The Importance of Koliva

24 THURSDAY 16 APRIL 2009 NEWS IN ENGLISH Ï Êüóìïò Pilgrimage tourism initiative by Russia, Greece Promotion of pilgrimage tourism between Markopoulos underlined the nomic crisis. Russia and Greece through the establish- Russian Patriarch's positive response In statements he made after the meeting at the ment of a joint coordinating committee was to the initiative and stated that the Patriarchal residence, Markopoulos stated that the decided here during a meeting between Greek side's intention is to make Patriarch referred to his "warm relation" with Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia Russia an attractive tourist destination Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, adding that "all and visiting Greek Tourism Development for the Greeks adding, at the same indications show that we are entering a new phase in Minister Costas Markopoulos. time, that more Russians are expected the history of the two Churches and Patriarchates," Markopoulos, the first Greek government to visit Greece this year. characterizing it as a positive development. minister to be received by the new Patriarch Welcoming Markopoulos, the Markopoulos had meetings with the local govern- of Russia, stated that the committee will be Russian Patriarch stated that the num- ment in the Russian capital to discuss the promotion of comprised of three Russian Church members, Church ber of Russian tourists visiting Greece is smaller than Greece's tourist campaign in the greater Moscow of Greece representatives as well as a Greek tourism desired and pointed out that Greece offers countless region and attended the first screening of the film "El ministry official. He also stated that the initiative reaf- attractive destinations expressing the wish that bilater- Greco" in Russian cinemas. Later in the evening, he firms that the Patriarch of Moscow will to contribute to al relations in the sector of tourism and pilgrimage vis- will be present in an event held for the promotion of the strengthening of bilateral relations through pil- its will be further improved. Patriarch Cyril also Evros Prefecture, in northeast Greece, as a tourism grimage tourism. referred to the unavoidable consequences of the eco- destination. The brand new The importance of koliva KALYMNOS MUSEUM A Los Angeles Times report on Greek cuisine features – among others - a special dish with ritu- OF ARCHAEOLOGY al meaning called koliva, made of wheat berries studded with toasted nuts and dried fruit and blanketed with a drift of powdered sugar. It is an Eastern Orthodox ritual dish associated with the circle of life and death. Wheat, which is planted in the earth and rises in new life, symbolises officially opened the hope of resurrection. According to the Orthodox ritual, koliva is served after memorial services but also during one Saturday per year set aside for commemorating the dead. Saturday is a For the first time the breathtaking collection of traditional day for praying for the departed, because Christ laid dead in the tomb on Saturday. Kalymnos marble statues found in 2001 will be on public show, along with the magnificent bronze figure of the 'Lady of Kalymnnos' oliva is a heavenly trawled up from the sea bed by a dessert: earthy wheat Kalymnian fisherman. Other exhibits Kberries studded with represent all periods of Ancient toasted nuts and dried fruit and Greece, from Paleolithic and blanketed with a drift of powdered Neolithic to Minoan, Mycaenean, sugar, with just a spoonful of light- Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and ly whipped cream for richness. But Roman. to many traditional Greeks, that very sentence is appalling, even This musuem contains displays heretical. of far greater importance than That’s because in the Greek would normally be found on an Orthodox religion, koliva is a dish island of this size and tells a new that is heavy with ritual significance. It’s more metaphor than story of the significance of food, really, symbolizing the circle Kalymnos in both the ancient and of death and rebirth. The wheat modern world. berries represent the promise of everlasting life, the raisins the the beginning of Lent, and during It was certainly never my intent For more information about the sweetness of life, and the spices memorial services. To me, this is a to give offense. I just wanted to museum, statues and especially are symbols of plenty. The dish is particularly lovely part of the tra- share a dish I really liked (and, in the unique Archaic kouros, visit traditionally served only in a few dition – each family prepares its my defense, similar dishes are www.kourosgreece.org. specific circumstances, including own koliva in memory of those served around the eastern they’ve lost, and then they share it Mediterranean without the reli- with the congregation. gious ties). But maybe I was guilty Aussie father on the run ready for US jail For some, including Elaine of being too modern. It's hard for Panousis, who generously taught some of us to remember that food LOS Angeles detectives have told George Betsis he will be arrested and faces jail when me to make the dish, the idea of can be appreciated for more than he hands son Tomas back to the boy's mum, celebrity "baby listener" Priscilla Dunstan. eating koliva just for dining pleas- simple deliciousness. But the Sydney advertising executive, who has been on the run after he was accused of ure is unthinkable. And so was my So many of our foods once had abducting his son from a school in Los Angeles 10 days ago, said yesterday it was worth it. including a recipe for it in a cook- religious or ritual significance, but "I came over here to see my son. It's not like it was an illegal act to see him but it esca- ing story (with whipped cream, no by and large those ties have been lated," Mr Betsis, 49, told The Daily Telegraph from a secret location in California. less!). forgotten along the way. We serve This photograph, taken at the weekend, shows Tomas, 10, and his father in the apartment Reader Marcella Cuonzo- lamb at Easter and hunt for eggs where they have been hiding, spending a lot of time indoors since the LA Police Department issued a child abduction Hadjipapas was certainly irate: "I without giving a thought to what alert on April 3. was taken back by the disrespect they once symbolized. We greedi- They have worked their way through Tomas' latest love - given to a dish that is hardly ly tuck into sweet tamales com- the entire series of Star War movies - and played Scrabble. regarded as a 'dessert.' Orthodox pletely oblivious to their role in In between, Tomas has been talking over the internet to Christians consider koliva to be Day of the Dead ceremonies – so his step-mother, actress Mary Coustas, and the rest of his symbolic of death and resurrec- similar to koliva itself. family and friends in Australia, who he has not seen since tion, it is prepared during requiem We’re obviously richer for being moving to the US with Ms Dunstan seven months ago. and memorial services for the able to enjoy all these wonderful "I'm cooking breakfast for him and I cook lunch and din- departed, and not as the end of a foods from so many different parts ner, things we have missed doing together," Mr Betsis said stuffing feast topped with whipped of the world, but in a way, maybe yesterday. cream! What’s next? Dinner at a we’re a little poorer for having lost "We are just catching up." cemetery? Rolling dough at the the meaning that can accompany He has been in touch with the FBI and the LAPD to let altar? If my Greek grandmother them. Particularly at this time of them know he and Tomas are safe. would read the column she would year, it’s good to be reminded of shake her head in disbelief." that..

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