Christmas Day Description
Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, this is one of the most significant Christian feasts in the Greek Orthodox tradition. On Christmas Eve, children sing kalanda (carols) from house to house, receiving coins and treats. The main festive meal features roast lamb or pork, stuffed cabbage leaves, and traditional sweets including melomakarona (honey cookies) and kourabiedes (almond sugar cookies). Churches hold a solemn Divine Liturgy on Christmas morning. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close. In major cities, particularly Athens' Syntagma Square, large Christmas trees and festive light displays draw crowds throughout the season.
