Laboratory of Special Professional Education and Training
| Comenius 2 year 2009-11 "We are Communicating Culture, learning about other peoples lives in Europe" Christmas in Greece |
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Christmas in Greece
Traditionally the Christmas holiday period lasts 12 days in Greece. There are many customs associated with the "twelve day of Christmas," some very old and others relatively recent, like the decorated tree and the turkey on the Christmas-day table. Historically, in 354 A.D. it was arranged for the birth of Christ to be celebrated on December 25, the same day that they celebrated the birth of the ancient god Mithra, known as the "invincible sun god" and god of all solar deities in idolatry. With the change, and the turning of people towards other gods, the popularity of the "invincible sun god" dropped and Christ took his place. CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN CRETE AND GREECEChristmas in Greece, or "the holidays," are not what they were 40 years ago. Over the years we notice a universal culture developing as the western European customs spread more and more change. In some cases, it caused the elimination of local customs in certain areas - even entire countries. Today Christmas in Greece appears more impressive, glossier and more glamorous. Store windows are decorated almost a month in advance, and in the cities the streets and town squares are lit with colourful lights. Also, many people now travel either abroad or around Greece to places which offer winter holidays. Greeks will party at clubs, at bouzoukia, which have almost disappeared in Crete, or stay at home and watch some impressive holiday show on television. But on Christmas Day, all family members gather at the festively set dinner table. The name days of Manolis or Emanuel or Manos or Emanuela are all celebrated on Christmas Day, and friends and relatives will stop by to wish them "many happy returns" or "hronia pola". In olden times, Christmas was simpler, warmer, perhaps much closer to the true spirit of the holiday. Many of the traditions of eons ago continue to exist unchanged, so Christmas in Greece maintains its originality and many of the customs. FASTING AT CHRISTMASIn Greece, a fasting period would start almost 40 days before Christmas. While the fasting was predominately for religious reasons, many considered the period to be a healthful practice as well. The faithful would not eat any animal or its related products, i.e. meat, dairy or eggs. CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONSAs Christmas drew near, preparations began so all would be ready for the big holiday. Houses would be cleaned with extra care, and a few days before Christmas housewives would prepare the Christmas cookies, which would be eaten on Christmas Day when the fasting ended. In the past the honey cookies (melomakarona) were made exclusively for Christmas, while sugar cookies, or kourabiedes (kourabiethes, th as in this), were prepared for the New Year. Today, though, that distinction is not observed and both melomakarona and kourabiedes are prepared and consumed during the Christmas and New Year holidays period. THE CHRISTMAS HOGIn olden times in Crete it was the custom for each family in the village to raise a pig, or "hog" (hiros in Greek), which would be slaughtered on Christmas Eve and served as the main holiday dish the next day. On the second day of Christmas the villagers would cut up the pork meat and make:
The Christmas hog was the basic source of meat for many weeks. Of course, we are referring to a diet particularly poor in meat - the famous Cretan (Mediterranean) diet which provided Cretans of yesteryear with good health and longevity. Nothing was wasted from the Christmas hog, as there was a use for each piece of the animal. Even the bladder, or "balloon" as it's known, would be washed out and cleaned, then blown up and used as a ball - a precious gift for the children of that day. In many areas around Greece in the past, parts of the pig would be used as a basis for several home remedies, while other pieces were used for sooth-saying. The slaughterer, or one on the elders in a diviner role, would study and interpret the animal's entrails. Then he would make predictions of the future for such things as the home, the harvest and the weather. NOTE 1: The custom of the turkey for Christmas arrived in Europe from Mexico in 1824 A. D. It is now widely used in Greece and has almost replaced the pork meat for holiday fare - but not completely. NOTE 2: The folklore writer Kostas Karapatakis, in his book "The Christmastide, Old Christmas Customs and Traditions," reports that the Romans would sacrifice pigs to the gods Dimitra and Kronos so they would favor them in cultivating the land. This would take place from December 17 through 25, which was also the period for slaughtering the animals until a few years ago.
