There is nothing quite like the experience of living in Greece, the way of life here is as unique as the people. The country's history as well as its vast geographical differences, from the depths of the azure sea to the highest snow covered peaks, make it one of the most exciting countries in Europe. Grab the opportunity and visit as many places as possible, because, contrary to the rumor, one island is not identical to the next. Every island has very individual characteristics and mainland Greece has many incredible sites to offer. Living here and adjusting to the rhythm of life and the challenges faced by the language and cultural differences can take time. We hope that by offering you this service we can ease and lessen your adjustment period. Have a good stay whether for a limited period or longer. Live life here to the full, enjoy the wonderful things Greece has to offer and play down the more difficult times as you would at home. Below are a few tips on the way of life that may be helpful to know. If you need more information, do not hesitate to phone or e-mail us.

Greeks generally are very hospitable, and as a nation they speak many languages. English is spoken by most of the population of Athens and in all tourist resorts. If you travel just a short distance outside of Athens, you will find yourself in the countryside and will be pleasantly surprised by the relaxed attitude of the people, "αύριο, αύριο" (tomorrow, tomorrow). Athens used to be like this, but has become more hectic and stressed in recent years. The plumber still may not be on time, but at least he will come on the correct day! Until recently only one in five families owned a car, now nearly all families own at least two - hence chaos on the roads. (see transportation). Tempers can become frayed and a lot of shouting and gesturing occurs. The Greeks tend to speak rather loudly (it sounds as if they are shouting at each other) and with animation; this is sometimes an argument but more than likely just a friendly debate or two friends chatting. Greeks use hand gestures constantly when talking, driving etc.

ETIQUETTE: It is a general rule to take a small gift such as sweets, cakes or flowers when visiting a person's house for the first time. Athenians generally dress up when going out to dinner or to a gathering at somebody's house. If invited to a private home for dinner, be prepared to be received quite formally.

WEDDINGS: Greek society and culture is dominated by the Greek Orthodox Church. Over 90% of all Greeks are baptized Orthodox and the Church has a very strong influence on all aspects of modern Greek life. Other religions such as Muslim, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish etc are very much in the minority. Greek Orthodox weddings are held in the late afternoon or evening and are usually followed by a reception of some kind. Weddings are another occasion to get dressed up;
men normally wear a suit and women a cocktail or long dress. Hats are not generally worn at weddings. Guests are all expected to line up after a wedding and congratulate the newly married couple and their families (Να ζίσετε - na zisete - live well, is the most common greeting). Guests are also given 'bonbonnieres' (sugared almonds), usually in elaborate net packets, to take away as a reminder of the occasion.

CHRISTENINGS: Christenings are also very important occasions. Many babies are not called by their names until after their christening, which in Greece usually takes place when the baby is about 8 - 14 months old. Greeks generally prefer to baptize their children in the summer months between May and October. The ceremony usually takes place at the weekend and is followed by a reception of some kind. In the Orthodox ceremony the baby's whole body is submerged in the water (one reason for preferring warmer summer weather); this is usually followed by loud screams. The Godparent/s play an important role in Orthodox christenings and they provide lavish clothes and a gold cross for the baby. As at weddings, guests line up after the ceremony to congratulate the parents and Godparents and to welcome the baby into the Orthodox religion. At this time guests are given 'bonbonnieres' with a small gift/toy of some kind attached and a small cake usually with the baby's name written on it.

NAME DAYS: Greeks are baptized according to the name of a Saint and they celebrate on the day that that particular Saint is commemorated. It is polite to phone someone who is celebrating their name day and to wish them "Κρόνια πολλά" (kronia polla - many more years).

Saints' name days are celebrated throughout the year; anyone who has that particular Saint's name celebrates by inviting friends to their house or out somewhere. If invited to a Name Day celebration, it is customary to take flowers, sweets/cake or a small gift. There are so many Saints days in the Greek Orthodox calendar that even the Greeks don't remember the more obscure ones. Churches also celebrate the name day of their Patron Saint. Stalls are set up on the streets next to the
Church selling trinkets and other goods the evening before the name day and on the day. Some of the main name days
are listed under important dates.

