Calendar of Events

1 January St Basil’s Day (Agíou Vassilíou, Protohroniá). At midnight on New Year’s Eve, adults play cards for money and a cake with a lucky coin baked into it (the vassilópita) is cut.

6 January Epiphany (Ta Ágia Theofánia or Ta Fóta). In seaside parishes the priest or bishop blesses the waters by throwing a crucifix into the sea; young men dive competitively to retrieve it.

February Apókries. Carnival Season of three weekends, prior to Lent. Fancy-dress parties, parades with floats and marching bands, and (on the third Sunday), the trial and cremation of ‘King Carnival’.

‘Clean Monday’ First day of Orthodox Lent (Katharí Deftéra). In good weather everyone goes out for a picnic and kite flying.

8 March St Theodora Augusta (Agía Theodóra Avgoústa). The saint’s relics are carried in a procession around Kérkyra Town.

25 March Greek Independence Day: procession in Kérkyra Town.

Good Friday Biers form a procession through Kérkyra Town.

Easter Saturday Procession of St Spyridon’s coffin around Kérkyra.

Easter Sunday Fireworks and noisy celebrations with music and dance.

1 May May Day/Labour Day. Workers’ parades and excursions to the countryside to gather flowers and greenery for May wreaths.

21 May Ionian Union Day (Énosis ton Eptaníson) marks the anniversary of the seven islands joining Greece in 1864.

17 July Agía Marína. Festivities at Avliótes, Benítses, Sparterá and in San Rocco Square, Kérkyra Town.

11 August Feast day in honour of St Spyridon in Kérkyra Town, including procession of St Spyrídon’s coffin.

15 August Kímisis tis Panagías (Dormition of the Virgin); festivals at many churches.

1st Sunday in November Procession of St Spyridon’s coffin around Kérkyra Town.

12 December St Spyridon Day (Agíou Spyrídonos). Ágios Spyrídon church is open for 24 hours continuously from the eve of 11 December, with ongoing liturgy and a steady stream of pilgrims.