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PROTOHRONIA, NEW YEAR DAY IN GREECE
After
Christmas, the children impatiently await the New Year (Protohronia
) because that's when St. Basil (
Ayios Vasilis )
delivers their gifts.
In Greece it is the custom to exchange gifts on the New Year instead of Christmas. The presents are delivered by Saint Basil (Agios Vasilis). Agios Vasilis is the Greek Santa Claus.
On New Year's Eve in Greece it is customary for most people to gather in the town's center, or plaza, for last minute shopping or just a pleasant stroll. On the main roads, teenagers and other young ones create a maniacal scene by declaring a bloodless war on each other, using plastic clubs, giant plastic hammers, foam spray and whistles as "weapons."
Later, all the friends gather at one of their houses to ring in the New Year together.
CARDPLAYING ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
Because Greeks consider the New Year lucky, it is the custom to participate in games of chance on the first day. In addition to the state lottery which raffles 10 million euros on New Year's Day, people play cards and roll dice in coffeehouses, clubhouses and homes throughout the country.
In the homes it is also the custom for cards to be played on New Year's Eve while waiting for the year to change. The betting sums are usually kept low, so as to offer a friendly diversion without upsetting the losers.
THE NEW YEAR CAKE (VASILOPITA) WITH THE GOLDEN COIN
The
cutting of the
vasilopita
is one of the few
primordial customs still surviving. In the Kronia (the celebration
of the god Kronos, who was worshiped in Greece) and the Saturnalia
of Rome, sweets and cakes would be prepared with a coin inside. The
one who received the piece with the coin would be the lucky one of
the group . . .
The Orthodox tradition combined this custom with the New Year cake. On New Year's Eve everyone gathers around waiting for the vasilopita to be cut as the new year rolls in. When the time comes the father, in a solemn ceremony, starts to cut the cake. The first piece is for Christ, the second for the house, and then pieces for everyone present. The one who gets the piece with the coin will be the lucky one of the year!
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
During the entire holiday period attendance in bars and clubs is much higher as people go out at night to celebrate. On New Year's Eve especially, you can't get a foot in these nightspots after midnight , and the streets are so crowded that the cars move at a snail's pace. The fun and excitement continues until sunrise.
FIREWORKS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
In recent years elaborate firework displays have been established in the central squares of the cities throughout Greece . They are organized responsibly by the various municipalities, who also put up festive decorations and sponsor musical events for the Eve's celebrations
Vasilopita, New Year's Cake in Greece
vasilopita
Vasilopita is the Greek New Year's cake. Vasilopita is associated with Saint Basil's day on January 1 in Greece.
On New Year's Day
families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good
luck for the new year.
It is traditional to bake a coin into the Vasilopita (St. Basil's
cake). The one who receives the coin is considered to be especially
blessed for the year. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of
the family and any visitors present at the time. Slices are also cut
for various other people or groups, depending on local and family
tradition. They may include St. Basil and other saints, the Virgin
Mary, the Church and the poor.
Vasilopita is made in honor of a beautiful act of charity by St. Basil to the poor and needy of his flock. In order to insure that the needy would have money for life's necessities, and knowing that the needy were also proud people, St. Basil had the ladies of his church bake sweet bread with coins baked into them. In this way he could give them money without demeaning them at all.
Vasilopita Recipe
INGREDIENTS :
1 cup fresh milk
2 teaspoons yeast
4 eggs, separated
1 cup milk-butter, melted
1 ½ cup sugar
1 envelope mahlepi, crushed
Zest of 1 lemon
1 level teaspoon salt
1 kilo flour
Handful of blanched almonds
Preheat oven to 180c
• In a large tub pour half a cup of lukewarm milk and dissolve the yeast in it. Add ½ cup flour and stir to mix. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for about an hour.
• While the dough is rising, beat the egg yokes with the sugar in an electric mixer or food processor and set aside. Beat the egg whites into a meringue. To the risen dough, add yoke/sugar mixture, the remainder of the milk, the meringue, butter, mahlepi and zest. Knead until all is well mixed, adding the remainder of the flour a little at a time so the dough won't be too tight. Shape the dough into several balls, place in a bowl, cover it with a towel and leave in a warm place for about 3 hours until it doubles in size.
