Monday , May 29 2023
Home / Tag Archives: customs

Tag Archives: customs

7 police and customs officers arrested at Krystallopigi border with Albania

A police major operation at Greece’s Krystallopigi border control check point at the border with Albania has led in the arrest of at least 14 people: seven police and customs officers and seven civilians of Albanian nationality. the operation of the Internal Affairs Unit of the Greek police followed a …

Read More »

Easter 2022: Greeks return home after loads of lamb and booze

With their cholesterol at the usual Easter-high levels thousands of Greeks returned home after a long an relaxing weekend in the countryside or the islands a mass exodus after two years of lockdown and movement restrictions. Ferries and ships docked at full capacity at the ports, intercity buses, airplanes and …

Read More »

Good Friday Epitaphios: Pieces of art with 100,000 pearls

Good Friday is the day of mourning for Orthodox Christians as the Passion Week reaches its peak. Highlight of the day is the Epitaphios procession with the icon of the body of Jesus inside. Typically the icon is a large, embroidered and rich adorned cloth. It is placed inside the …

Read More »

Apokries: The Carnival season revives old customs across Greece

Greece’s Carnival season, the Apokries, reaches its peak over the weekend with the biggest Carnival Parade, the Carnival of Patras, to take place on Sunday. The weekend marks the end of masquerading, eating, drinking and dancing and opens the way for the 40-day fasting until the Greek orthodox Easter. Staring …

Read More »

Xematiasma: 60% of Greeks believe prayers against Evil Eye cure headaches

Got a headache? Why bother with a painkiller? Get a ‘healer’ and get rid of the Evil Eye right away. If the headaches persist you can consult a doctor, but according to 60 percent of Greeks they will first get a ‘xematiasma’ and then seek other solutions to cure themselves. …

Read More »

Martis: The red and white bracelet to welcome spring

Childhood memories revived when I watched short live stream from Serres in Northern Greece this morning. Children in traditional dresses with a red pom pom on white headscarf were singing the Spring Carols. On their wrists all children wore Martis, the bracelet made of red and white string. The name …

Read More »

Good Friday in Greece – Epitafios videos

 It smells lilac today on Good Friday – the day Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. In Greek Orthodox churches, at 12 noon the body of Jesus is taken down from Crucifix and laid to the Tomb; symbolized by the flower-covered Epitafios.  The bell …

Read More »

“Kathari Deytera” – Tradition of Lagana, Sea Food and Kites

Kathari Deytera or Clean Monday marks the end of Carnival and the beginning of the Greek Christian Orthodox Lent – the 40 days fasting until Eastern. What is the best way to celebrate the beginning of Lent? With plenty of Food! Ha! And Kites!   Traditionally the tables are covered with …

Read More »