However, after the Bolsheviks rose to supremacy, all the religious holidays were exterminated, and, of course, Christmas became the most persecuted of them all. Similarly to a Christmas celebration in other countries, Orthodox Christmas Eve is the time when the whole family gathers to spend time together, eat, and have a good time. After the performance is completed, the homeowners often demonstrate their appreciation by rewarding the young people with sweet treats. Before the revolution, as in the rest of Europe, Christmas was one of the most important holidays, with most people traditionally celebrating it. Families get together and people enjoy a holiday air, and there are many wonderful food traditions that Greeks … Orthodox Christmas 2019. The Greek Orthodox Church until 1923 was with the old calendar and Christmas was celebrated on January 6th. Talking about unusual Christmas trees, it is definitely worth mentioning chichilaki, a traditional Christmas tree in Georgia. In Greece, certain traditional foods are eaten in celebration of Christmas. Christopsomo (χριστόψωμο, say: hree-STOHP-soh-moh) literally means "Christ's Bread," and is a fixture in Greek Orthodox homes at Christmas. Some believe this tradition is traced back to the important Greek Saint Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Sailors. These implements have countless holes. Young men ready to set off for their military service in the coming year, gather wood and pile it up in their village or town square. The tradition from Kavala roots to the period of the Ottoman Occupation of Greece. Christmas Eve dinner can be served after the appearance of the first star on the sky, … It is made from dry walnut or hazelnut branches that are shaved in a shape that reminds one of a beard. For those remaining on the Julian calendar, the Epiphany is celebrated on Jan. 19. Carols are sung in Ukraine on Christmas Eve and Christmas, called koliadky. The Armenian Orthodox Church observes Christmas Day on January 6th. We believe that traveling to lands, distant or otherwise, can only better a person, particularly when there is a level of immersion into the local people and their cultures, traditions, cuisine, history, and language. In the Greek Orthodox tradition presents are given to everyone on 1st January the Feast-Day of Saint Basil the Great. Well, the customs are many and they vary depending on the region so I'm just going to tell you the ones that are mostly common all over the country. (Read more about Ukrainian holidays here. However, it gets even more complicated: not even all of the various orthodoxes celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January! The nation is home to countless islands. Written by GreekBoston.com in Greek Christmas Traditions Orthodox Christmas is one of the most important holidays for many people in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. One of the main differences between Orthodox Christmas and Christmas in Western countries that stands out for anyone is the date it is celebrated on. Great care is taken when making this Christopsomo bread , and loaves can be simple or elaborate. A traditional table decoration are loaves of 'Christopsomo' (Christ's Bread or Christmas bread). The bread is made on Christmas Eve ready to be eaten on Christmas Day. They can be sung at home after dinner, or carolers can walk on the streets, through Christmas markets, or even stop by your apartment. An especially Greek Christmas tradition is the decorating of a karakavi, of a small sea vessel. On Christmas Eve, participating young people go from home to home asking for permission to sing. Orthodox Christmas Date. Unlike that, by many other religions around the world, Christmas is celebrated using the Gregorian calendar established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Orthodox Christians in central and eastern Europe and other parts of the world celebrate Christmas on January 7. Because of this, there are many Greek Christmas traditions associated with it. Popular appetizers include a soup made up of lemon, chicken, eggs, and rice. Given the nation’s proximity to water and its possessing a tropical climate, citizens have typically consumed the famed Mediterranean Diet, comprised primarily of seafood and produce products. Tradition states these small, foul creatures emerge from the underworld during the holiday season, lurk at night and possess the potential to cause serious damage if they enter one’s home. In the Christian tradition of both east and west, the twelve days of Christmas refer to the period from Christmas Day to Theophany. However, as soon as December arrives, festivities begin: homes are decorated, and the smell of Christmas is one of the major holidays that are celebrated in Greece and amongst people of Greek origin throughout the world. As soon as the New Year comes in, a celebration … Dauntless Jaunter is a travel website committed to promoting socially-conscious, culturally-aware, educational, and enlightening sort of travel, as well as the importance and lifelong value of such travel. The day is a In Greek Orthodox tradition, sesame baklava is baked on Christmas Eve while Christopsomo is the bread baked on Christmas Day (it means. Here’s a list of 15 most popular Greek New Year customs and traditions: 1. The nation is home to countless islands. