Greek independence day and celebration of the annunciation of Mary. This day marks both a political and a religious event. It celebrates the successful Greek War of Independence (1821–1829) against the Turks and is also a religious holiday because it coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation, a celebration of the day that the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was pregnant and would become the mother of Jesus Christ. The two events were combined in 1838 by King Otto, a German prince who was the first king of the modern Greek state, when he issued this decree: “Considering that the day of March 25, brilliant in itself for all Greeks because of the celebration of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is also brilliant and joyful for the start of the pro-independence struggle of the Greek Nation on this day, we establish this day in perpetuity as a day of NATIONAL HOLIDAY.” The holiday is celebrated in Gavalochori with a religious service in the morning in the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus.

Celebration of Jesus’s return to Jerusalem, where he was greeted by people waving palm branches. On this last Sunday of Lent and the Sunday before Easter, worshippers return from church services with small crosses woven of palm and myrtle made by the priest and/or women in Gavalochori.