The vasilopita, or New Year’s cake, is a beloved Greek tradition. This special bread, often flavored with mastic or orange, contains a hidden coin. Finding the coin in your slice is believed to bring good luck in the coming year, making the cutting of the vasilopita a joyful and anticipated moment for families and friends.
Tag: tradition
On the Greek island of Tinos, more than a thousand private chapels are lovingly maintained by families across generations. These small, whitewashed stone churches serve as sites of faith, community, and tradition, hosting annual festivals that honor saints and the Virgin Mary. For locals, the chapels are not just places of worship—they are treasured heirlooms that connect past and present, family and community.
Students from the Greek Community of Melbourne’s schools participated in a traditional dance workshop on Friday, May 2, led by Andreas Papadopoulos, a distinguished instructor from Athens’ Dora Stratou Theatre.
Greek Australian Con Damouras, owner of Bar Italia in Sydney’s Leichhardt since 1952, insists on a cash-only policy and rejects milk alternatives to keep his restaurant “old school.” Despite some customer pushback, the bustling eatery remains a local favorite, aligning with a national movement to preserve cash in a digital world.
Dyeing Easter eggs red is a cherished Greek tradition steeped in centuries of symbolism. Known as kokkina avga, these eggs represent life, death, and resurrection, with their crimson hue symbolizing Christ’s blood. From the protective rituals of Holy Thursday to the playful tsougrisma game, this custom blends faith, legend, and cultural memory.
In the heart of Argos, master tailor Aristides Tzonevrakis stitches together Greece’s past and present, with the fustanella as his muse. “It’s the pinnacle of traditional clothing,” he says, reflecting on its role in celebrating Greek liberation on March 25. From crafting a general’s tunic for the Benaki Museum to collaborating with Dior, Tzonevrakis’ journey weaves tradition into a global tapestry, proving that heritage can thrive in modern hands.
In a recent social media post, singer Nikos Oikonomopoulos addressed the violent incident that occurred at the National Gallery, instigated by Nikos Papadopoulos, an MP from the “Victory” party. Oikonomopoulos called for remembering faith with kindness and humility.
Athens is exploding with color and excitement this weekend for the grand finale of Apokries, Greece’s vibrant Carnival season! Join the city-wide celebration with parades, music, dancing, and free events for all ages before the start of Lent. From traditional performances to digital costume design, there’s something for everyone!
You’re probably used to Valentine’s Day involving red hearts, balloons and ribbons, bouquets of roses,…
In 2025, the Orthodox Church has designated two significant Psychosavata as days of remembrance and prayer for the departed. These days offer believers the chance to participate in memorial services, honor the souls of loved ones, and uphold the traditions of love and remembrance within the Orthodox faith.
Ange Postecoglou launched an impassioned defense of football’s traditions following Tottenham’s controversial win over Liverpool, criticizing the growing influence of technology and VAR, and earning praise from some in the British media who see him as a refreshing voice.
Hollywood actor John Stamos celebrated his name day with a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a stunning Acropolis sunset and a reflection on his Greek heritage. “In Greece, a name day is more than just a tradition – it’s connection, love, and gratitude,” Stamos shared, highlighting the importance of family and history in Greek culture.
President Putin marked Christmas with a message emphasizing faith, family, and the role of the Church in Russia, attending services alongside military personnel and their families. He also presented consecrated crosses to commanders in the Special Military Operation zone, highlighting the ongoing connection between the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Epiphany celebrations at the Church of St. George in Phanar, Istanbul, which included a solemn Divine Liturgy and the traditional blessing of the waters in the Keratian Gulf. The event drew large crowds from Greece, Romania, Ukraine, and other Orthodox regions, with prominent attendees such as Nikos Androulakis and Akis Skertsos. Similar ceremonies were held in other parts of Istanbul, reflecting the enduring importance of this Orthodox tradition.
The vasilopita, or New Year’s cake, is a beloved Greek tradition. This special bread, often flavored with mastic or orange, contains a hidden coin. Finding the coin in your slice is believed to bring good luck in the coming year, making the cutting of the vasilopita a joyful and anticipated moment for families and friends.
On Christmas Eve, Kotzia Square in Athens transformed into a spectacle of light and music as hundreds of lanterns were released into the night sky, carrying messages of hope and peace.
Danis Koumartzis, a skilled craftsman, is carrying on a family tradition of crafting replicas of…
On the picturesque Greek island of Lesbos, 70-year-old master potter Dimitris Kouvdis keeps an ancient pottery tradition alive, using local clay and a traditional olive-pit-fueled kiln. His unique, lime-painted pottery, recently recognized by UNESCO, is a testament to a fading art form and a potter’s enduring passion.
Greece, renowned for its ancient history and stunning landscapes, is also home to a unique…
In a historic moment for American democracy, President Joe Biden welcomed President-elect Donald Trump to…
The quaint village of Helidona, nestled in the heart of Evrytania, Central Greece, is set to burst back to life on September 28th for the annual All-Day Grape Festival. This vibrant celebration offers a glimmer of hope for the dwindling community, which has seen its population shrink dramatically to a mere 13 permanent residents…
Three men in Kefalonia, Greece, were bitten by a viper while collecting snakes for a religious ritual at the Church of Virgin Mary of the Snakes. The men were participating in the annual tradition of gathering “Panagia Snakes,” believed to bestow blessings, when the incident occurred.
A taste of Greece is blooming in an unexpected place: a Walsall man’s back garden. Panikos Panayiotou’s Lakis Greek Kitchen is a pop-up taverna serving delicious food and raising funds for charity in memory of his father. The heartwarming initiative has become a local favorite, attracting diners from as far as California.
The ovens have gone silent, the last crumb of powdered sugar dusted off, and the…
Greece, the birthplace of democracy and philosophy, boasts another cultural treasure: philoxenia. This word, meaning “friend to the stranger,” embodies a deep respect for hospitality that transcends hotels and restaurants. It’s a way of life.
In the village of Mavrolefki, northern Greece, locals gather at a small shrine, clutching icons…
In a historic move, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all of Africa ordained the…
The traditional ceremony performed in Corfu is believed to help ward off bad spirits
A grand congregation, including President Vladimir Putin, gathered at Moscow’s iconic Christ the Savior Cathedral for an Easter service in the night. Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a vocal Kremlin supporter, presided over the event.
At midnight, Archbishop Makarios chanted the triumphant angelic hymn, “Christ is risen from the dead…,” in front of the gathered crowd in the churchyard.
