Dormition of the Holy Virgin / Assumption Day

Assumption Day commemorates the assumption of the Virgin Mary and is a major celebration in Greece. Typically, each town takes a representation of the Virgin Mary and decorates it with flowers and ribbons. After being decorated, it is then carried through the town. There are church services throughout the day and celebrations in the evening. One of the main events of each town is panigiris, or festivals. At these festivals local wine and foods are served and there is often music and dancing. A lot of towns hold their own traditions for this holiday, but all of the traditions focus on celebrating the Virgin Mary, known in Greek as Panagia.