VISIT TO CORFU IN WINTER

The off-season in Corfu starts from November to Easter. The slanders harvest olives and then quiet beautiful winter holidays. It should be noted that very pleasant pilgrimage tours can be organized during this period of the year, when there is no heat and not so many tourists everywhere.

Perhaps your visit to Greece coincides with one of the important holidays. We want you to know about this and so that you could attend a festive service in a temple, an interesting parade or a religious procession in the city of Corfu.

Please note that these holidays are indicated according to the New Church Calendar which is main all around Greece.

December 30 is the day of St. Andrew the First-Called.

December 6 is the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

December 12 is the day of  St. Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu. It’s not a working day on the island. The Saint is placed vertically for worship for 3 days and nights.

December 25 – Christmas time. It is customary to celebrate with feasts at home or in restaurants and taverns on the night of December 24-25.

January 31 – New Year. Massive festivities take place in the capital on the eve, everyone says goodbye to the old year. At night they cut the Vasilopita pie with a coin and drink wine or champagne. Whoever gets the coin will be lucky in the coming year.

January 1 – St. Basil’s Day. This is who gives presents in Greece and the rest of the world calls Santa Clause!

January 6 – Epiphany or Theophany. In the coastal regions of Greece festive services are held on the seashore. The priest throws the cross into the water and the young guys dive in to get it and be blessed.

January 19 – the day of St. Arseny, Bishop of Corfu. A special celebration takes place in the temple of Pantokrator in the Old City.

On the first Sunday of Great Lent is the triumph of Orthodoxy. Service is held in the Cathedral. There’s also a procession with the relics of Saint Theodora Augusta.

February 2 – Meeting of the Lord. Solemn services are held in all the temples of Kerkyra. This is the 40th day after Christmas.

February 7 is the day of St. Parthenius of Lampsaki.

February 10 is the day of St. Charalambius in Greece.

February 11 – the day of St. Vlasios. Service is held in the Cathedral, at the end of which everyone is given a piece of watermelon.

February 23 – the day of St. Polycarp.

The church is not separated from the state in Greece, so many church holidays are official days off.