12/08/2023
August 15 is a big day for the Greek Orthodox Church and for the people of Greece, who celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin or Assumption of Mary. It is not regarded as a day of grief, however, but a day of joy and celebration of her divine qualities, as the Church and the people believe that the Mother of Christ did not die, but ascended to Heaven.
The combination of these elements has such a powerful effect that August 15 is not just a national holiday, but is also known as the Easter of the Summer, or the peak of the summer period.
It transforms Greece across its entire breadth into one big church festival, as there isn’t a corner of this country or of its many islands that does not have a church or even a humble chapel dedicated to the Greeks’ favorite saint.
We consider it a blessing that millions of tourists also join the celebrations every year.
People celebrating their names on 15 August are:
Mary, Maria, Panayiotis, Panayiota, Despina.
Χρόνια πολλά to everyone celebrating.