Assumption of the Virgin Mary observed today
For the Greek Orthodox Church, this is one of the 3 most important feasts after Christmas and Easter and a day of great joy as the Mother of Jesus ascended to heaven and was reunited with her son.
It is a National Holiday in Greece observed both by the public and the private sector. Every church in the country celebrates the "Easter of the Summer" as Greeks call the feast, with a morning service - although the pilgrimage destination is the Cathedral of Panagia Evagelistria in the island of Tinos were a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary was found in 1823.
Throughout Greece, there are military parades, religious processions and public outdoor festivals with food, wine, music, and dancing that in some parts of the country last until the next day.
Moreover, Marias' celebrate their Orthodox baptized namedays today. Additional names correlated to the Virgin Mary are also praised on that day, including Marios, Panagiotis, Panagiota, Despoina, Parthena, and more. They will offer sweets and drinks to friends, family and anyone who calls to honor them.
