Do you like All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year.  The ceremony is often accompanied by giving offerings or gifts to Naiads (Water nymphs). The Greeks also thought that it had mystical powers and down through the centuries it became associated with many folklore customs. Just before midnight, all of the lights of the church are turned off, symbolizing the darkness and silent of the tomb, while the priest lights a candle from the Eternal Flame, sings the psalm Christos Anesti (meaning Christ has risen) and offers the flame to light the candles of the people. This helps ensure luck, health, happiness and prosperity for the coming year. There is something about Christmas that brings the best out of people. Different families develop their own Christmas Eve meal traditions, but if you are looking for a traditional meal to latch onto and you happen to be of French descent, consider holding a réveillon, a long dinner full of sumptuous January: Poseidon: the Sixth Month of the Attic Calendar in Ancient Greece and it Belonged to Women! After the wedding, these rings will be worn on the right hand. Top Greek islands & Mainland Destinations, Most popular Greek islands & mainland destinations. That is why when someone talks bad news (deaths, accidents, etc), the others slightly spit three times saying ftou, ftou, ftou. Customs and traditions in Greece and the Greek Islands are an important aspect of the Greek culture. Photo slideshare net. Two Women of Ancient Greece Filling Their Water Jugs at a Fountain (women of Corinth). Recipes – Traditional Greek Christmas Sweets and Desserts – kourabiedes – Melomakarona – Diples – Baklava – Christopso. (Misbehaving children wake up with zero gifts.) The hobgoblins are known as kallikantzari in Greek. 50. Corfu island is the most famous place for Easter. OPENING DAY CEREMONY. During the night of the Holy Saturday (Megalo Savato), everybody dresses well and goes to the church where a ceremony is held. Greek superstitions are coming either from religion or paganism. In Limbo: Filling in Time – Plus wonderful Quotes on the Subject by Wonderful People, Vasilopita – Greek New Year’s Cake: Greek Christmas Customs & Traditions, Ancient Greek myths surrounding the 12 signs of the zodiac, Arcadia – Greece – Nymphs, Naiads and Dryads. It is a custom in Greece to get engaged before getting married. Because of the terrain, goats and sheep are more commonly raised, so beef dishes are rare. The tradition from Kavala roots to the period of the Ottoman Occupation of Greece. On the island of Thassos, burning embers are removed from the fire and put onto a heat â proof surface, then, whilst making a wish, olive, or oak leaves, are spread over the hot embers. The word carol comes from the ancient Greek 'choros', which means "dancing in a circle," and from the Old French word 'carole', meaning "a song to accompany dancing". Mischievous and even dangerous sprites called the Kallikantzaroi (or Callicantzari), prey upon people only during the twelve days of Christmas, between Christmas itself and Epiphany on January 6th.Descriptions of them vary, and in one area they are believed to wear … In the Greek Orthodox faith, Easter is the most sacred observance. ), and yogurt are also popular ingredients in many dishes. The Greek equivalent of the Christmas tree is the ‘karavaki’, or Christmas boat, a wonderful tradition, which after falling out of favour, Iâm glad to say, is making a comebackâ¦big time! The hostess of the house offers pastries, sweets and hors d'oeuvres to the guests. The period is viewed by Christians as the amount of time it took the three magi, or wise men, to travel to Bethlehem for the Epiphany, the revelation of Jesus Christ as the savior and the son of God ("epiphany" is from the Greek word for "revelation"). On the "name day" of someone, his friends and family visit him without invitation and offer wishes and small presents. November 29 at 11:00 AM. The Greeks are very superstitious and believe a lot in religion but also in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon. Nancy Gaifyllia. - 617-752-2547 greekboston@worldwidegreeks.com  All windows are thrown open to let out the Kallikantzaroi, evil spirits, or mischievous Christmas goblins. Statue of Saint Nicholas of Bari in the church of San Francisco, in Betanzos, Galicia, Spain, holding three balls of gold, which represent the legend of the dowry he gave to three unmarried girls. A person who has caught the evil eye usually feels bad physically and psychologically. In Greece, the Carnival is called "Apokries". Greek Naming Tradition: how do babies take their names.  At midnight, it is taken down, and in the morning, the children of the family are whacked on the head with it, in order to wake them up, so they can attend the church service for Saint Vassilis!  