• Knead the dough for 5 minutes more and place in a large round oiled pan (or two smaller ones) and leave covered in a warm place until it doubles in size again.
• Before placing in oven, beat the yoke of 1 egg with a teaspoon of water and brush it on the dough with a pastry brush. Then, using the blanched almonds, form the "new" date on the top of the dough. Bake for about 30/40 minutes, or until Vasilopita looks well browned.
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Kalikanztaroi, The Greek Christmas Sprites
Kalikantzaroi are nasty With a big saw, they compete to cut down the huge wooden stake which holds the earth in place. But the column is very thick and the sawing seems to go on forever. Right before Christmas, however, Kalikantzaroi almost accomplish their mission and the column seems ready to fall. Overjoyed by their almost successful effort, but also fearful that the earth will topple over on their heads, they rush to the top to bother and annoy the people. Thousands of these creatures come up to the surface from every hole or crack they can find. However, Kalikantzaroi are very much afraid of the light, so they hide during the day. But at night - that's when they strike! As soon as it's dark, they scramble from their hiding places to taunt and menace people. Because Kalikantzaroi are small, some even very tiny, they can get into the homes through chimneys, keyholes, even from the little cracks on windows and doors.
Kalikantzaroi, their history Their name Kalikantzaros (singular of Kalikantzaroi) comes from the adjective, kalos, meaning good, and kantharos, the word for beetle. The beginning of the myth regarding the Christmas Sprites can be found in ancient times. The people of that time believed that when the souls in Hades found the door open they would come up to our world and make the rounds among people without any restrictions. Much later the Byzantines celebrated with music, song and masquerading. Because the people hid their faces they were shameless and behaved boldly. They would bother people on the street, and go into the homes uninvited, pestering the people by continuously asking for sausages and sweets. The homeowners would slam the doors and shut the windows, but the persistent masqueraders would always find a point of entry - like coming down the chimney. All this activity would occur during the 12 days of Christmas and on the Epiphany. Then, after the big sanctification all would become calm again as the people settled back down into their normal routine. Kalikantzaroi disappear during the celebration of the lights, after the waters are blessed by the priests. As those pesky little creatures depart, you can hear them saying: "Leave we shall, because the crazy priest has arrived with his incense burner and his holy water sprinkler . . ."
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In
Greece
when we talk about the "holidays" we are referring to the holiday
period of
Christmas,
New Year and
Epiphany.
Traditionally the Christmas holiday period lasts 12 days in Greece. There are many customs associated with the "twelve day of Christmas," some very old and others relatively recent, like the decorated tree and the turkey on the Christmas-day table.
Historically, in 354 A.D. it was arranged for the birth of Christ to be celebrated on December 25, the same day that they celebrated the birth of the ancient god Mithra, known as the "invincible sun god" and god of all solar deities in idolatry. With the change, and the turning of people towards other gods, the popularity of the "invincible sun god" dropped and Christ took his place.
Christmas in Greece, or "the holidays," are not what they were 40 years ago. Over the years we notice a universal culture developing as the western European customs spread more and more change. In some cases, it caused the elimination of local customs in certain areas - even entire countries.
Today Christmas in Greece appears more impressive, glossier and more glamorous. Store windows are decorated almost a month in advance, and in the cities the streets and town squares are lit with colourful lights. Also, many people now travel either abroad or around Greece to places which offer winter holidays.
Greeks will party at clubs, at bouzoukia, which have almost disappeared in Crete, or stay at home and watch some impressive holiday show on television. But on Christmas Day, all family members gather at the festively set dinner table.
The name days of Manolis or Emanuel or Manos or Emanuela are all celebrated on Christmas Day, and friends and relatives will stop by to wish them "many happy returns" or "hronia pola".
In olden times, Christmas was simpler, warmer, perhaps much closer to the true spirit of the holiday. Many of the traditions of eons ago continue to exist unchanged, so Christmas in Greece maintains its originality and many of the customs.
