Assumption Day, also known as the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, is a significant religious holiday in Greece celebrating the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. This holiday is celebrated annually on August 15 and it is a public holiday in Greece. It is one of the most important dates in the Greek Orthodox Church, marking the death, resurrection and ascension of Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ.
Religious processions and high church services across the country mark the significance of the day with much grandeur and solemnity. The eve of the holiday is often marked with fasting, followed by a feast that features traditional foods such as lamb, and special bread called panagia. Most businesses, public offices, and schools are closed on Assumption Day, and many Greeks use the holiday period for a traditional summer vacation, often traveling to one of the numerous Greek islands.
The celebration of Assumption Day in the Greek islands is complemented with local customs, music, dance and even theatrical plays. The island of Tinos, in particular, is a popular destination for this holiday as it is considered a sacred island of the Virgin Mary. Every year, thousands of Greek Orthodox pilgrims visit the Church of Panagia Evangelistria to honor the Virgin Mary. Assumption Day in Greece is not only a day of religious observance, but also a day to celebrate Greek culture and traditions.