25th March is a significant and momentous occasion for the Hellenic people, serving as a national holiday, marked by a dual annual celebration that combines a national anniverary and a major religious feast-day.  Greeks worldwide commemorate the beginning of the 1821 Revolution against Ottoman rule and celebrate their Orthodox faith by observing the Annunciation of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) marking the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ.  On 25th March, the Greeks honour the beginning, not the end, of the 1821 Revolution of the Hellenic people for freedom and independance after 400 years of Ottoman oppression.  The commemoration was officially established on 15th March 1838 by King Othon linking with the significant religious celebration of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.

This date marks the beginning of 'modern' Greek history, symbolising the start of the national rebirth and the creation of an independent Greek state.  It was also the desire of Alexandros Ypsilantis and the Filiki Etairia (Society of Friends) to align the revolution's start with a major ecclesiastical day to boost the morale of the enslaved Greeks.  On a diplomatic level, the Revolution began in late February 1821 in Moldavia (modern Romania), led by Prince Alexandros Ypsilantis (pictured right).  In Greece, the uprising ignited in the Mani region of the Peloponnese and quickly spread to Central Greece and other areas of the country, as well as her islands, especially Spetses, Hydra and Psara.

According to Greek tradition, the Revolution began in Kalavryta at the Aghia Lavra monastery, where Metropolitan Germanos III of Old Patras raised the revolutionary flag on 25th March 1821.  Linking this date with the Annunciation added religious significance to the struggle.  This date was also chosen for practical reasons, as revolutionary activities could be concealed within the religious festivities.  Since 1838, this national anniversary has been celebrated annually on the same day.

25th March is also dedicated to the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, one of the greatest feasts in Christianity.  It commemorates the special day when Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God.  According the the Gospel of Luke, the Archangel sought Mary's consent for the incarnation of the Divine Word.  Though Mary was only betrothed to Joseph and had not been intimate with him, Gabriel explained that this was God's will.  Mary humbly accepted the devine message from God, fulfilling her role as the Mother of Christ. 

This day is a national public holiday in Greece.  Tradition holds that even swallows refrain from building their nests on this day.  In many regions, children remove their red/white 'Martis' bracelets, worn throughout March, and place them on rose bushes or tree branches for swallows to use in their nests. 

In Ermioni, following the Dixology church service, the priests, naval and civil dignitaries walk down to the white marble War Memorial where a further blessing is given, poems and speeches made, followed by a parade/march-by along the Limani main street by children and students from all the local schools.