In Greece, a fasting period would start almost 40 days before Christmas. While the fasting was predominately for religious reasons, many considered the period to be a healthful practice as well. The faithful would not eat any animal or its related products, i.e. meat, dairy or eggs.
As Christmas drew near, preparations began so all would be ready for the big holiday. Houses would be cleaned with extra care, and a few days before Christmas housewives would prepare the Christmas cookies, which would be eaten on Christmas Day when the fasting ended.
In the past the honey cookies (melomakarona) were made exclusively for Christmas, while sugar cookies, or kourabiedes (kourabiethes, th as in this), were prepared for the New Year. Today, though, that distinction is not observed and both melomakarona and kourabiedes are prepared and consumed during the Christmas and New Year holidays period.
In olden times in Crete it was the custom for each family in the village to raise a pig, or "hog" (hiros in Greek), which would be slaughtered on Christmas Eve and served as the main holiday dish the next day.
On the second day of Christmas the villagers would cut up the pork meat and make:
The Christmas hog was the basic source of meat for many weeks. Of course, we are referring to a diet particularly poor in meat - the famous Cretan (Mediterranean) diet which provided Cretans of yesteryear with good health and longevity.
Nothing was wasted from the Christmas hog, as there was a use for each piece of the animal. Even the bladder, or "balloon" as it's known, would be washed out and cleaned, then blown up and used as a ball - a precious gift for the children of that day.
In many areas around Greece in the past, parts of the pig would be used as a basis for several home remedies, while other pieces were used for sooth-saying. The slaughterer, or one on the elders in a diviner role, would study and interpret the animal's entrails. Then he would make predictions of the future for such things as the home, the harvest and the weather.
NOTE 1: The custom of the turkey for Christmas arrived in Europe from Mexico in 1824 A. D. It is now widely used in Greece and has almost replaced the pork meat for holiday fare - but not completely.
NOTE 2: The folklore writer Kostas Karapatakis, in his book "The Christmastide, Old Christmas Customs and Traditions," reports that the Romans would sacrifice pigs to the gods Dimitra and Kronos so they would favor them in cultivating the land. This would take place from December 17 through 25, which was also the period for slaughtering the animals until a few years ago.
GREEK
CHRISTMAS
CAROLSThe singing of Christmas carols is a custom which is preserved in its entirety to this day.
Children still go from house to house in twos or more singing the carols, while accompanied by the sounds of the triangle, even guitars, accordions, lyres or harmonicas.
Read more about the Greek Christmas carols, and listen to the traditional Christmas carols of Crete
Today almost everyone buys and decorates a Christmas tree in Greece, whether it be real or artificial. Usually they are decorated a few days before Christmas and remain in the homes until Epiphany.
The Christmas tree, assumed to be foreign, may even have some Greek roots. Use of decorated greenery and branches around New Year is recorded as far back as in Greek antiquity.
In older times, this custom did not exist in Crete and in some other parts of Greece they would decorate little boats instead.
In this photo you can see a Christmas tree and a Christmas boat displayed in a central square of Thessaloniki, northern Greece. (source AFP).
Kourabiedes Greek Christmas Cookies
Recipe for Kourabiedes
INGREDIENTS:
2 kilos soft flour
1 kilo butter
300 grams powdered sugar
300 grams crushed roasted almonds
1 small glass cognac
1 teaspoon baking soda
Rosewater
Preheat oven to medium (175c).
• Whiten the butter by beating by hand for ½ hour. Add the sugar, cognac, almonds and finally the flour, mixed with the baking soda. Continue to beat until all ingredients are well mixed.
• Mold into the familiar shapes of the kourambiethes and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with rosewater, then roll in the powder sugar.
Melomakarona Greek Christmas Cookies
Recipe for Melomakarona
INGREDIENTS
2 cups oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1 cup fine semolina
1 kilo soft flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
Lemon and Orange zest
Simple syrup: (In a pot, mix together 1 cup each of water, honey and sugar and
bring to boil while stirring constantly.)
Crushed walnuts
Preheat oven to 200c
How to say Merry Christmas in Greek
If you want to wish "Merry Christmas" to someone in Greece, then you should say: Kala Hristouyienna.
