Mother's and Father's Day - Γιορτή της Μητέρας και του Πατέρα

Mother's & Father's Day Recipes - Συνταγές για τη Γιορτή της Μητέρας & του Πατέρα

Mother’s and Fathers’ Day in Greece

Η Γιορτή της Μητέρας και του Πατέρα στην Ελλάδα

Mother’s and Fathers’ Day are two large and important celebrations in Greece. Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May while Father’s Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June. Check my link above with ideas for something special to prepare for your beloved parents!

More info about Mother’s Day in Greece:

How they honored Mother in Ancient Greece: In Greek mythology we find mother Earth, the 1st mother, who was worshiped as a Goddess. Mother Earth was for the ancient Greeks the personification of nature and mother of all. Goddess Rhea was worshiped as the goddess of the earth, wildlife and fertility. According to Greek mythology, she was the first woman to give birth and raise her children with her mother's milk.

In Greece, Mother's Day was until recently associated with the feast of Ypapanti-Presentation of Jesus to the temple (February 2). On that day, the Orthodox Church celebrates Virgin Mary with Joseph going with 40-day-old Jesus in the Temple for a blessing.

However, in the 1960s, that celebration faded and the western holiday habit of 2nd Sunday of May was established. Nevertheless, the church insists on the old day of celebration and organizes relevant events.

Photo: My beloved Mom and me!

Greek Poem for Mother's day:

"Mother! No other word is found with so much harmony in its sound.

Who could have listened to you with a cold chest, divine name?"

From Gerasimos Markoras (with my own free translation)