The National Herald NOVEMBER 21, 2009 www.thenationalherald.com 2 Greek Food & Wine 2009 THE NATIONAL HERALD, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 The National Herald Thanksgiving: A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), reporting the news and addressing the issues of paramount interest to the Greek American community of the United States of America. An American Holiday, Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris Assistant to Publisher, Advertising Veta H. Diamataris Papadopoulos With Greek Roots? Managing Editor of Insert Eleni Kostopoulos On Line Assistant Editor Christos Tripoulas By Eleni Kostopoulos Production Manager Chrysoula Karametros Gills writes: “It plant for our- Webmaster Alexandros Tsoukias The National Herald Staff Writer was her job to feed selves.” the world, but Yet another theory ighting over the best piece of when she discov- exists on an Ancient Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, Athens, 10671, Greece carved turkey, engaging in ered her daughter Greek-originated Thanks- Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598, Fax: 011.30.210.3643.776, e-mail: [email protected] Funique family conversations, had been kidnapped, giving, complete with a pa- Subscriptions by mail: 1 year $66.00, 6 months $33.00, 3 months $22.00, 1 month $11.00 hearing the football match on TV she became so de- rade and full-fledged Home delivery NY, NJ, CT: 1 year $88.00, 6 months $48.00, 3 months $33.00, 1 month $14.00 from the adjacent room, expressing pressed she wouldn't banquet. An article on Home delivery New England States, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland: gratitude to God for all our bless- do her job. dl.ket.org states: “The 1 year $109.00, 6 months $57.00, 3 months $41.00, 1 month $18.00 ings; these are some of the things Finally, she found out Greeks called their Thanks- On line subscription: Subscribers to the print edition: 1 year $34.95, 6 months $23.95, 3 months $14.95; Non subscribers: 1 year $45.95, 6 months $29.95, 3 months $18.95 we look forward to when celebrat- where her daughter giving Day ELEUTHERIA, ing Thanksgiving Day, a typically was, but that didn't help and they celebrated it in the American holiday that has its hum- much. She still wanted Perse- month they called Maemacterion ble beginnings on the Plymouth phone back and the god who had with (November on our calendar). They Plantation in the early 1600s. His- abducted Persephone didn't want Hades over did not, however, feast on turkey. tory, however, tells us that many to return his lovely prize. Demeter Persephone. Their ‘kill’ to be shared by all pre- rituals we anticipate in the modern refused to eat or feed the world un- After her reunion with her daugh- sent at the banquet was a black bull On a Thankful Heart world during the end of November, til the other gods arranged a satis- ter, Demeter gave the gift of agri- -- much more practical since the closely resemble traditions prac- factory resolution to her conflict culture to mankind so we could whole town was expected for din- By Rev. Andrew Demotses ticed by the Ancient Greeks. ner. Goarch.org Also during the autumn season, “The Greek Thanksgiving Day a festival known as Thesmophoria was started after the battle of uring the month of Novem- used to be held in about 50 cities or Plataea, 479 B.C. Every year, on the ber, we are reminded of our villages of Ancient Greece, in honor 16th day of the month of Maemac- Dobligation to give thanks to of the goddess Demeter, who terion, a procession through town Almighty God for the many and taught mankind to tend the soil. would start at dawn, at the signal countless blessings that surround According to N.S. Gills of of a trumpet. The procession was us. It is a sad commentary on our about.com, there was no question followed by wagons decorated with human nature that we must institu- but that the festival, held during a myrtle boughs (cf. out Thanksgiv- tionalize a day of thanksgiving lest month known as Pyanopsion ing Day parade floats decorated no one give a thought to this most (Puanepsion) in the lunisolar cal- with roses and flowers), the black basic of responsibilities. endar of the Athenians, was part of sacrificial bull and young free And Yet, all of Scripture is very the goddess' worship. youths (cf. the marching groups of sensitive to the need for us to give She writes: “Since our calendar young people in our Thanksgiving thanks. When the people of Israel is solar, the month doesn't exactly Day parades). At the rear of the were led into the land of Canaan, match, but Pyanopsion would be, procession