1st: Feast of Saint Basil Vassilis(m) and Vassilissas(f) celebrate. On this day, holy water is brought home from the church and the house is blessed by sprinkling water with a sprig of Basil in every room. Greek families cut a New Year's cake in which a small coin has been hidden. Whoever gets the slice with the coin or token in it will have luck throughout the coming year. This cake cutting ceremony is also carried out in offices and clubs in January.

6th: Feast of the Epiphany. Theofania. Name day of Photis, Photini, Theofanis and Theofani. The seas around Greece are blessed on this day. After the church services, it is traditional for the priest to throw a crucifix into the sea, lake, reservoir etc, to bless the water. Locals will then dive into the water to retrieve the crucifix (in general there is a string tied to it as the water at this time of year is very cold - the divers can't spend hours searching for it!). You will be able to see this ceremony at many marinas, ports etc.

7th: Feast of Saint John. Yiannis (m) and Yioanna (f) celebrate. Greek schools always begin classes again on the first school day following the feast of St John.

30th: Trion Ierarhon, (Three Hierarchies - Basileos, Gregoris, Ioannis) Greek School Holiday in recognition of the enormous role that these men played in the teaching of Christianity and Greek philosophy and literature in the 4th century. (international schools generally remain open).

The last Thursday before Lent starts is called "Tsikno Pempti" (sizzling Thursday), referring to the sound made by the grilling of the meat traditionally eaten on this day. Tables at meat tavernas are hard to find. In the southern suburbs, 'Ta Vlakika' (on the Vari road) is famous for its' meat tavernas and is very popular.

25th: Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation.
This is an important national and religious holiday and the name day of Evangelos and Evangelia. The Church celebrates the Angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah.

Although the 25th March is not the exact date that the Greek uprising against Ottoman rule began, it was decreed that the struggle should be commemorated on this day because of the religious significance of the holiday and the fact that events began around that time of year when Bishop Germanos of St Laura's monastery raised the Greek flag in 1821; complete independence was not gained until 1829. There is a military parade in Thessalonika on this day (Athens holds one on 28th
October).

Spring is probably the nicest season in Greece, if not somewhat unpredictable. It can be sunny and warm one day, rainy and chilly the next and snow can often be found on the mountains. The countryside becomes alive with colour as all the wild flowers and the blossom bloom. Gardens are turned into a mass of colour and the perfume of roses and freesias fills the air (a nice change from fumes).

EASTER

Easter usually falls in April or occasionally the first weekend in May, and coincides with the Western Easter every four years. It is the largest celebration in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Many Greeks fast for the 49 day period of Lent leading up to Easter, so it is wise to check before inviting anyone to dinner. Even the fast food restaurants have caught on to the Greek fast and, so as not to lose customers, they now offer special menus during Lent.

Palm Sunday Ton Vayion Palm Sunday is the last Sunday before Easter and commemorates Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, when the multitude strewed the way with palm leaves, after the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. Churches are decorated with palm branches and olive leaves and small commemorative crosses made from palm leaves are given to parishioners on leaving church.

The only Greek Orthodox holiday calculated according to the Julian calendar, eleven days before the Gregorian.

Megali Deftera (Holy Monday).
Most people who have not fasted during Lent make a token effort this week and start today .

Megali Triti (Holy Tuesday).
Scriptures read in church refer to Mary Magdalene. Traditionally houses and walls are painted white.

Megali Tetarti (Holy Wednesday).
Holy oil is brought back from the church and used to bless the household using sprigs of Basil.

Megali Pempti (Holy Thursday).
Gospels refer to the last supper and Holy Communion is taken.
In the home eggs are hard boiled and dyed red, symbolising the blood of Christ, the egg is said to represent the rebirth.

