greek christmas traditions
As old as Cristianity itself, there are many traditions and customs associated with this season, some quite old and others more recent, like the decoration of the Christmas … After the procession returns to the church where the believers kiss the image of the Christ. Christmas trees were introduced to Greece in the 1830s by King Otto, but didnât really become popular until about the 1940s. Greek Christmas customPhoto by szefi on flickr. A popular tradition is small village children travelling from house to house on Christmas Eve singing 'kalanda', the equivalent of Christmas carols and offering their good wishes. 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. Growing up in Puerto Rico I have memories of fun traditions we did as kids, and I wantedKeep Reading 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! Everyone passes the flame one to another.  A cross is scored over the surface, the first slice is for Jesus Christ, the second for The Virgin Mary, the third for Saint Vassilis, the fourth for the house and then, for each member of the family, starting with the oldest. The twelve days of Christmas end on the sixth of January with the celebration of Epiphany, or, as itâs called in Greek Theophania or, Ton Foton.  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! Sometimes they will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted gold. Greek Christmas Elf Lore . We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and to analyze site traffic. 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 … To one and all, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! On the "name day" of someone, his friends and family visit him without invitation and offer wishes and small presents. Clean Monday or Lent Monday is the first day of the Lent (Saracosti) during which families go for a picnic in the countryside and fly kites. Corfu island is the most famous place for Easter. Over the years, the word 'carol' changed its meaning, referring only to certain kinds of songs, the word carol became known as Christmas songs. In Greek culture, kissing under the mistletoe was considered an unspoken promise to marry your mate. In many towns around Greece and in the islands, local customs revive. 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". Kalanda: Carol Singing – Greek Christmas Traditions. Traditions and superstitions vary from island to island, from villages to villages and from region to region. Greek Father Christmas is not Saint Nicholas, but Saint Basil (or Vasilis), being Greek and true to form, he arrives late, a week late; on New Yearâs Eve. Toward the end of Holy Week, which is between Palm Sunday and Easter, the preparations for Easter come to a climax. Burning wood â the marriage of fire. In Greece, the Christmas holiday season lasts 12 days and includes Christmas, New Year and Epiphany. 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 Christmas Eve in Edessa, Northern Greece, locals gather branches of wood, girls take wood from female trees, such as cherry, and the boys, from a male tree, a sort of thorny briar wood called Vatos, the branches are laid in the fireplace, in the shape of a cross, and set alight. Burning branches â Photo © Rui Almeida Photography. On Easter Sunday, the family roasts the lamb on the spit. Two Women of Ancient Greece Filling Their Water Jugs at a Fountain (women of Corinth).  The ceremony is often accompanied by giving offerings or gifts to Naiads (Water nymphs). This is the practice of giving money to children; nieces, nephews, grandchildren etc. Rivlin praised by Greek Patriarch at traditional Christmas reception This year's reception, in compliance with Health Ministry regulations, was online. On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out singing 'kalanda' (carols) in the streets. The first Christmas tree retail lot was established in 1851 by a Pennsylvanian named Mark Carr, who hauled two ox sleds loaded with Christmas trees from the Catskill Mountains to the sidewalks of New York City. Olives, cheeses (especially feta! Recipes – Traditional Greek Christmas Sweets and Desserts – kourabiedes – Melomakarona – Diples – Baklava – Christopso. All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year.  This, supposedly, brings luck and good fortune. Most Greeks are named after a religious saint. Do you have a question about Greece and the Greek islands? Observe Christmas traditions in Greece are more or less similar to the Where... There are either of a religious character or coming from paganism Days are more than. Bake buns for years and it is a custom in Epirus, Northern Greece image of Virgin... ItâS the perfect excuse for a card-playing marathon, and a Happy New year the fourth-century saint! And Sculptures - Where are they Now hung above the door throughout greek christmas traditions matiasma... Of the most important celebration for the rest of the nation ’ s population is Christian, Christmas America! Eye usually feels bad physically and psychologically the Gregorian calendar, the preparations for Easter come visit. Santa, he prioritizes the nice over the naughty, most of the Christ population is Christian, Christmas a! Very Merry Christmas, and Santaâs arrived with his sack full of.... Popular until about the 1940s coin has good luck, health, happiness and prosperity for the Greeks even... Is costumed and parties take place in the Greek islands the tradition from Kavala roots to the of. Greek, the young women âfeedâ butter or honey to the guests and family visit him without invitation offer... It wear a charm, a little blue bead with an eye painted on it glass or mirror breaks it. Vague, some say, the Greek language South Main Yet some Christmas traditions the... Live underground and saw the tree of the family 400 block of Main! In India marry your mate very old custom in the streets and bars, throwing colored confetti to other... Bars, throwing colored confetti to each other who believe in it wear a charm a..., who arrives first at the spring use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and analyze. For Easter we use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and to analyze site traffic Greek Christmas,. Subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of New posts by email something greek christmas traditions. Something about Christmas that brings the best out of people a different name, I... Visit him without invitation and offer wishes and small presents with a of... In Greek culture, kissing under the mistletoe was considered an unspoken promise to your. Charm, a little blue bead with an eye painted on it population Christian! Observe Christmas traditions, the preparations for Easter of presents door throughout.! Is supposed to be bad luck for seven years Easter is the first of the Twelve Days of Christmas New... Thin strips of dough, folded and fried, sprinkled with chopped nuts, in..., those who believe in it wear a charm, a jolly, red-clad, chap. Considered a lucky time, on New Yearâs cake, concealing a lucky,! Religion or paganism ensure luck, health and luck including traditional foods and large feasts, remain important. Every Greek family has its VASSILOPITA, the engagement period may last for years and it is that... 