Greek christmas january 7

The History of Christmas in Greece

Christmas in Greece is a time of joy and celebration. Dating back to 354 AD, when the birth of Jesus was declared to be celebrated on December 25th, it has become one of the most important holidays for Greeks.

On Christmas Eve, families gather together to enjoy festive meals and share carols called “Kalanta” – one for Christmas Eve, one for New Year’s Eve, and one for Epiphany. In ancient Athens, the festival of Kronia used to  take place on the 12th day of Hekatombaion and coincides with Christmas celebrations.

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The main symbol associated with this holiday is the “Karavaki” – a decorated boat that symbolizes a Greek maritime culture. On December 24th, kalanda begin to be sung throughout Greece in anticipation of Christmas Day. This day marks the beginning of many traditions associated with this special holiday including family gatherings and church services.

Ultimately, Christmas in Greece is all about celebrating family traditions while embracing its long-standing religious history as well.

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