25 Jan ’08 – Having lived in Hydra for 18 years, I’m still learning about new events every day! Knowing that the same orthodox name day celebration can occur twice during the year, I only learnt three days ago that the name day for Grigoris happens not just on the 10th January (as I had put on the event calendar) but also today, the 25th January. Today was a local name day for Grigoris celebrated solely in Hydra.

Every year, Ayios Grigoris church celebrates its name day. Situated in the grounds of the 2nd Primary school, all the students from both schools in Hydra gather for the church service. (It also means no lessons!). Parents and locals are welcomed too.

It was the first time that I had ever been to this particular church. All the windows had been decorated with red flowers and it looked stunning. Standing nearer the back, I was fascinated how all the children were so intense on listening to the priest.
After the service everyone collected holy bread and a chocolate sweet.
Huddling into one of the classrooms from the bitter cold, it was a great comfort to drink a hot Greek coffee that was being served!

A few words were then made by ‘papas’ Vagelis to bless the New Year pita. Standing in rows all the children took one by one their very small piece of pita. They ate their small pieces really quickly to see who had the piece with the coin inside! Lucy, (one of the students) was presented from the parent committee of the 2nd Primary school with a prize for finding the lucky coin. 
 
A lovely morning enjoyed by all.

More images can be seen in Ayios Grigoris photo gallery.