Volume 1, Issue 1
Christmas 2008
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slightly different.
Take the custom on Christmas Eve for example, where village children travel from house to house offering good wishes and singing 'kalanda', the Byzantine equivalent of Christmas carols.
of wire is suspended across it from which hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it
Most of us know that the patron Saint of Corfu is St Spiridon, whose body was brought to Corfu from Constantinople and subsequently saved the Island from both the plague and the
Turks. On December 11th each year, Corfiots dedicate the day to their Saint and this celebration marks the start of the traditional Christmas period which continues right through until Epiphany on January 6th. This tradition has existed for several centuries and many of the festivities remain unspoilt making the whole of the Christmas period a family-orientated festival almost completely free of commercial pressure.
Second only to Easter as the major religious festival of the year, Christmas, to the orthodox Greeks that make up most of the population, is exactly what it says – a solemn celebration of the birth of Christ. In modern Greece, however, there are many Christmas customs common today that are recognisable by those of us from other countries, and yet they are
Turks. On December 11th each year, Corfiots dedicate the day to their Saint and this celebration marks the start of the traditional Christmas period which continues right through until Epiphany on January 6th. This tradition has existed for several centuries and many of the festivities remain unspoilt making the whole of the Christmas period a family-orientated festival almost completely free of commercial pressure.
Second only to Easter as the major religious festival of the year, Christmas, to the orthodox Greeks that make up most of the population, is exactly what it says – a solemn celebration of the birth of Christ. In modern Greece, however, there are many Christmas customs common today that are recognisable by those of us from other countries, and yet they are
Kalo Xristouyienna
Small metal triangles along with little clay drums are played by children to accompany the songs. Afterwards, they are usually given sweets or coins in appreciation.
In Greek Christmas, the
In Greek Christmas, the
feast itself becomes the main attraction by both adults and children alike. Lamb and pork are roasted in ovens and open spits and, on almost every table, are the large sweet loaves of 'christopsomo' ('Christ bread').
In Greek homes, Christmas trees are more common now than they used to be. In many houses, the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece
In Greek homes, Christmas trees are more common now than they used to be. In many houses, the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece
to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the 'Kallikantzari' (bad spirits) away. Throughout the twelve days of Christmas, many homes keep a fierce fire burning to prevent these ‘bad spirits’ from entering the house via the chimney and thus keep the house free from evil for the rest
of the year. This wouldn’t suit the tradition that many of us follow for Christmas Eve!
As with all things, in all countries, times are changing, but the balance of tradition and commercialism seems to be more under control in Greece and this alone should ensure that the customs we take so much delight in should continue well into the future.
As with all things, in all countries, times are changing, but the balance of tradition and commercialism seems to be more under control in Greece and this alone should ensure that the customs we take so much delight in should continue well into the future.
