15/08/2023
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August 15: A Greek National Holiday and a Day of Celebration
At the peak of greek summer vacation period, Greeks celebrate the Virgin Mary and the country is transformed into one big church festival.
August 15 is a big day for the Greek Orthodox Church and for the people of Greece, who celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin or Assumption of Mary. It is not regarded as a day of grief, however, but a day of joy and celebration of her divine qualities, as the Church and the people believe that the Mother of Christ did not die, but ascended to Heaven.
The combination of these elements has such a powerful effect that August 15 is not just a national holiday, but is also known as the Easter of the Summer, or the peak of the summer period. It transforms Greece across its entire breadth into one big church festival, as there isn’t a corner of this country or of its many islands that does not have a church or even a humble chapel dedicated to the Greeks’ favorite saint.
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During the days around the 15th of August there are numerous feasts all over Greece and, of course, in Chania too! Feasts, or “PANIGIRIA” are traditional celebrations that take place all over Greece and involve a lot of eating, drinking wine and dancing to traditional tunes. In Chania there are a lot of panigiria throughout the year. Panigiria can be very different from each other in many ways. But what do they have common??? Fantastic atmosphere, delicious Cretan food and specialities, local wine and live Cretan music & dancing
