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Independence Day 25th March in Hydra Island Greece
Marching past the donkeysIndependence Day 25th March is a very important day in the Greek calendar, as not only is it the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary but is also the Greek Independence Day. This religious and national, holiday is known as Evangelismós and most people bearing the name of Evangelos or Evangelia will celebrate this day as their name day. On this day in 1821, Germanos, the Bishop of Patras hoisted the Greek flag in defiance of the Turks at the Monastery of Ayia Lavra.
This symbolic action was enough to prompt the War of Independence against the occupying Turkish forces.
Independence Day Wreath LayingIt is celebrated in Hydra with lots of enthusiasm especially by the school children who lay wreaths in front of the statues in the monastary confines and at the Miaoulis Statue which dominates the entrance to the port. All classes from all of the schools, including the students of the historical Merchant Seaman's College, carry the island's flags in parades along the port front starting from the main Monastary in the port at about 11:00am.