They love and know how to celebrate holidays in Cyprus!)
Among the official public holidays, with mandatory days off, there is a large proportion of church holidays. Cypriots go to festive services with whole families, fairs, folk festivals, concerts are organized in towns and villages.
Secular holidays are associated with the historical events of Cyprus and fraternal Greece. Cyprus also loves traditional festivals dedicated to the cultural traditions of the island.
It must be remembered that on holidays declared a day off, most institutions are closed, including banks, many shops and pharmacies are closed or declare a short day. It is undesirable to plan pilgrimage trips on the days of church holidays — there are traditionally many Cypriots in monasteries and churches, festive services are held — it will be difficult to venerate the shrines, communicate with the priest, and just walk through the temples.
January 1 – New Year (day off)
Cyprus, like the whole world, celebrates the New Year with hope for the best and faith in a miracle! Preparations for Christmas and New Year, the most beloved holidays, begin at the end of November — Christmas fairs are organized, towns and villages are decorated, festive concerts and festivals are held. The New Year’s Eve is inferior in importance and splendor to Christmas, it is no longer a family holiday, there are fewer conventions. In all coastal cities, a solemn salute over the sea is given at midnight.
January 6 – Epiphany in Cyprus. Christening. St. Epiphanius Day (day off)
Festive services are held in all temples of Cyprus: the symbolic consecration of water is performed. The cross is taken out of the temple and immersed in water under solemn prayers. Young people dive into the sea to get a cross — it is believed that this way they can receive a blessing for the whole coming year. It is customary to consecrate houses and land with water consecrated in the church.
January 8 is the Day of the Kikk Icon of the Mother of God
The holiday is dedicated to the most famous icon of Cyprus, kept in the Kykkos monastery.
January 24 – St. Neophyte’s Memorial Day
The Memorial Day of one of the most beloved Cypriot saints, a native of the village of Kato Dris, a recluse and abbot of the monastery of St.A neophyte.
The Monastery of St. Neophyte
March 18 – Green “clean” Monday (day off)
The first day of Lent. Cypriots go to nature, on picnics. It should be noted that all the inhabitants of the island are very religious and respect church holidays and traditions — they collect fresh vegetables and fruits, bread for picnics.
March 25 is the National Day of Greece (day off)
The anniversary of the beginning of the liberation war of the Greek people against the Ottoman rule. The war lasted 7 years from 1821 to 1828, and ended with the recognition of the independence of the Kingdom of Greece. Cyprus, also under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, warmly supported the Greek rebels, for which it paid with bloody massacres. Festive events are held in all cities: parades, processions, concerts, memorial services in churches.
April 1 – The day of the beginning of the liberation war of Cyprus against British colonization (day off)
The liberation War lasted from 1951 to 1959, and ended with the recognition of the independence of Cyprus. The day is a public holiday in Cyprus, festive events are held in all cities: parades, processions, concerts, memorial services in churches.
April 27 – Lazarev Saturday
After his miraculous resurrection by Jesus Christ, Lazarus moved to Cyprus, and became one of the first bishops here. Saint Lazarus is very much loved and revered in Cyprus. The main celebrations take place in Larnaca, whose patron saint is Lazarus. Mass folk festivals, concerts, and children’s performances take place here.
May 1 – Labor Day (day off)
In the morning, trade union marches and rallies and official events are organized, and in the evening mass festivities begin.
May 5 – Easter (days off: May 5-6)
One of the most beloved Orthodox holidays. The streets of towns and villages are decorated with Easter symbols long before this solemn day. Festive services and processions are held in all churches — large families come here. Concerts and Easter fairs are organized on the streets of the cities.
Article: Bright Easter. The Emergence of Christianity
May 6 – Anthestiria – Flower Festival
A tribute to the extraordinary natural wealth of Cyprus. Mass events are held in all cities: flower carnivals, flower festivals, as well as fairs, concerts, exhibitions dedicated to flowers.
June 24 – Cataclysm
Water festival in memory of the Great Flood. In the morning, festive services are held in all temples, and then the real fun begins: street festivities, concerts, festive regattas, fairs and fireworks. One of the largest and most colorful holidays in Cyprus! The capital of this water fun is traditionally Larnaca.
August 15 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (day off)
A major and revered religious holiday. On the night of August 15, services are held in monasteries consecrated in the name of the Virgin, in the morning there are festive divine services in all temples of Cyprus. But in the evening, festivities begin in all the cities of the island!
September 14 – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Cyprus
The holiday is dedicated to a very important event in the history of the Cypriot Orthodox Church and the island of Cyprus itself — the finding of the True Cross of the Lord in Palestine in 326 by St. Helen of Equal Apostles. Returning home from Palestine, Elena stopped in Cyprus and left here some of the found shrines, testimonies of the Passion of Christ. In many temples of Cyprus, particles of the True Cross and other relics are kept to this day.
October 1 – Cyprus Independence Day (day off)
One of the most important dates in the history of Cyprus. On this day, after four years of grueling struggle of the Cypriot people against the British colonialists, the independence of the Republic of Cyprus was declared. On this day, a festive military parade is traditionally held in Nicosia, and festive concerts and events are held in all cities of the island.
Article: Cyprus Independence Day
October 28 – OHI Day
On this day back in 1940, to Mussolini’s proposal to join Greece with the Hitler coalition, the Greek government replied with a firm NO (“Oohs”). Despite the significant numerical superiority of the enemy, a small European state resisted for 7 months. Greece turned out to be virtually the only European state that defied fascism. The people of Cyprus warmly supported the Greek brothers, many Cypriots fought for the peaceful choice of Greece. This day is a tribute to the memory and respect of the war heroes. Parades, celebrations, and temple services are held in Cyprus.
December 25 – Christmas (day off)
Perhaps the most beloved and expected holiday in Cyprus! All towns and villages are transformed: Christmas nativity scenes, huge fir trees, fairy-tale characters inhabit the island. The celebration begins in early December and lasts until mid-January. You can participate in festive street festivities, visit Christmas fairs with children’s attractions, go to a concert by Cypriot or Russian artists.
Article: When is Christmas celebrated in Cyprus?
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