It’s no wonder that religious customs and traditions are strongly alive in the daily lives of the Greek Islanders, seeing how 97 of Greeks are Christian Orthodox. Christian Orthodox is the third largest branch in Christianity. Greek Isle villagers have a high sense of superstition, customs, traditions and religion is no different. Villagers in these Greek Islands still honor their religious traditions.

If you ever happen to run into a Greek person, study their name. Greeks are usually named after the saint whose day they were born on. Name day celebration is very popular here, as opposed to the western tradition of birthdays. So when this day comes, it’s a celebration for the person, the village as well as the saint. Islanders keep this tradition alive by visiting that person’s home on this day, majority of the time with no warning. It’s customary for that person to have sweets, snack and drinks to offer the guests who come to visit.

During Good Friday there are processions throughout the islands leading and ending at their local churches. Easter, the most religious time in all of Greece, is celebrated throughout the islands. The island of Crete villagers burn effigies of Judas Iscariot. The second largest religious holiday celebrated in the Greek Island of Tinos is the day of the Virgin Mary or The day of the Panagia celebrated on August 15. This is where villagers crawl on their knees up the steps to the church that holds the holy icon.

Most striking aspect to a Greek villager’s home is the devotion to their religious beliefs, you will see throughout the homes on the island, the many statues and icons that pay homage to a certain patron saint. The Greek Islands with all of its splendors will make you intrigued with its customs.