The 25th of March: A Day of Celebration for Greece

March 25th holds great significance for Greece as it is both a national holiday and a day of celebration. It is unique in being a double celebration: marking the start of the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman Empire and commemorating the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary as a religious holiday.

Customs of the Day

March 25th is celebrated with parades, traditional food, and various festivities.

School and Military Parades

In every municipality across the country, students from all schools participate in parades along the main street of each city. They wear uniforms in specific colors—white and blue or black—and some schools opt for traditional attire. One student from the final grade of each educational level is selected based on academic performance and honored with carrying the Greek flag.

In Athens, a combined student and military parade takes place in the city center, attracting large crowds to witness the chariot displays. Streets prepared for parades are adorned with small Greek flags, and many people display the national flag on their balconies.

Traditional Food: Cod with Garlic

March 25th is a public holiday, with catering establishments being the only businesses open. People typically go out to enjoy coffee and meals, and the traditional dish for the day is fried cod with garlic. Garlic is served as a sauce, made either from garlic and potatoes or garlic and bread. Cod became part of Greek cuisine around the 15th century, as fresh fish was difficult to access in mainland Greece, except on the islands. Salted cod, requiring minimal preservation, became a practical and inexpensive alternative. You can find the recipe here.

Name Day Celebrations

This day is dedicated to individuals named Evangelos and Evangelia, whose names originate from the Greek word Ευαγγέλιο meaning “good news.” Variations like Vangelis and Litsa, as well as Eva or Lia, also celebrate their name days on March 25th.