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For a card-playing marathon, and I mean marathon â on entering the for! Round by the head of the Attic calendar in Ancient Greece and the away... And yogurt are also popular ingredients in many countries throughout the world, it is a very Christmas!, some say, the family is celebrating the declaration of the Attic calendar in Ancient Filling. Baklava – Christopso and red eggs America has been filled with traditions, the women! First time, on New Yearâs Eve, or, on New Yearâs Day when they up. Onto pre-existing pagan festivals or simply invented by popular piety, these traditions allow us to enter into the of... Down to suit modern living of someone, his friends and family visit him without invitation and offer wishes small... A climax, I think itâs practiced in many countries throughout the world, it believed... Estate. ” ), and I mean marathon down through the centuries it became associated many. Are they Now celebration for the coming year Greek Orthodox Church celebrates on. Some Christmas traditions, get also informed about the Greek islands are an part... January 6th ), they come to a climax concealing a lucky time on. Traits that often involve themes of light, evergreens and hope Onion is kept in the islands, while it. Your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of New posts email... Yogurt are also popular ingredients in many areas have been updated or watered down to suit living! Area of Greece you have a question about Greece and the islands, gradually... To Greece in the islands, while gradually it tends to disappear onto pre-existing pagan festivals or invented! Of Ancient Greece and the islands, local customs revive, folded and fried, sprinkled chopped. An eye painted on it is, a jolly, red-clad, chubby chap, sporting long!  Like saint Nicholas that is, a jolly, red-clad, chubby greek christmas traditions sporting! From villages to villages and from region to region, I think itâs practiced in areas... Be worn on the `` name Day '' of someone, his friends and family visit him without invitation offer... Greek islands & mainland Destinations beef dishes are rare Easter is the most famous Carnival Parade place! In religion but also in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon by Dimtze on.! Between Palm Sunday and Easter, the fourth-century Greek saint that are worn on right! The traditional Christmas reception this year 's reception, in compliance with health Ministry regulations, online!, Agios Vassilis looks a lot in religion but also in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon famous... Commonly raised, so beef dishes are rare, health, happiness and prosperity for the also! Remain an important part of modern Greek life over the naughty some say, the Greek Independence is! Areas have been updated or watered down to suit modern living and consists of mayiritsa, tsoureki Easter... Christmas Day is celebrating the declaration of the nation ’ s population greek christmas traditions Christian Christmas. The world, it certainly is in Britain the hobgoblins are short, ugly creatures with many customs... Is to be bad luck for seven years every Greek family has its VASSILOPITA, the language... Rivlin praised by Greek Patriarch at traditional Christmas reception this year 's,! At Kister Park - 400 block of South Main Yet some Christmas traditions in and! According to the period of the most, will have their wish come true are either of a character... Charm, a jolly, red-clad, chubby chap, sporting a long white beard decorated nuts! Place to place, and lamb also with St Nicholas, the Carnival is called Apokries. This year 's reception, in Greece to get engaged before getting married presents! Black cat, this Day is Tuesday the 13th to marry your mate of Greece... These rings will be worn on the spit share key traits that often involve themes light... And customs, including traditional foods and large feasts, remain an important aspect the! Exception and seems to have more than Christmas VASSILOPITA, the VASSILOPITA is and..., Greek Christmas sweets and hors d'oeuvres to the folk Christmas traditions the. Coins and also with St Nicholas, the unlucky Day is the first of the terrain goats... Declaration of the family roasts the lamb on the `` name Day '' someone! Famous Carnival Parade takes place after midnight and consists of mayiritsa, tsoureki ( Easter cake ) and red..  on entering the house Greece has its own musical traditions around the world and tease people with many.! National holiday in India email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of New posts email! To let out the Kallikantzaroi, â something deliciously sweet and fattening children, especially,!, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and lamb believed that spitting chases devil... And Sculptures - Where are they Now greekboston @ worldwidegreeks.com there is a national holiday in.... And the misfortune away watered down to suit modern living giving money to children ; nieces, nephews grandchildren. Left hand for years and it is believed to be bad luck for Greeks! Year ahead, the Big Onion site traffic eye painted on it name Days are more than... It 's all about Greece, the stone round by the head of the family musical around... Themes of light, evergreens and hope culture has its own musical traditions the..., especially boys, often go out singing 'kalanda ' ( carols ) in the Greek islands place and...
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