Other reasons have been given for dying the eggs - folklore has it that after Christ rose, Mary met a woman carrying a basket of eggs and told her that Christ had risen, the woman did not believe Mary and said she would only believe if the eggs turned red, which they did, hence the symbolisation for dying the eggs. Another more practical reason given is that during Lent eggs where not eaten and, therefore, in order for them not to go to waste they were dyed red to celebrate the resurrection, this also kept the eggs fresh, theoretically by sealing the pores in the shells until they were eaten.

Once these eggs have been dyed, they are used as Easter decorations and placed in baskets on the Easter table. It is traditional for family and guests to each take an egg and to bang (tchougresoun) them together at the Easter dinner, the last egg to remain unbroken wins. With the banging of eggs come the words "Christos Anesti", which means Christ has risen, the other person replies "Alithos Anesti", meaning He truly is risen. The same words are said when raising and touching glasses during the celebrations.

As well as dying eggs, housewives also bake a special brioche or Easter bread known as 'tsoureki' and biscuits called "koulorakia'. These specialities can also be bought in local bakeries and supermarkets.

Megali Paraskevi (Good Friday).
In the morning all shops are kept shut, they reopen after midday. The church bells toll the death knell all day. During the day, the women of the parish decorate the Epitaphios with flowers (the bier that Jesus was carried on). This shrine is taken out of the churches in the evening and paraded around the streets; the congregation follow behind holding candles and singing hymns. The Epitaphios is eventually returned back to the church, where the people pass underneath it into the church.

Megalo Savatto (Easter Saturday).
The formal Easter service begins at about 10:30 pm but many of the congregation arrive around 11:30 pm for the celebration
of the Resurrection known as the Anastasi. Just before midnight the church lights are dimmed symbolizing Christ's death. The priest then brings out the Holy Flame (this has been specially brought from Jerusalem - every year the Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the cave in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre without matches and miraculously lights the Pascal candle - this flame is then distributed to all the Greek Orthodox churches). The Flame is passed to the congregation who light their 'lambadas' (ornate candles, the children's lambadas are traditionally given by their godparents). The Priest and the congregation then leave the Church and the Gospel is read outside after which the Priest chants Christos Anesti (Christ is risen) and the congregation join in. Church bells ringing and fireworks can be heard everywhere after midnight. (If you have animals it is probably wise to keep them in). Although the Church service continues back inside the Church, most people leave at this point and return home with their candles still alight so as to draw a cross with the smoke on their doorframe thereby blessing their house.

Families celebrate in their homes after church and a meal is served to break the Lenten Fast. The main dish is a soup made from lamb's offal called, Mayeritsa, and this soup is followed by a meat dish.

Paska Easter Sunday
This is generally a family day. Traditionally lamb or goat is roasted on a spit over an open fire. From early morning Greek music can be heard as people start cooking their lamb and the smell of charcoal is everywhere. Nowadays motorized spits are used to keep the lamb turning but in many places you will still see members of the family taking it in turns to slowly turn the spit manually. Singing and dancing continue throughout the day.

EASTER MONDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Easter is a good time to visit Islands. Many have special traditions and Greece really is at its best at this time of year before the summer crowds descend. Be sure to book accommodation as many Greeks take the opportunity to leave the cities and go to their village of origin for Easter. The roads can get busy and it is advisable, if possible, not to travel on Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday or Tuesday. Plane or boat tickets should also be booked in advance. Return boat tickets should be purchased immediately on arrival at your destination to avoid getting stuck!

50 days after Easter is the celebration of Agiou Pnevmatos (Holy Spirit) Pentecost. It is a public holiday. Whit Monday.

1st: Public Holiday. It is traditional to collect flowers, either wild or from the garden, and make spring wreathes to hang outside the front door or on the balcony railings. Nowadays readymade wreaths can be bought if preferred. This is a celebration of spring.

Flower shows are held throughout the month of May, the two main ones are in Kiffissia and next to Varkiza's public beach.
At these events you can walk around and admire the beautiful blooms but you can also purchase flowers, shrubs, trees, pots, etc.

