Greek Traditions Community

Greeks have their own halloween!

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mastichas09

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Greeks don't celebrate halloween like they do in the US and around the world. Greeks have another holidays called "apokries" which is celebrated ten weeks before Greek Orthodox Easter. Everybody dresses up in costumes and there is usually a parade in the street. So don't expect to see much on October 31, even though there are some western celebrations now a days.
 
Great point! There is no halloween (like the US) in Greece. I would compare apokries in Greece to be a bit more like mardis gras than Halloween.

Here is a bit more information to check out:
www.greekboston.com

Do Greeks Celebrate Halloween?

Here's a look as to whether or not Greek celebrate Halloween.
www.greekboston.com www.greekboston.com
 
Halloween is a pagan and demonic celebration, that's why real Greeks don't celebrate it.
 
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Blue & White said:
Halloween is a pagan and demonic celebration, that's why real Greeks don't celebrate it.
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Whereas "Originally, Apokries was derived from an Ancient Greek celebration dedicated to Dionysius, the Greek god of wine and revelry." according to both articles posted above. Of course, as a theological "investigator" I realised that the religion most Greeks currently follow is a foreign religion having arisen in the middle east some 1,800 years ago. If I were to follow a faith-based religion, it would be the religion of my forefathers, therefore I could embrace the Apokries celebration. I do, however, prefer the "religion" that has no gods which King Menander also realised and followed about 2,150 years ago.
 
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Vangelis said:
Whereas "Originally, Apokries was derived from an Ancient Greek celebration dedicated to Dionysius, the Greek god of wine and revelry." according to both articles posted above. Of course, as a theological "investigator" I realised that the religion most Greeks currently follow is a foreign religion having arisen in the middle east some 1,800 years ago. If I were to follow a faith-based religion, it would be the religion of my forefathers, therefore I could embrace the Apokries celebration. I do, however, prefer the "religion" that has no gods which King Menander also realised and followed about 2,150 years ago.
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I didn't know that's where apokries came from! So cool, thanks!
 
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I ended up talking about ideas like honor, dignity, courage, generosity, and doing the right thing because it’s simply the right thing to do. I even used some historical examples, including the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae and the spirit of Ochi Day, to try to explain the sense of duty and selflessness that I associate with philotimo.

But I know the concept can also show up in much smaller, everyday ways. How would you explain philotimo to someone unfamiliar with Greek culture? What does the word mean to you personally?

Information About Apokries?

I’ve been curious about how people experience Apokries and what it looks like in different parts of Greece. For some, it seems centered on big public celebrations and costumes, while for others it’s more about smaller gatherings, food, and local customs.

I’m especially interested in the traditions people grew up with. Was Apokries something your family actively celebrated, or did it feel more like a community event? Did you attend costume parties, parades, or specific local festivities? And how did days like Tsiknopempti fit into it for you?

I’d also love to hear whether your experience changed over time, for example, celebrating differently as a child versus as an adult, or noticing differences between village and city celebrations.

For those who no longer live in Greece, do you still mark Apokries in some way, or has it faded with distance?

I’m looking forward to hearing how this tradition shows up for others.

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Lately I’ve been wondering how much traditional Greek culture is still being carried forward by younger generations, both in Greece and in the diaspora.

I’m not talking only about the big holidays or major family events, but the smaller everyday things too — name days, church traditions, hospitality, family meals, fasting periods, village festivals, coffee rituals, respect for elders, even certain sayings and customs. Do younger Greeks still actively participate in these traditions, or do they mostly happen because parents and grandparents keep them going?

I imagine the answer probably depends a lot on location, family, and lifestyle. Someone growing up in a village might have a different experience than someone in Athens or abroad. I’d love to hear from people of different ages, which traditions have stayed strong, which ones are fading, and are there any that younger generations are bringing back in new ways?
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