Merry Christmas The National Herald a b DECEMBER 20, 2008 www.thenationalherald.com 2 CHRISTMAS 2008 THE NATIONAL HERALD, DECEMBER 20, 2008 The National Herald Christmas Traditions in Greece A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), reporting the news and addressing the issues By Thornton B. Edwards or Twelve days of Christmas it is of of paramount interest to the Greek American interest to note that all houses are community of the USA. A folklorist married to a Greek girl vulnerable to a malicious type of elf Publisher-Editor CEPHALLONIA, GREECE- Even / pixy called the "kallikantzari" Antonis H. Diamataris though the Greek Christmas is re- (sing. "kallikantzaros") who play garded by many as less colorful tricks on housewives, put out the Assistant to Publisher, Advertising than the Greek Easter, the Greeks fire and urinate on the Christmas Veta H. Diamataris Papadopoulos really have some of the richest food if it is not covered at night. Christmas traditions in the world. They also saw the root of a huge Special Section Managing Editor The Advent period is often taken trunk on which rest the founda- Beverly MacDougall very seriously by Orthodox Chris- tions of the world. Production Manager tians and those wishing to take The Greek Christmas celebra- Chrysoula Karametros communion on Christmas morning tions conclude with the festival of 37-10 30th Street, LIC, NY 11101-2614 will be expected to fast during the "Ta Phota" or "The Lights" as whole period (or at least for the last Epiphany is called. In the Orthodox Tel: (718)784-5255, three days). Fasting means abstain- Church this feast is important as Fax: (718)472-0510, ing from meat, eggs and dairy the baptism of Christ. On the Eve of e-mail: [email protected] products as well as oil in a strict this day the priest will go round all www.thenationalherald.com fast. If one sees someone at the end houses and sprinkle holy water to Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, of Advent the traditional wish is bless the houses and all those who Athens, 10671, Greece "Kala Christouyenna" or "Good live there. It is believed that this Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598, Christmas" yet on Christmas Day visit by the priest will expel the Fax: 011.30.210.3643.776, the usual wish is not this but "Chro- "kallikantzari" who leave before nia polla" or "many years" (which is they can finish sawing the world's e-mail: [email protected] also the traditional wish for impor- foundations. It is customary to give Subscriptions by mail: 1 year $59.85, 6 months tant feast days and name days). a small donation to the priest by $29.95, 3 months $19.95, 1 month $9.95. Home Greeks will normally start deco- way of appreciation and the name delivery NY, NJ, CT: 1 year $80.00, 6 months rating their homes comparatively for this service he performs is $43.99, 3 months $29.99, 1 month $12.95. late, just a few days before Christ- known as the "ayiasmos" - the word Home delivery New England States, Pennsylva- mas when housewives will start also refers to the holy water itself nia & Washington DC: 1 year $99.00, 6 months making the traditional Christmas some of which is kept with the fam- $51.75, 3 months $37.45, 1 month $15.95 On sweets such as "kourabiedhes" and ily icons and is believed to have line subscription: Non subscribers: 1 year "melomakarana". Christmas cards plant has several names according arrives at her new home after the the family starting with the eldest. healing properties. On the day of $29.95, 1 month $3.95; are not exchanged between mem- to the locality e.g. in Cephallonia it wedding). A special cake is eaten The one who finds the "flouri" in Epiphany there is the great "Ayias- Subscribers: 1 year $19.95, 1 month $1.95 bers of the same family living to- is called "koutsouna" or "aski- on this day called the "Vasilopita" or their piece will have good luck all mos" service in the church. In some gether nor among friends who live nokara". The boy who brings this St. Basil's Pie in which a "flouri" or the forthcoming year. At the meal larger churches such as at the near enough to be wished in per- plant to the house will be given a lucky coin has been baked. Yet be- table there is also a special decorat- church of St. Eleftherios in Patisia, son; instead cards are only sent to "bonamas" or gift of money for the fore this can be found the head of ed round loaf called a "Vasilopso- Athens, a pair of doves are released those friends and relatives who live New Year. the house must first cross the cake mo" or St. Basil's