks.
Why it is observed
The Greek War of Independence lasted from 1821 to 1829, and the Kingdom of Greece was recognised internationally in 1832. The national holiday was fixed on 25 March in the 1830s, when the new state looked for a date that combined revolutionary symbolism with the authority of the Church. The Orthodox Church of Greece and the church in Cyprus keep the Annunciation on the same date, so every year, on the same day, the commemoration of the uprising is paired with a church feast, and fasting rules are relaxed for the eating of fish.
How the date is set
Greek Independence Day is fixed on 25 March. The date also coincides with the Annunciation in the Orthodox and Western calendars.
How it is observed
In Greece and in Cyprus, 25 March is a public holiday. Banks, public offices and schools are closed, and parades are held in the morning in cities and towns, with road closures and crowds. Many shops and restaurants are open, and fish, especially salt cod, is a popular choice for the meal. Because the date is fixed, it can fall on a weekend, and in such cases there is generally no day off in lieu. Pay and time off depend on national law and the contract. Check the programme of parades in your city.
Cyprus