Have you ever heard Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν (Ímnos is tin Eleftherían) - “Hymn to Liberty,” the Greek national anthem? The music is beautiful yet imposing. However, the lyrics might seem a bit complicated to anyone learning Greek, regardless of their level, since they are full of old-fashioned words and phrases which aren’t used in modern Greek anymore.  This is mainly because the poem that later became the lyrics of the Greek national anthem was written in Katharevousa, an older form of Greek used from the 18th to the 20th century. Katharevousa was formed as a compromise between ancient Greek and the vernacular language that most people used during these days, called Demotic Greek. Even today, various phrases of Katharevousa have... Show more

The culture of Greece has evolved over thousands of years. From Cycladic and Minoan civilizations to modern Greek society, each period has shaped and left its footprint on Greek culture as we know it today.  On this page, we’ll explore some of the most important aspects of Greek culture, including philosophy, religion, art, and traditional holidays. Keep reading to enter the fascinating world of modern Greek culture. Table of Contents Philosophy & Religion Family & Work Art Food Holidays & Observances Conclusion 1. Philosophy & Religion Philosophy and religion play a huge role in Greek culture and traditions. Becoming familiar with these aspects of Greek society will not only immerse you in the culture,... Show more

While Greece is a country of many religions, over ninety percent of the Greek population identifies as Eastern Orthodox Christian. This makes all related holidays a huge deal here, and today we’re going to tell you about what you can expect on a Greek Orthodox Saturday of Souls. You’ll learn about the basics of Soul Saturday, Orthodox traditions that usually take place, and lots of useful vocabulary words. Let’s get started. 1. What is the Greek Saturday of Souls? Within the Greek Orthodox Church, there’s a tradition of praying for the νεκρός (nekrós), or "dead," every Saturday. This is done in memoriam of when Jesus died on the Great and Holy Saturday. However, there are also two specific days set aside each year,... Show more

Apokries, the term for Carnival season in Greece, is a major celebration throughout the country, and one of the most colorful. With roots in both paganism and Christianity, traditions can look quite different from one region to the next! In this article, you’ll learn all about the Greek Carnival, from its origins to modern-day celebrations around Greece. Are you ready? Let’s get started! 1. What is Carnival? Carnival in Greece is a period of merrymaking, entertainment, and masquerade. The atmosphere is cheerful, with many costume parties, lots of teasing, and carnivals that take place in various regions of Greece. The period of Carnival in Greek culture is also the official opening of the Triodion period, a period which is... Show more

On Epiphany Day, Greece celebrates the baptism of Jesus, which manifested the Holy Trinity on Earth. This is one of the most significant Christian holidays in the country and is observed with a variety of traditions. In this article, you’ll learn about the Epiphany holiday in Greece, from its origin to current Epiphany traditions in Greece. At GreekPod101.com, it’s our goal to ensure that every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative—starting with this article! Are you ready? Let’s dive in. 1. What is Epiphany in Greece? Theophany, or Epiphany, is a Christian holiday that’s celebrated every year to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. It’s the third... Show more

What is Ohi Day, and what role does it play in Greek culture? Simply put, on Ohi Day, Greece commemorates the day on which the Greek prime minister refused an ultimatum provided by the Italians in 1940. This significant action led to (and took place at the same time as) a chain of events that unraveled throughout WWII and the Greco-Italian War. In this article, you’ll learn the most essential Ohi Day facts: its history, current celebrations, and related vocabulary. At GreekPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative! 1. Ohi Day Foundations: What is Ohi Day in Greece? On Ohi Day, we celebrate the anniversary of OHI (NO). It's a day of national celebration and a... Show more

Each year, when many countries are celebrating Assumption Day, Greece holds Dormition Day celebrations. This holiday, also called the day of the Dormition of the Theotokos, is when most of Greece remembers the death of the Virgin Mary and her subsequent resurrection three days later. If you’re asking yourself "What is Assumption Day, and how does it actually differ from Dormition?" consider this. While similar to the Assumption of Mary Day, Dormition has a greater focus on her death and resurrection, as opposed to only her assumption into Heaven. Learn all about the Dormition of the Mother of God with GreekPod101.com, and increase your understanding of Greece’s fascinating culture and tradition. After all, this is the first step in... Show more

The Pentecostal holiday of Whit Monday (also called "Monday of the Holy Spirit" or "Pentecost Monday") is a vital celebration in Greek culture. The Greek Church actually separated the celebrations of this holiday from those of Pentecost, to ensure that its meaning and significance are always recognized despite commemorating the same events. By learning about the Whit Monday holiday, you’re also going to learn lots about Greek culture and values. Any successful language-learner can tell you that this is a fundamental step in actually mastering a language: Comprehending its culture. And at GreekPod101.com, we hope to make this learning experience enjoyable and informative! 1. What is Whit Monday in Greece? So, what is... Show more

May Day (otherwise known as Labor Day, or Labor Day weekend in some places) has its roots in antiquity. Back then, the Greeks, as well as many other people of Europe, celebrated the final victory of spring against winter, something that would bring fertility and life to nature and, by extension, to humans. The word "May" itself is believed to have originated from the Roman goddess Maia, who took her name from Maia, one of the Pleiades. The word maia back then meant wet nurse and mother. The celebrations of antiquity were, of course, altered over time, but they survive today as simple folk traditions. Taking this historical context and examining it in light of more recent events and current traditions, you’ll uncover so much... Show more

Clean Monday (also known as Kathari Deftera or Καθαρά Δευτέρα) is a religious holiday in Greece, and marks the beginning of Lent. This is a holiday of great importance in the country, is a strong representation of what Christianity looks like in Greece, and provides a lot of important cultural insight. Let GreekPod101.com guide you through all the facets of Ash Monday. This way, you can learn the Greek language in context, and gain much knowledge concerning the country and its people. Let’s get started! 1. What is Clean Monday in Greece? Clean Monday is a particularly popular celebration. It is called Clean because on this day the Lent fast that cleanses the Christians spiritually and physically begins, while it is also the... Show more