came the Archon of they were told by the God of our fa- more or less, October into Novem- Plataea, dressed in the garments of thers to "beware that thou forget ber, the same months as the Cana- victorious military leader and car- not" all that had been done for dian and U.S. Thanksgivings. In an- rying a sword (cf. our parade them. Nonetheless, they quickly cient Greece this was the time of Grand Marshal dressed in military forgot the mighty acts by which the the fall planting of crops like barley garb). Lord had formed them into a great and winter wheat. Since the Greeks were not as fa- nation, and it became necessary for On the 11-13 of Pyanopsion, natical about athletics as we are, the psalmist to remind them to "for- Greek matrons took a break from they only had their Eleutherian get not all His benefits." In the heal- their usually homebound lives to Bowl every fifth year, instead of the ing of the 10 lepers, only one re- participate in the autumn sowing annual contests we enjoy on turned to give thanks, and Christ (Sporetos) festival known as Thes- Thanksgiving Day. Even though we asked, "Were there not ten mophoria. Although most of the live in the New World, and we like cleansed, but where are the nine?" practices remain a mystery, we to serve turkey instead of beef on Surely God does not need our know that the holiday was a bit Thanksgiving Day, we continue to feeble thanks. It must be for our more involved than our modern walk in the footsteps of our prede- benefit, therefore, that we are re- versions, and that no men were al- cessors, the ancient Greeks.” quired to be grateful. Indeed, a fun- lowed to participate. Thanksgiving-like rituals may damental requirement for spiritual sessions for what they are, gifts The matrons probably symboli- date back to ancient times, but growth is a thankful heart. If we are made possible by the intellect, the cally relived the anguish Demeter Thanksgiving traditions have been to give thanks, we not only remem- health, and the opportunities that suffered when her daughter clearly shaped by ever-evolving ber all that we should be thankful have been placed in our path. Grat- Kore/Persephone was abducted by eras. for, but to whom those thanks are itude helps us to understand our Hades. They also probably asked One tradition that remains, due; we are bound to remember proper place in the scheme of cre- for her help in obtaining a bounti- however, is that of giving thanks; not only the gifts received, but the ation. ful harvest.” perhaps this Thanksgiving we Giver as well. It is in this awareness To be thankful is to look up at As we learn in the classroom, should also thank the Ancient that a life of faith has its founda- Another far greater than ourselves, Thanksgiving represents a time to Greeks for officially launching the tion. We begin to live each day for and to know that we are not gods give thanks for harvest, and to ex- custom of designating one period what it is, a gift from God. We strive ourselves. In that knowledge is the press gratitude in general. Deme- cepagenoir.files.wordpress.com to practice gratitude. We mustn’t not to waste it, but to treat it as an beginning of all wisdom. God asks ter, who is the Greek version of the Demeter, the goddess who taught mankind to tend the soil, was hon- forget, nevertheless, to remain investment trusted to our care. We us for thankful hearts not because Roman goddess Ceres, was indeed ored during the autumn season in Ancient Greece during a festival eternally thankful for our blessings also see our successes and our pos- He needs them, but because we do. the goddess of grain. known as Thesmophoria, similar to modern-day Thanksgiving Day. in our daily lives as well. THE NATIONAL HERALD, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 Greek Food & Wine 2009 3 By Tracy Ellen Kamens, Ed.D., grapes that have been cataloged, DWS Greece provides great diversity and Certified Wine Educator originality in its wines. Yes, you can find the usual suspects – Chardon- hile Greek wines haven’t nay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mer- made big headlines in re- lot – but more importantly, and Wcent years, Greece has a more significantly, are grapes such long vinous history dating back as Roditis, Assyrtiko, Agiorghitiko 4,000 years and is actually consid- and Xinomavro. ered to be the birthplace of food Amidst the Aegean Islands, San- and wine as a culture. Among its torini seems like an unlikely place more well-known wine exports is for wine production. Here, soils are Retsina, which owes its unique fla- a mix of volcanic and minced rock vor to its infusion with pine resin.