If you want to wish "Happy New Year " to someone in Greece, then you should say: Kali Hronia.
For "Happy New Year Day" in Greek you should say "Kali Protohronia".
If your friend is called Manolis or Hristos, his nameday is on December 25 (Christmas day). Wish him "Hronia Polla" (Many Happy Returns) for his nameday.
The same applies if your friend is called Vassilis, Yiannis or Fotis. Vassilis nameday is on January 1, Fotis' nameday is on January 6, Yiannis' nameday is on January 7.
During Christmas holiday period, which lasts from December 24 until January 6, plus a couple of weeks past that, it is a custom in Greece to wish "Hronia Polla" to the people you meet. So, if you meet someone in the morning, the proper way to greet him or her is: Kalimera, Hronia Polla! (Good morning, Many Happy Returns).
Epiphany in Greece
Epiphany in Greece is known as Theofania or Fota. The first sanctification of the Epiphany (The Enlightenment) takes place in church on the eve of the holiday. Afterwards, the priest goes from house to house holding a cross and a basil branch. As he walks through each house, he uses the basil to sprinkle (bless) all the areas of the home.
An old custom in Crete , which is almost forgotten today, was the preparation of the fotokoliva (boiled wheat with peas) on the eve of Epiphany. The fotokoliva was eaten by the people, but they also fed it to their livestock, which was believed to insure good health and fortune in the homes.
The big sanctification takes place the following day, January 6, the day of the Epiphany in Greece.
A long procession is formed and follows whatever road that leads to a body of water - the sea, a river or even a reservoir. Up in front of the procession are the cherub icons, followed by the priests dressed in their best holiday splendor, then the VIPs, followed by all the people. In the bigger cities, the procession becomes more elaborate with the addition of music and military contingents.
At the end of the sanctification ceremony a priest throws a cross into the water, thus blessing the waters.
Then, those who dare - mostly the younger people of the village - jump in the usually icy water and compete in retrieving the cross. The one who brings the cross up to the surface will enjoy good luck and health for the entire year.
(Video: Blessing of the Waters)
The Greek language is considered as one of the most difficult languages to learn. This page is not going to teach you how to speak Greek but you can learn some basic Greek words and phrases in order to impress your friends in Crete. As it happens in every country, people in Crete will be glad to hear you trying to speak their language. Even if all you can say is "kalimera" or "Yassou", people will smile and open up.
Learn Greetings in Greek:
In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script
kali me ra = good morning. Used both when coming to and going away from a place.
kali spe ra = good afternoon. Used only when coming to a place or meeting someone in the evening or at night.
kali ni hta = good night. Used only as a goodbye greeting in the evening or at night.
he rete (e as in egg) = hello, used between 10:00 and 14:00
ya ssou = hello or goodbye (greeting to one person or a friend)
ya ssas = hello or goodbye (greeting to more persons or a more formal and polite way to greet an unknown person)
a di o = goodbye
Ya ssou fi le mou Ni ko = Hello my friend Niko, an easy way to please a Greek friend of yours.
Learn the names of Towns and Places in Crete and Greece
In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script
E lla tha = Greece
E llinas = Greek (man)
Elli ni tha = Greek (woman)
Kri ti = Crete
kriti ko s = Cretan man
kritiki a = Cretan woman
I ra klio = Heraklion
Hani a = Chania
Re thimno = Rethymnon
A yios Ni ko laos = Agios Nikolaos
Si ti a = Sitia
Kno ssos = Knossos
Fe stos = Festos
Samari a = Samaria (Gorge). Most tourist guides call it Sama ri a which is wrong. The emphasis is on the last syllable.