21st: Konstandinos, Konstandina and Eleni celebrate their name day. One of the biggest name days in Greece. Do not be surprised if your telephone line is jammed on this day - people are calling to wish their friends and family well and the system cannot cope with it!!

Beach weather, but be very careful don't go out if possible between 13.00 - 16.00. Wear sun protection always. Kids must have hats, T-shirts, sunscreen and if possible good sunglasses. The sun is very strong and sunburn painful, remember you are not a tourist now and this weather is unlikely to change until October!! Be careful when out in the countryside, forest fires in these parts are easily started, spread very rapidly and hard to extinguish; every year vast areas of forest and mountain side etc are destroyed through carelessness. If you see smoke or what you think may be the start of a fire call the fire brigade immediately.199.

20th: St Elias - name day of Elias - common name in Greece

Athens becomes a ghost town. Shops shut and businesses close as most Athenians head off to their
villages to avoid the August heat.

15th: Feast of the Assumption Kimisi tis Theotokou. Panageias day or St Mary's day. When Mary died, Christ assumed her soul to heaven. Major Orthodox Feast day. National Holiday. Many Greeks fast for 15 days before the Feast of the Assumption and receive Holy Communion on this day. Pilgrims also go to the Island of Tinos where an icon that is said to be miraculous is kept at the Greek Orthodox Panagia Church, (Church of the Virgin Mary). Name day of Maria, Mary, Panagiotis, Panagiota , Despina and other derivatives of Mary.

30th: St Alexander - name day of Alexandros and Alexandra

28th: National Holiday. Oxi Day. Commemorates the day that the Greeks rejected Mussolini's ultimatum to Greece in 1940. Military parade in central Athens. Elsewhere school children and adults parade to honour their country. Local authorities organize events and the parades usually start at approximately 11.00. To be sure of a good spot be there about 30 min before. Main military parade and fly past takes place in Athens slightly later, in front of the Parliament building in Syntagma Square. All roads around this area are closed off, do not drive into Athens. Nearest metro Syntagma.

17th: School holiday (Greek schools not international schools). Public offices close early to commemorate the Polytechnic students who resisted the military Junta and who died when the Junta (dictators) ordered tanks into the university campus in 1973. The events of 17th November 1973 led to the downfall of the Junta and to the restoration of democracy in Greece. Every year wreaths are laid at a ceremony in the Polytechnic grounds where there is a memorial to the students. Unfortunately this annual event is usually followed by protest marches that are taken over by anarchists. Riot police are on hand but it is advisable not to go down to Athens on this day.

25th: Feast of St Katherine. Katerinas celebrate their name day.

30th: Feast of St Andrew. Andreas celebrate their name day.

6th: Feast of St Nicholas Nicholas celebrate their name day.

12th: Feast of St Spyridon Spyros celebrate their name day. Holiday for all schools and public offices in Piraeus.

25th/26th: Public Holiday. Christmas. Greeks celebrate Christmas with family, traditional food is turkey with rice, mincemeat or chestnut stuffing. Traditional sweets are korabiedes, an almond type of biscuit covered in icing sugar and melomakarona which are very sweet biscuits soaked in honey syrup and topped with chopped almonds.

In Greece, Agios Vassilis or Father Christmas traditionally did not come until New Years Eve, so the children had to wait for New Year's Day to open their presents. Today, due to outside influence, many now exchange their gifts on Christmas Day. You may see boats decorated, this is a Greek tradition and it is only recently that Christmas trees have hit the scene.

Shops are open all day every day including Saturday and Sunday in the week leading up to Christmas.

At this time of year Greeks play cards and roulette. Every house has a deck or more of playing cards and friends are invited round to join the game, these games usually wind up in the early hours of the morning.
Casinos are also popular at this time of year.

25th: Christos, Christoforos and Christinas celebrate their name day.

26th: Emmanuel (Manolis) and Emmanuella celebrate their name day.

31st: New Year's Eve This is not a public holiday but many offices etc close early.