Traditions

We wish you to be always beautiful and tender because you are those who make us rise every morning with the thought that life has a meaning!

Today, the world marks the International Day of Embrace. The day was first celebrated in 1986 in the United States, but quickly spread to other countries. The "tradition" that is observed on this day is to give friendly hugs, even to strangers.

Authorities in Istanbul have taken measures to prevent the illegal cutting down of pine trees ahead of New Year's Eve, with officials carrying out extensive controls in forested areas to protect the trees.

Back at the beginning of March, few would have thought that terms like "restrictions," "without friends," "only at home" and "no hugs or kisses" would be a part of any discussion about the Christmas and New Year's holidays this year.

According to the Gospel tradition, Jesus Christ was born on December 25 in Bethlehem, so, with the differences in calendars, that date is respected in the entire Christian world as the beginning of a new era and a new history of mankind.

As Greeks celebrate Christmas on Friday, authorities are warning of the dangers of ignoring coronavirus regulations during the festive season and urging the public to stay safe.

Christmas festivities began on Dec. 25, with hundreds of millions across the world under coronavirus restrictions celebrating a pared-down version of a holiday typically marked by travel and large gatherings.

The gift we can make this year, this holiday, is to protect our loved ones, President Klaus Iohannis says in a Christmas video. "Wherever we are in the world, on Christmas, the roads take us back home, with family and friends. This year, because of the epidemic, we have to spend our holidays away from those we love so much and miss.

We are celebrating Christmas Eve today! This is the day before the Nativity. According to the biblical prophecy, on Christmas Eve the labor pains of the Virgin Mary, which began on Ignazhden (20 December), ended. The holiday is dedicated to home and the family reunites for dinner to wait together for the birth of the Son of God. On Christmas Eve, the 40-day Christmas fasting ends.

St Paul's Anglican Church has arranged to hold its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services online via Zoom this year. For details and registration codes, visit anglicanchurchathens.gr, where copies of the service sheet will also be posted.