Hydra in JanuarySocial life in Hydra, as throughout Greece, is punctuated with religious events and celebrations throughout the year. Although it is beginning to change, the festivities have a much more home-spun and less commercial atmosphere than you might find in other countries such as the US or UK. Generally these holidays are very family and community orientated and nearly always involve parades and plenty for people to watch and take part in.

Epiphany 6th January This day marks the start of the religious calendar in Greece. In churches all over the country, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany each year with a beautiful morning service of psalms. In Hydra the church services are followed by a procession to the water's edge where the priests will throw the cross into the water from the centre of the main outside jetty facing the harbour shops more or less opposite the clock tower of the Monastary.

Hydra Carnival"Apokries" meaning Carnival and held 41 days before Greek Orthodox Easter, is essentially a pagan celebration at the beginning of spring with emphasis on fertility hence the bride and groom leading the procession, although it must be said that some of the "brides" on Hydra could be described as more of a deterrent to fertility than an encouragement.In the Roman and Byzantine period, the carnival was marked as a tribute to the magical qualities of nature - now as with all carnivals, fancy dress is worn with everyone parading their costumes along the carnival route and through the town.

Epiphany 6th January - This day marks the start of the religious calendar in Greece. In churches all over the country, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany each year with a beautiful morning service of psalms.

In Hydra the church services are followed by a procession to the water's edge where the priests will throw the cross into the water from the centre of the main outside jetty facing the harbour shops more or less opposite the clock tower of the Monastary.

The young boys and girls of the town or village dive into the water to retrieve it. The person who brings the cross back to the priest is doubly blessed for the year. Sensibly the priests tie a piece of rope to the cross just in case!

Miaoulis Festival Re-EnactmentMiaoulis Festival - week preceding the closest weekend to the 24th June. Admiral Miaoulis is a favourite hero of Hydra. He was instrumental in the defeat of the Turkish navy when Greece won its independence in the last century. A week long celebration culminating in a massive firework display is held to mark his birth date and to honour one of Hydra's greatest leaders as well as to celebrate Greece's independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Generally the week includes dancing at various squares of Hydra and Kamini, various events and exhibitions around the island, with the fireworks on the Saturday evening and the final memorial service on the Sunday.

Marching past the donkeysIndependence Day 25th March is a very important day in the Greek calendar, as not only is it the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary but is also the Greek Independence Day. This religious and national, holiday is known as Evangelismós and most people bearing the name of Evangelos or Evangelia will celebrate this day as their name day. On this day in 1821, Germanos, the Bishop of Patras hoisted the Greek flag in defiance of the Turks at the Monastery of Ayia Lavra.

This symbolic action was enough to prompt the War of Independence against the occupying Turkish forces.

Seafood for Clean MondayKathará Dheftéra - Clean Monday follows immediately after the Sunday that Carnival lands on and therefore the date changes each year depending upon when the Greek Orthodox Easter lands.

This is the first day of Lent and the start of the fasting period. The Orthodox Church maintains the rules that during the seven weeks of Lent no meat or fish (that is, fish with backbones) should be eaten. Also no animal products such as milk, cheese, butter and eggs. Oil and wine should be omitted too, except on a Saturday and Sunday. This is why it is known as Clean Monday because it's the first day of a complete purge at the start of Lent.

28th October each year (throughout Greece) - This event is held each year to commemorate the occasion when Greece said OXI (NO) to the invasion of Mussolini during the 2nd World War. There is a service at the main Cathedral church in the port followed by a parade by the children of Hydra.  After, there is a demonstration of traditional dancing and a general street party ensues.

In 1940 when most countries of Europe had surrendered, Hitler had the continent of Europe in his grip and the democracies were at their lowest point, Mussolini decided to take over Greece anticipating an easy victory based on his superior numbers and mechanized forces. He attacked Greece from Albania.
The Greeks stood up and said "OXI!!!" (No, you shall not pass) and fought fiercely, hurling back the stunned and bleeding aggressors. Mussolini's divisions were soon back in Albania and for six months were fighting to maintain a hold on the seacoast, desperately calling for help.

Epitaph going into Kamini HarbourPaska - Greek Orthodox Easter is the most significant religious holiday celebrated throughout Greece, it outdoes Christmas as an event in Western Europe. During the 40 day period of Lent preceding Easter Sunday many Orthodox Greeks will fast, becoming even more strict about what they eat in the final week. During the final week there will be church services every day and night. Easter in Greece is given far more importance than Christmas and is celebrated throughout the country with more enthusiasm than you would find elsewhere in Europe.

As with Western Easter, the actual date changes from one year to the next, but Orthodox Paska only rarely coincides with the non-orthodox Easter. The religious calendars are slightly different even though the celebrations are the same.