Contemporary Greek culture and traditions are very rich and diverse, reflecting Greece’s location at the crossing point where the West meets the East and the country’s great and turbulent history.
Erica Kontos, a Greek-American Senior Director at the NBA, has been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for her role in securing groundbreaking global media deals. Blending cultural pride with innovative leadership, she’s expanding basketball’s reach while inspiring women in the sports industry.
On Good Friday, the coastal villages of Greece’s Peloponnese transform into scenes of profound faith as the Epitaphios, a symbolic bier of Christ, is carried into the sea. In Loutraki, Tolo, Kitries, Agios Andreas, and Tyros, fishermen guide the sacred procession through the waves under flickering candlelight and bursts of fireworks. From Tolo’s Cretan-inspired rites to Tyros’ sea of lanterns honoring lost sailors, these unique traditions weave spirituality with the region’s deep maritime heritage, captivating locals and visitors alike.
Examination of the letters indicates that the style most closely matches that of the 1st century AD, while the language used and historical context indicates the edict was made about 41-44 AD, when Claudius became Emperor of Rome and his friend Herod Agrippa I was king of Judea.
“On April 18th, 1821, the island of Samos officially declared its participation in the burgeoning Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire. This act, fueled by a long-standing desire for liberation and inspired by the uprisings on the mainland, marked a significant moment in the island’s history and contributed decisively to the wider struggle for Greek independence.”
George and Thalia Dardamanis are breathing new life into the classic Elliniko coffee.
On Great and Holy Friday the Orthodox Church commemorates the death of Christ on the Cross. “Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross.” (From the Fifteenth Antiphon of the Matins of Holy Friday)
On April 17, 2025, Greece commemorates Colonel Dimitrios Psarros, commander of the 5/42 Evzone Regiment, executed in 1944 for resisting alignment with the communist-led EAM/ELAS during the Axis occupation. A patriot who fought in multiple wars, Psarros’ legacy highlights the complexities of the Greek resistance.
Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Loverdos will travel to Jerusalem on Holy Saturday to receive the Holy Fire from Patriarch Theophilos III at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, continuing a longstanding Orthodox Easter tradition. The sacred flame will be flown to Athens for nationwide distribution.
As Greece observes Holy Week, store hours adjust for Easter traditions. On Holy Thursday, shops stay open until 9:00 PM, while Good Friday sees a half-day schedule starting at 1:00 PM. Holy Saturday limits retail to 3:00 PM, with supermarkets like Lidl open until 9:00 PM. Plan your shopping to celebrate a joyous Kali Anastasi!
Greece is commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a series of events in Athens, including memorial services, wreath-laying ceremonies, and a central political gathering. Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Greece and the Region of Attica, the events honor the 1.5 million victims and highlight the enduring ties between the Greek and Armenian communities.
Former Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Arthur Sinodinos AO has questioned America’s reliability as an ally under Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, warning that the U.S. must recognize its security is intertwined with Australia’s in the Indo-Pacific.
On April 17, 2012, Greek music legend Dimitris Mitropanos passed away at 64, leaving a lasting void. From his 1967 debut with “Thessaloniki” to iconic works like Agios Fevrouarios, his collaborations with Greece’s finest composers defined Laïko and rebetika. His soulful voice and timeless songs, like “Ρόζα” and “Αλίμονο,” ensure his legacy endures.
On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: the washing of the disciples’ feet,…
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed UNESCO’s designation of February 9 as World Greek Language Day as a triumph for Greece’s cultural diplomacy, noting that the decision by 88 countries reflects the global esteem for the Greek language and its enduring influence on democracy, philosophy, and science.
SKY Express will illuminate Greece this Easter 2025, carrying the Holy Light from Jerusalem to seven destinations, including Corfu, Rhodes, and Chios, on Holy Saturday. Upholding tradition since 2017, the airline ensures timely delivery with its modern fleet, while gifting passengers paschal candles and Corfu’s traditional “botides” to celebrate the season.
A rare 1964 photograph, shared on *Elena’s Diary* Instagram, captures Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis at the funeral of Prince Pierre de Polignac in Monaco. The image reveals their close bond with Prince Rainier and Princess Grace, blending Greek heritage, high art, and Monte Carlo’s elite society in a poignant moment of history.
Greece’s tourism sector is seeing a strong start to 2025 as Orthodox and Catholic Easter coincide. Major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki are welcoming more visitors than ever, while islands like Corfu and Crete experience early-season surges. With record hotel occupancies and high flight demand, Greece’s Easter celebrations are expected to set the stage for a booming summer tourism season.
Acropolis Museum, Nikolaos Stampolidis, Yale University, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Public Archaeology, Cultural Repatriation, Parthenon Marbles, Greek Heritage, Cultural Heritage, Eleutherna, Greek Archaeology, Hellenic Studies, MacMillan Center, Museum Studies, Art Repatriation
Chara Tsioli, born in 1979 in Karditsa, is a Greek actress, comedian and content creator…
The Greek Community of Melbourne is expanding its cultural presence in the heart of the city, with $310,000 in funding pledged by a re-elected Albanese Labor Government. The support will enhance two key spaces on Russell Street—the Greek Centre HUB and the new Multi Arts Community (MAC) Space—providing vital infrastructure for cultural events, exhibitions, and community programs.