This, supposedly, brings luck and good fortune. They vary from region to region. Greek Christmas Customs & Traditions: Vasilopita, Greek New Year’s Cake. Painting by Henry Ryland, Another custom Iâm not familiar with, on New Yearâs Day, all water jugs in the house are emptied and refilled with âSaint Vassiliâsâ waterâ or âSaint Basilâs waterâ. The traditional Christmas stocking also began with coins and also with St Nicholas, the fourth-century Greek saint. On Epiphany Day, the priest of the village goes from house to house and sprinkles the rooms with blessed water so that the hobgoblins return underground. Greeka? Even non-Christians observe Christmas traditions such as lighting oil lamps along the perimeter of the home’s courtyard or roof. Now this is a custom I had not heard of, neither had MGG (My Greek God), but, on seeing a picture of the skeletoura, (Squill, sea onion), I realised I had seen them hanging about in Greek houses, at New Year, usually with the bulb part wrapped in foil. Whilst making a wish, to ensure a sweet year ahead, the young women âfeedâ butter or honey to the spring. But, much like the custom of Santa, he prioritizes the nice over the naughty. But as 2021 approaches, GCT shares some Greek New Year Traditions which we hope will bring health, luck, happiness and prosperity to the New Year! The girl, who arrives first at the spring, will have the most luck. Traditional Christmas Stocking. Also if a glass or mirror breaks, it is believed to be bad luck for seven years. 20 Ancient Greek Myths About 20 Ancient Greek Flowers, Archangels Michael - Gabriel - Raphael - Fallen Angels - Lucifer, Mammon, Asmodeus - A celebration of Angels, 20 Amazing Ancient Greek Inventions Still in Use Today - The Greeks Did it First, 20 of the Funniest and Dirtiest Nonsensical Greek Wisecrack Expressions and Phrases, 20 Everyday English Phrases, Sayings and Idioms With Greek Origins, Meraki - Greek Word of the Day - Doing it With Love, Passion and a Lot of Soul, 26 Famous Movies Filmed in Greece and the Greek Islands, 21 Weird Greek Superstitions - Customs and Traditions. Christmas traditions around the world are diverse, but share key traits that often involve themes of light, evergreens and hope. Spring water – Kalarrytes – Ioannina -Photo by Dimtze on flickr. The couple exchanges wedding rings that are worn on the left hand. who may be present after midnight on New Yearâs Eve, or, on New Yearâs Day when they come to visit. Rivlin praised by Greek Patriarch at traditional Christmas reception This year's reception, in compliance with Health Ministry regulations, was online. Read also: Greek Naming Tradition: how do babies take their names? From Christmas until the Epiphany Day (January 6th), they come up to the world and tease people with many pranks. 52. The preparations and customs, including traditional foods and large feasts, remain an important part of modern Greek life. Burning wood â the marriage of fire. Growing up in Puerto Rico I have memories of fun traditions we did as kids, and I wantedKeep Reading Kalanda: Carol Singing – Greek Christmas Traditions. The Greek Independence Day is celebrating the declaration of the Independence War against the Ottomans on March 25th, 1821. According to the folk Christmas traditions, the hobgoblins are short, ugly creatures with many deformities. Most of the Christmas traditions in Greece are more or less similar to the West.  At the stroke of midnight, someone considered lucky, or a child, due to the fact they are pure and innocent, are sent outside and ordered to re-enter, right foot first, to bring good luck for the following year. And, of course, baklava, layers of phyllo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, covered in sweet syrup. 9 Greek Christmas Food Traditions. To avoid the matiasma, those who believe in it wear a charm, a little blue bead with an eye painted on it. Every culture has its own unique, sometimes quirky, customs and traditions. Saint Vassilis, or Agios Vassilis, has much in common with Saint Nicholas; Both are known for their compassion, kind heartedness and their commitment to helping the unfortunate, both bring gifts around Christmas Time, one, just a little later than the other. It was gathered at both mid-summer and winter solstices, and the custom of using mistletoe to decorate houses at Christmas is a survival of the Druid and other pre-Christian traditions. Christmas traditions include a variety of customs, religious practices, rituals, and folklore associated with the celebration of Christmas.Many of these traditions vary by country or region, while others are universal and practiced in a virtually ubiquitous manner across the world.. Yet some Christmas traditions have a spiritual meaning. Christmas in Greece. Traditions and superstitions vary from island to island, from villages to villages and from region to region. The dates of Hanukkah and Christmas might well be associated, because Kislev 25 was when the Temple was rededicated and the early Church chose December 25th because they took over the birthday of Greek god Zeus/Roman god Jupiter. During this time of the year is all about family and giving and quite honestly is the best time to celebrate and create family traditions. Contemporary Greek culture and traditions are very rich and diverse, reflecting Greece's location at the crossing point where the West meets the East and the country's great and turbulent history. All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year. In fact, the English word for Christmas carol comes from the Greek dance, the Choraulein, which is performed to flute music.Christmas carols were originally sung during festivals all around the world, including in Greece, so this tradition still lives strong in many of the major cities and small villages of the … Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands. Greek food relies heavily on olive oil, wine, fish, and lamb. A very important tradition is that everyone who has a name coming from a saint celebrated by the church celebrates his name on a given day of the year. 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