Many businesses keep going, as I mentioned, during the fortnight's holiday period in August these days. But today, August 15th, is a very important religious public holiday in Cyprus. So most of the shops are closed, our neighbours' building work has stopped, and the dustmen didn't come this morning to collect the rubbish. We even heard that some Cypriots won't play tennis today as it's such a holy day.
As an Anglican for most of my life, I thought the Feast of the Assumption was a Roman Catholic thing, but apparently the Greek Orthodox church celebrates it too, and takes it very seriously. It's related to the death of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Legend has it that when she died, her body as well as her soul went straight to heaven. Someone told a friend that it's the second most holy day of the year for them, although I don't know how accurate that is.
Richard is working as usual, and we're going to the beach tonight with some friends from one of the churches; no doubt we'll find plenty of tourist shops and restaurants open on the sea-front, even if it is a specially holy day.
(PS If you've found this post by searching, and want to know about other religious holidays, one of the pages on one of my websites is about public holidays in Cyprus)
4 comments:
This week's Walsall Observer (one of three weekly local free newspapers) has a full page article on Northern Cyprus - the Turkish side. Three colour photos supplement the excellent travel article. I still enjoy all your different webs and blogs. Blessings, Lynda
They wouldn't play tennis?? Hahaha
Yeah holy day indeed.
I'm telling you, living abroad for five years or so, we have totally forgotten about this holiday. I'm struggling to remember now that I read about it!
:^)
Hi sue,
I couldn't find your email in your profile and so i thought to leave you a comment. I'm Panicos Demetriou and live in Larnaca. I made a blog called the Cyprus Community Blog which all the Cypriot bloggers will meet up and discuss Cyprus. I wanted to ask u if you want to join in. Have your link there and help find more Cypriot bloggers and add the in. Find me at pani794@gmail.com
I am 13 years old and I study at the American Academy.
Please reply
What a great blog. I would like to here from people who own holiday homes in Cyprus and who have concerns about home security in Cyprus. We are looking to use Interwatch Security to provide us surveillance
Someone has told me that crime is on the rise
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