Learn the Greek Numbers:
- Count in Greek, Flash Movie with all Numbers in Greek
In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script
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e na = one thi o = two tri a = three te ssera = four pe nte = five e ksi = six e pta or e fta = seven o kto = eight en nia = nine the ka = ten e ntheka = eleven tho theka = twelve theka-tri a = thirteen theka-te ssera = 14 theka-pe nte = 15 theka-e ksi = 16 theka-e pta = 17 theka-o kto = 18 theka-en nia = 19 ei kossi = 20 eikossi-e na = 21 |
tri a nta = 30 ssa ra nta = 40 pe ni nta = 50 e ksi nta = 60 evtho mi nta = 70 o gtho nta = 80 ene ni nta = 90 eka to = 100 eka ton the ka pe nte = 115 eka ton pe ni nta tri a = 153 thia ko ssia = 200 tria ko ssia = 300 tetra ko ssia = 400 penta ko ssia = 500 eksa ko ssia = 600 epta ko ssia = 700 okta ko ssia = 800 enia ko ssia = 900 hi lia = 1000 e na ekato mi rio = one million e na thisekato mi rio = one billion |
Learn the colours in Greek
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Greek Colours a spro, lef ko = white ma vro = black ko kkino = red mple = blue ki trino = yellow pra ssino = green ka fe = brown mov = purple ga la zio = light blue |
Countries Alva ni a = Albania Ameri ki = USA Ang li a = England Finla nthi a = Finland Ga lli a = France Iapo ni a = Japan Ispa ni a = Spain Ita li a = Italy Kana tha s = Canada Ki na = China Norvi yi a = Norway Olla nthi a = Holland Polo ni a = Polland Ro ssi a = Russia Soui thi a = Sweden Tha ni a = Denmark Tou rki a = Turkey Ve lyio = Belgium Voulga ri a = Bulgaria Yerma ni a = Germany |
Learn Common Greek Phrases
In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script
Efhari sto = Thank you
Paraka lo = Your Welcome
Mi la te Angli ka? = Do you speak English?
Mi la te Yermani ka? = Do you speak German?
Then katala ve no = I don't understand
Pos se le ne? = What is your name?
Me le ne ... = My name is ...
A po pou ei sai? = Where are you from?
Ei mai apo An gli a = I am from England
The lo ena ka fe = I want a coffee
The lo ena tsa i = I want a tea
The lo mia mpi ra = I want a beer
The lo e na po to = I want a drink
The lo e na tho ma tio = I want a room
E hete tho ma tio? = Do you have a room?
ya mia me ra = for one day
ya thi o me res = for two days
ya mia vtho ma tha = for one week
ya thi o vtho ma thes = for two weeks
Po so ka nei? = How much is it?
Po so hro sta o = How much do I owe?
Logaria smo paraka lo = The bill, please.
Mpo ro na bga lo mia fotogra fi a? = May I take a photo?
E la = Come
Fi ye = Go away! (fi as in fish, ye as in yellow)
I se o morfi = you are beautiful
M 'a re seis = I like you
S 'aga po = I love you
M 'aga pas? = Do you love me?
A ga pi mou = My love, Darling
Fi lise me = kiss me
Fi li = kiss
Fi los / F i li = friend (male) / (female). Pay attention to the small difference from "kiss".
E ho fi lo = I have a boyfriend
Ei mai pantre me ni = I am married (female)
The Greek Alphabet and the sounds of the Greek letters
- The Sound of the letters of the Greek Alphabet, Flash Movie with the Greek letters
Combinations of letters (Greek diphthongs):
Greek words used in the English language
Many words used in English and other European languages come from Greek words. Here are some examples: apathy, basic, basis, cartographer, crisis, democratic, dialogue, enthusiasm, enthusiastic, geography, geometry, harmony, harmonic, history, magic, method, organ, organisation, organize, oxymoron, pachyderm, pathos, politics , problem, strategic, technology, telepathy, telephone, titanic.
A great percentage of medical terminology is also Greek:
In 1957 and 1959, the Greek economist Professor Xenophon Zolotas, Governor of the bank of Greece and Governor of the Funds for Greece, delivered two speeches in English using Greek words only. As Prof. Zolotas said:
"` I always wished to address this Assembly in Greek, but I realized that it would have been indeed Greek to all present in this room. I found out, however, that I could make my address in Greek which would still be English to everybody . With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I shall do it now, using with the exception of articles and prepositions only Greek words ".
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