One of the traditions most commonly associated with Greece is their use of spices in much of their dishes, whether an entree or dessert. During the slaughter, families followed a ritual, ending by painting a pig’s blood cross on children’s heads to protect them from headaches. Of course, the traditional Christmas Tree is as beloved a decorative symbol of the season as it is elsewhere. In some areas, the holiday is preceded by a time of fasting. The carols are one of the most important parts of the Christmas tradition in Greece. The Christmas Boat, Tree, and Nativity Scene. However, as the government crisis unfolded and lingered, celebrations have remained somewhat toned down as Greece attempts to recover from its financial crisis. On Epiphany, the ceremonial blessing of the waters by the local priest was believed to settle the nasty creatures until the next year. At the same time, its symbolic meaning is to bring a productive year to the household,” he adds. Sometimes they will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted gold. Also popular is bread called Christopsomo that has a cross design baked into it and is eaten after Christmas dinner. 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 … Greece has been an oasis of non-commercialism when it comes to Christmas, though some lament that this has changed. The first Christmas in the Americas was a bit of a letdown. During the Christmas holidays one would see pomegranates in Christmas decorations and hanging on the doors of houses. All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year. Christmas in Syntagma square, Athens, Greece, The traditional illuminated Christmas boat symbolises love for the sea, Christopsomo is eaten on the night of Christmas Eve, © Zvonimir Atletic / EyeEm / Getty Images, Kourabiedes are made with white sugar, almonds, flour and butter, The Blessing of Waters sees men jump into the sea (or river or lake) to recover a cross. These women reach the fountain carrying with them butter, cereals, or honey to please the fountain. Almost invariably male, other regions see in them the forms of wolves or even monkeys. Illuminated boats, roasted pork and honey cookies are all staples of a Greek Christmas. Being a maritime nation, Greece has a long naval heritage and the illuminated boat symbolises a love and respect for the sea, as well as the anticipation of reuniting with seafaring relatives and welcoming loved ones home. Greek folk tradition has it that little mischievous kallikantzari, … And of course all the Greek Christmas treats, which every household prepares during the festive season. “By molding the dough into scenes from agricultural life (e.g. Roast pork is the traditional Christmas meal during Christmas in Greece. Made solely of ingredients sourced locally, these scrumptious delicacies have, according to Karamanes, been part of Greek tradition since antiquity. Christmas in Greece is traditionally a solemn, religious holiday. καλά Χριστούγεννα! You can rely on us to have the most comprehensive collection of ornaments, folk art and collectibles as well as decor for … Some local festivals still include representations of these entities, which may be a survival from Dionysian festivals. Even though nowadays these honey cookies are connected with Christmas time, in ancient times Greeks were eating them as an everyday dessert” he says. If you will be traveling to Greece at Christmas, it's good to remember that many offices, businesses, restaurants, and other amenities may be closed or keeping unusual hours during the holiday season. Priests throw a cross into the sea, river or lake and a group of men jump into the water to recover it. In recent years, the City of Athens has sponsored extensive Christmas displays and events in Syntagma Square and elsewhere in Athens. “Christopsomo dates back to the Ottoman era and still remains part of the customary festive food that are a prominent element of Greek Christmas traditions,” Karamanes explains. In Greece, Christmas is celebrated in all its glory. Over the years we notice a universal culture developing as the western European customs spread more and more change. On Christmas Eve, doorbells in houses around the country start ringing from as early as 7am in the morning. According to the folk Christmas traditions, the hobgoblins are short, ugly creatures with many deformities. By using Tripsavvy, you accept our. Christmas in Greece means it's kourabiedes time again, and the mellow aroma of melomakarona cookies will fill Greek kitchens around the globe. In Greece, Christmas means holidays that last for upto twelve days. Christmas Tradition in Greece Greeks have various kind of traditions carried on from many years. Christmas in Greece comes with many old traditions and plenty of festivities. New Year Vasilopita 2018 Sponsored by St. Andrew Philoptochos Order deadline: December 11, 2016. During the twelve days of Christmas, the young women of the village carry empty pitchers to nearby fountains and fill them with water. Some families in … While other cultures have Christmas elves, the Greek equivalent is not so benign. Christmas in Greece, or "the holidays," are not what they were 40 years ago. Greek Christmas Guide What you need to know about Christmas Holidays in Greece. Epiphany (January 6), called Theophany and colloquially Ta Phota (meaning ‘lights’) in Greece, is a feast day celebrating the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River by Saint John the Baptist. Greece has its own musical traditions around the holidays, too. In addition to a small amount of money, the lady of the house usually offers the children a sweet treat (normally a traditional melomakarono or kourabie). In Greece, the Christmas season is in full swing by December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, when presents are exchanged, and lasts through January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany. 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. Every Vasilopita contains a coin; the head of the family cuts the pie into pieces, and whoever finds the coin is said to be in store for a lucky year. Other households (perhaps less devout) were reduced to simple bribery and would put meat out for the Kallikantzaroi—a more substantial snack than the milk and cookies Westerners traditionally put out for Santa. On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out singing 'kalanda' (carols) in the streets. Beautiful Christmas carols called kalandas have been handed down from Byzantine times and add to the reverent quality of the celebration. Greece has some unique holiday traditions that set the celebration of Christmas and New Year’s in Greece apart. Though the decoration differs based on the region and is adapted to represent the households’s life and work, every Christopsomo has a cross made of dough in the centre, as well as almonds and nuts sprinkled on top to symbolise prosperity. Groups of kids holding musical triangles stand at the doorstep waiting for permission to begin singing traditional Christmas carols (kalanta). The Evil Eye. Here are some of the things that make the Greek holiday season special. According to Greek mythology, it was found that Christ's birth was celebrated on the same day as that of the ancient and invincible Sun God, Mithra. 