This Saturday 23th of March, the town of Kalamata celebrates its liberation and the first major battle in the Hellenic War of Independence of 1821.
This day, that Kalamata was liberated by the Othoman Empire troops, is still celebrated in the Messinian capital at Square of March 23 where according to tradition the Revolution was declared and the first liturgy of the liberated Kalamata took place at St. Apostoles church.
The historical center and the St. Apostoles church will be full of visitors watching the historical representation of the occupation of the city that takes place every year.
This year, the Municipality of Kalamata, paying tribute and gratitude to the fighters of the Revolution of 1821 and to those who took part in the liberation of Kalamata, organizes a running race starting at the entrance of the Holy Monastery of Velanidia to the end of the 23rd March in Kalamata.
The festive mood in the town will continue at Monday with a great parade for the Greek Liberation, after 400 years of Turkish occupation in Greece. The parade begins from Square of March 23 and crosses the Aristomenous Street to the Municipal Railway Park of Kalamata.
Also, the same day churches in Messinia, as throughout Greece, celebrate the Annunciation – the revelation by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would bear Jesus, the Son of God. The Feast of the Annunciation is observed nine months before Christmas Day.
The country marks the double holiday with two things: Parades and Bakaliaros (Cod fish). A custom across the country on this day is to eat crispy, fried Cod fish with garlic sauce (Bakaliaros skordalia)! This has to do with the Lent before Easter, where no animals or animal products should be eaten. However, the Orthodox Church allowed an exception for the celebration of the Annunciation and that it the Cod fish!