Summary

The municipality of Apokoronas has published the official programme for Greek Independence Day on March 25, 2026, with ceremonies in two villages. In Vrysses, a church service starts at 10:00 a.m., followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and parade from 10:30 a.m.; in Vamos, the service begins at 11:00 a.m. with the commemoration and parade from 11:30 a.m. Organisations wishing to lay wreaths must register with the municipality by March 23 by calling 2825340300.

Independence Day 2026: How Apokoronas is marking March 25

The municipality of Apokoronas has set out its programme for Greek Independence Day on March 25, 2026, with official commemorations in Vrysses and Vamos. Flags will fly on all public and municipal buildings from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, through to sunset on March 25. Public buildings will also be illuminated on the evenings of March 24 and 25.

Vrysses: Programme for March 25

Celebrations in Vrysses begin with a church service at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour. From 10:30 a.m., a commemorative ceremony takes place at the War Memorial, including wreath-laying, a minute of silence and the national anthem. Chania lawyer Emmanouil Nikoloudis will then deliver the ceremonial address. The event closes with a parade along the usual route. The ceremony will be led by Nikolaos Kontogiiannis, headmaster of Vrysses Secondary School.

Vamos: Programme for March 25

In Vamos, a church service begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Saint Nikolaos. From 11:30 a.m., the commemorative ceremony at the War Memorial on Vamos square includes wreath-laying, a minute of silence and the national anthem. The address will be delivered by Dionysia Dimopoulou, a teacher at Vrysses Primary School. A parade along the usual route follows. The ceremony will be led by Stylianos Mountakis, president of the Vamos Community Council.

What organisations need to do

Any associations, clubs or organisations wishing to lay a wreath must note the following:

Registration deadline: March 23, 2026

Contact: Municipality of Apokoronas, tel. 2825340300

Required information: name of the representative and the organisation or club

Wreaths: must be at the memorial at least one hour before the ceremony begins — organisations are responsible for this

The Apokoronas police station has been asked to maintain order and prevent vehicles from parking on the squares around the ceremony venues.

All residents, authorities and clubs are invited to attend.

PROGRAMME

Celebration of the National Anniversary of 25 March

For the anniversary of 25 March we set out a programme of celebrations for the entire Municipality with the following events:

General flag display from 8:00 a.m. on the 23rd until sunset on 25 March 2026.

Illumination of all Public and Municipal buildings during the evening hours of 24 and 25 March 2026.

Specifically for Vrysses and Vamos, the programme is as follows:

Vrysses:

Wednesday 25 March 2026

Time 10:00 a.m.

Celebration of a Doxology at the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Vrysses.

Time 10:30 a.m.

Memorial prayer at the Monument of the Fallen
Wreath-laying
Observance of one minute of silence
Playing of the National Anthem
Address on the significance of the celebration by the Chania lawyer Mr Emmanouil Nikoloudis
Parade of units at the usual place of parades

CEREMONY MARSHAL: Appointed is Mr Nikolaos Kontogiiannis, Headmaster of Vrysses Secondary School.

Vamos:

Wednesday 25 March 2026

Time 11:00 a.m.

Celebration of a Doxology at the Holy Church of Saint Nikolaos in Vamos.

Time 11:30 a.m.

Memorial prayer at the Monument of the Fallen in Vamos Square
Wreath-laying
Observance of one minute of silence
Playing of the National Anthem
Address on the significance of the celebration by the teacher of Vrysses Primary School, Ms Dionysia Dimopoulou
Parade of units at the usual place of parades

CEREMONY MARSHAL: Appointed is Mr Stylianos Mountakis, President of the Municipal Community of Vamos.

The Authorities of the city, the Associations, the Clubs and all residents are invited to participate in the celebration of our great National Holiday.

The Apokoronas Police Station is requested to ensure the maintenance of order and the prohibition of parking of vehicles throughout the entire area of the squares.

The preparation and delivery of the wreaths will be carried out by those laying them. The wreaths, under the responsibility of the bodies concerned, must be at the location of the War Memorial at least one (1) hour in advance, and the name of the representative, the body or the association that will lay it must have been declared to the Municipality of Apokoronas at the latest by 23 March (tel: 2825340300).