bread (which is re- from the "kampanario" or separate far away. As elsewhere, the Christ- Also on New Year's Day there is with his knife and then cut the first ally identical in form to the bell-tower. In the port of Pireus and mas tree is a recent innovation and the interesting custom of breaking slice for God, then the next for the "Christopsomo" or "Christ bread" in most islands the priest throws formerly (and indeed still on some a pomegranate on the door for baby Christ, followed by the eaten on Christmas Day and the the cross into the sea and a few islands today) a Christmas ship was good luck (an action which is some- "Panayia" (or "All Holy" - as Mary is "Photitsa" or "Lights bread" that will young men will dive in to retrieve it decorated and had the place of the times performed by the bride in called), then the next slice for the be eaten on Epiphany). - the one who catches the cross is tree. This Christmas ship or "kar- some regions of Greece when she house and after for each member of Throughout the "Dodekaimera" being blessed. avaki" (ie. little ship) is sometimes The "Lights Day" (i.e. Epiphany) carried around by carol-singers on also happens to be Christmas Day Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and for those few Greek Orthodox on the Eve of Epiphany. It is usually Christians who (like the Russians little children who sing the "kalan- and the Serbs etc.) still follow the da" or carols holding triangles very Old Calendar. Epiphany can really early on these mornings for a few be seen to be the culmination of the coins. Christmas season. While compa- It is really the 1st of January (St. nies and organizations who meet Basil's Day that is the most special after the Christmas holidays may day for children since this is when still be seen in the newspapers cut- they receive their presents. This is ting the "Vasilopita" or St. Basil's because Father Christmas is not St. Pie even as late as early February, Nicholas/Santa Claus but Ayios with Epiphany the Christmas sea- Vasilis or St. Basil and so New son essentially comes to a close. Year's Day is also St. Basil's feast The next day is St. John's Day (i.e. day (and the name day for anyone 7th January). On this day everyone called Vasilis or for girls called Vasi- called Yiannis (John) has their liki - not to mention the day when name day and relatives and friends the Orthodox Church celebrates who visit will still see the Christmas the circumcision of Christ). Early in decorations up in the home. The the morning on New Year's Day a decorations will be taken down on child (invariably a boy) does the 8th January. This is also the time "podariko" or first-footing by bring- when children go back to school - ing a strange plant called a "sky- i.e. on the first weekday after St. lokremmyda" or "dog onion" to the John's Day. house. This is a plant with a few thick green leaves and a bulb that is This article first appeared in wrapped with aluminum foil. This Christmas Magazine.com ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΑΠΟ∆ΗΜΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ (Σ.Α.Ε.) ΠΕΡΙΦΕΡΕΙΑ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD (S.A.E.) USA REGION NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE FROM the S.A.E USA COORDINATOR “Man is the Measure of all Things” “Πάντων Μέτρον Άνθρωπος» Dear Compatriots, With the coming of the New Year, I wish to express some of my thoughts, as the coming of each year signifies the beginning of new endeavors. 2008 endowed mankind with economic, social, and educational tribulations, significant offenses caused by the abuse of po- litical power and the mistreatment of our natural environment. The need for change, a greater respect for humanity and nature, for social justice, educational equality, and peace was ex- pressed worldwide, either by peaceful means or by social unrest. At the threshold of the third millennium, knowledge, technology, understanding and wisdom for positive change exist with- out a doubt. Humanity is ready to set the human being as the measure of all things, as recommended by ancient Greek philosophi- cal thought. Yet, we must set priorities in favor of the common good. We should not forget that we are all parts of the Whole (Εν το Παν.), and therefore we have an effect on, contribute to, and are affected by the Whole. Each of us shares the responsibility and its outcome. For 2009, let us all work towards the common good instead of the self-serving. Let us labor to conquer fear and replace it with love! May our endeavors be constructive.