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. Melomakarona (honey cookies) and kourabiedes (sugar-coated butter cookies) are the most popular traditional Christmas desserts in Greece. In some regions, it is common to make cabbage leaf rolls filled with pork accompanied by celery or spinach. CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN CRETE AND GREECE . It is said that the one to find the cross first will be blessed for the whole year and that, following the ceremony, the water is totally cleansed. Descriptions of them vary, and in one area they are believed to wear wooden or iron boots, the better to kick people, while other areas insist that they are hooved, not booted. They play drums and triangles as they sing. From Christmas until the Epiphany Day (January 6th), they come up to the world and tease people with many pranks. Not knowing how to return the possessions to their rightful owners, the residents followed Saint Basil’s advice and made small pies. Saint Basil managed to change the prefect’s mind and exempt local people from having to give away their valuables. Kalitsounia Kritis Cheese Pastries. St Basil’s Cake. by GCT Team Carols about the birth of Jesus sung by the sweet choral voices of children, special decorations, scary superstitions, and painstakingly-made cakes all make up part of Greece’s many Christmas traditions. Most towns and villages like to decorate with lots of lights, bells and angels. Originally a German and Scandinavian custom, the tradition of decorating Christmas trees was introduced to Greece in 1833 when the Bavarian Prince Otto, who was at the time ruling the country (1832 – 1862), decorated the first Christmas tree in his palace in Nafplio. In some cases, it caused the elimination of local customs in certain areas - even entire countries. Carol singing is another tradition on Christmas and New Year's Eve. At midnight,… Saint Basil then put the jewellery and money inside the pies and miraculously each person received their own valuables. Greek Christmas traditions – Breaking a Pomegranate Pomegranate has been a symbol of fortune, fertility, and prosperity in Greece and Greek mythology for thousands of years. Whether you live in Greece or you are planning to spend your Christmas holidays in Greece for the first time, there are a few essential pieces of information you should know about Greek Christmas traditions.. Christmas and New Year is a beloved holiday period for the Greeks. Christopsomo (Christ bread) is a round loaf that is a staple of the Greek Christmas table. From Wikipedia: "Vasilopita (Greek: Βασιλόπιτα, Vasilópita, lit.'(St.) Traditions is a family business that has been open for 26 years acquiring a reputation for knowledge, selection and service! In Greece there are two ways in which the festival of Christmas is celebrated one is religious and conventional, the second one is glamorous. St Basil’s Cake is prepared for the dinner of New Year’s Eve. Every part of the country boasts a plethora of traditions and special customs that have survived over the centuries. According to tradition, during the Greek 12 days of Christmas (December 25 to January 6), goblins come out to tease people and eat their food. In folktales, the twelve days of their power figure in a "wicked stepmother" story where a young girl is forced to walk alone to a mill through the twelve days because her stepmother is hoping that the Kallikantzaroi will snatch her away.. Basil-pie' or 'king pie', see below) is a New Year's Day bread or cake in Greece and many other areas in eastern Europe and the Balkans which contains a hidden coin or trinket which gives good luck … Greek Christmas carols (calanda) are sung on the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany. After the Divine Liturgy, priests carry out the water blessing. https://goo.gl/UwxBi8 Download TONS of FREE PDF lessons to learn Greek twice as fast! “Like most traditions, the custom of eating pork during Christmas not only has symbolic meaning but it is also strongly related to the household’s economy,” explains Karamanes, adding that parts of the pig were preserved and eaten throughout the rest of the year. “Turkey made its appearance in the late 19th century, when the elite started following the trends of French cuisine,” says Karamanes. Greek … There is a tradition in which children go from house to house, to sing a carol and the resident of the houses gift them some amount of money. Originally a German and Scandinavian custom, the tradition of decorating Christmas trees was introduced to Greece in 1833 when the Bavarian Prince Otto, who was at the time ruling the country (1832 – 1862), decorated the first Christmas tree in his palace in Nafplio. There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday season that don't involve gift-giving. Kallikantzaroi, plural (Kallikantzaros singular) are mischievous Greek goblins, elves or gnomes, that appear during the twelve days of Christmas, from the end of December until Epiphany, January sixth. However, as soon as December arrives, festivities begin: homes are decorated, and the smell of Christmas treats is in the air. A … Saint Basil’s cake (Vasilopita) Saint Basil’s cake (vasilopita) is a traditional Greek cake or … Following the Gregorian calendar, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December. Most of the Christmas traditions in Greece are more or less similar to the West. Christmas in Greece. Traditionally, the main dish on the Greek Christmas festive table was pork – a custom that many Greek families preserve. This tradition derives from the myth that residents of Cappadocia had collected money and jewellery to give to the area’s tyrannical prefect as a tax. Then you take a basil sprig and wrap it around a wooden cross; suspending this basic cross from the wire. DeTraci Regula is a freelance writer who has specialized in Greek travel and tours for 18 years. According to Karamanes, for the next few decades Christmas trees were only seen in upper-class households and the custom only became widely popular after World War II. A POMEGRANATE, an ancient symbol of prosperity and good luck, is hung above the door throughout Christmas. Discover the main traditions of this beautiful country and plan your last-minute trip … Christmas celebrations in Greece officially last for 14 days, starting on Christmas Eve and ending on Epiphany (6 January) with the ‘Great Blessing of Water’. Some households keep fires burning through the twelve days, to keep the spirits from entering by the chimney, which is an interesting inversion of the visit of Santa Claus in other countries. Kallikantzari Tease Villages. 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