Greek Name Days and Holidays in Greece

Greek Holidays

During national holidays in Greece, it is customary for shops and public services to be closed. However, for basic necessities, there is always at least one pharmacy open in every town and city, ensuring access to essential health care. In addition, tourists visiting Greece will find it convenient to know that tourist shops and mini-markets are likely to be open, especially in areas frequented by visitors. These establishments cater to the needs of travellers and offer a range of items and souvenirs, even during these public holidays.

January 1: New Year’s Day
January 6: Epiphany
March 25: Independence Day, read about the History of the Independence War in Greece or view photos from the Parade on Independence day in Heraklion, Crete
Easter, find Easter dates for this or future years and read about Greek Orthodox Easter in Crete
May 1 Flower Festival & Labor Day
August 15: Assumption Day
October 28: Ohi Day
December 25: Christmas
December 26: Boxing Day

Greek Name Days

According to Greek Orthodox tradition, every day of the year is dedicated to a Christian saint or martyr. January 7 for example, is the day of Saint John the Baptist and it is the name day for all greek people named Yannis (or Ioannis = John, male) or Yanna (or Ioanna, female). A person’s Name Day is considered more important than the same person’s Birthday and it is always celebrated in Greece.

How do Greek people celebrate their name days

If a friend of yours has his name day, then you should give him a call and wish him “Hronia Polla”. If this is translated, then it means “Many Years” and it is a wish for good health and prosperity. You should ask him if he will accept visits at his house.

For birthday parties people invite their friends to their house for a drink or a birthday party but for name days this does not apply. It is up to you to visit your friend and wish him for his nameday. Bringing a gift is necessary. Flowers or liquor are ok, as well as books, music CDs or something more personal.

It is also possible that your friend will invite you to a tavern or a bar on his nameday. A gift is welcome in this case too.

List of the most important Name Days in Greece:

January 1 – New Year’s Day – Vasileios (Vasilis) – Vaso
January 6 – Theofania (Epiphany) – Fotis, Fotoula
January 7 – Ioannis – Ioanna or Yannis – Yanna
January 10 – Grigorios
January 11 – Theodosios
January 17 – Antonios
January 18 – Athanasios& Kurillos
January 20 – Eythimios
January 26 – Xenofontas

February 1 – Trifonas
February 8 – Zaharias
February 9 – Nikiforos
February 10 – Charalampos or Mpampis
February 17 – Theodoros

March 1 – Eudokia
March 16 – Xristodoulos
March 21 – Iakovos
March 25, Annunciation Day – Evangelos or Vangelis, Evangelia or Vangelio or Eva

April 23 – Georgios (Yorgos) – Georgia. If this name day is during the Easter Lent, then it is moved to the second day after Easter.

May 4 – Pelagia
May 5 – Eirini
May 9 – Christoforos
May 10 – Simonos
May 21 – Kostas (Konstantinos), Eleni

June 8 – Kalliopi
June 29 – Petros, Pavlos

July 1 – Kosmas, Damianos
July 3 – Iakinthos (the Cretan Saint Valentine)
July 7 – Kiriaki
July 8 – Theofilos
July 11 – Olga
July 17 – Marina
July 20 – Elias (Ilias)
July 26 – Paraskevi

August 15 – Assumption Day – Maria – Marios
August 24 – Kosmas
August 25 – Titos
August 30 – Alexandros

September 1 – Simeon
September 14 – Stavros – Stavroula
September 15 – Nikitas
September 29 – Kiriakos

October 3 – Dionisios
October 6 – Thomas
October 26 – Dimitrios

November 8 – Michalis, Angelos – Angela, Angeliki
November 9 – Nektarios
November 11 – Minas
November 14 – Filippos
November 16 – Mathaios
November 25 – Aikaterini (Katerina)
November 26 – Stilianos, Stelios – Stela
November 30 – Andreas

December 4 – Varvara
December 5 – Savvas
December 6 – Nikolaos, Nikos
December 9 – Anna
December 12 – Spiridon, Spiros
December 15 – Eleftherios, Lefteris
December 25 – Christmas Day, Manolis – Emmanouela
December 27 – Stefanos

*** For more Greek name days, check the Greek Names website