Greek Independence Day

In Greece, March 25 marks not only the Feast of the Annunciation, but also Independence Day, commemorating the successful 1821 revolution against the Ottomans.

Of course, it is a national holiday, and typically school children go to church in the morning, and then participate in some sort of celebration, which usually involves reciting poems in honor of the day, sing songs, a parade, etc.

Our parish doesn't have a school, so right after our Liturgy concluded, I headed down the hill to the neighboring parish of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, where the kids' school is located. Here's a video of their celebration in the courtyard outside the church, next to the monument honoring all those who died.

Here's part of what the kids recited:

Ευαγγελισμός 

Στα πολύ παλιά τα χρόνια

Ο Χριστός πριν γεννηθεί

Παναγιά στην εκκλησία

Πήγε να προσευχηθεί

Ξάφνου φάνηκε μπροστά της

Ένας άγγελος λαμπρός.

Μη φοβάσαι της μιλάει

Εδώ με έστειλε ο Θεός.

Άκουσε το θέλημά του

Το τρανό το ξακουστό

Ένας χρόνος πριν περάσει

Θα γεννήσεις τον Χριστό.