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving; completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath; Christmas music and caroling; viewing a Nativity play; an exchange of Christmas cards; church services; a special meal; and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In some households, there are even small paper or wooden boats with lights or ornaments as their own analog of the Christmas tree. On 7 January, many Orthodox Copts and other Orthodox Christians (including those in Russia and Ethiopia) celebrate their Christmas Day. Ergo, for centuries, many men have made their living as sailors. Like other countries and cultures, Greek people embrace the Christmas season by singing jovial and religious-based carols, also known as “kalanda”. For instance, the tradition of the Christmas tree was revived, however, on top of it, instead of the Star of Bethlehem, there was placed a red communist star symbol. The explanation is rather simple: it is celebrated using a different calendar. Orthodox Christmas Day. As in Serbia, pork is the traditional roast meat of Greek tables at Christmas - turkey is a relative newcomer. Presents are opened on New Year’s Day Though the primary religion in Cyprus is Greek Orthodox, most people celebrate Christmas on 25 December rather than the traditional Orthodox date in January. In popular Greek tradition, St. Nicholas is identified due to his brine-covered clothes, the filthy seawater that drips off of his lengthy beard and, most important of all, his face that is covered with the sweat built up from his hard work to save the ships from the unruly and turbulent seas. Typically, gifts are opened on New Year’s Day rather than at Christmas, to honour Saint Vasilis, the Greek saint associated with Santa Claus. Even though many countries in Eastern Europe profess the same religion, Christmas traditions differ in all the countries. Still others believe this tradition is more rooted in Greek culture. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ. For the observant Orthodox Greek, the forty day fast, for Christmas, known as the advent fast, ends on Christmas day, with the breaking of ‘Christopsomo’, Christ’s bread, which was baked the day before, on Christmas Eve. Here is a roundup of some of the Greek Christmas traditions you can enjoy, no matter where in the world you are: Most Greek people are Orthodox Christians. She loves to write about travel and education stories in the hopes of learning more for herself at the same time. Hailing from Kyiv, Ukraine, she now lives in Warsaw, Poland, where she is working on her master's degree in strategic management. Orthodox Christmas Traditions in Different Countries. The karakavi were created as a way of honoring their service and praying for their safe return. Orthodox Christian Christmas. Even the pig’s bladder would be cleansed, inflated, and used as a ball by children. Christmas is all about delicious food, shared with your friends, family and loved ones! After the VI Th century Christmas started to be celebrated on the 25th of December. Ta Kalanda (Carol singing) Greek Kalanda singers 1950s . ), When you have a Christmas Eve dinner in Bulgaria, it is important to have an odd number of dishes, one of them being a Christmas bread with a baked coin in it. This was the original date for Christmas until the 4th century, rather than some Julian/Gregorian adjusted date. After some years, it became a new tradition, so even now, long after the Soviet Union collapsed, people are torn between those two holidays and each person chooses themselves which one to celebrate, and, if both, which should be of most importance. Instead of celebrating the birth of Christ, they celebrated New Year’s Day, with many attributes of the forbidden Christmas but no church implications. Chichilaki is considered to be a symbol of life, hope, and fertility. There are also some special hymns that are sung during these services. The situation became better in 1935 when the government of the Soviet Union decided to bring back the tradition of winter’s holiday celebration, however, with a twist. That's why I have collected some of the very best Christmas recipes, from Greek Christmas Cookie recipes, hearty Greek family dinner recipes and many more as passed on to my family for generations, for you to enjoy! Epiphany is one of the most sacred Greek Orthodox celebrations, rich in many Christian traditions which also date back to ancient times. Most Orthodox Christians for example, celebrate Christmas on January 7th as opposed to December 25th – today namely being the Coptic Orthodox Church (in Egypt) and the Russian Orthodox Church. This shift happened after the October Revolution when the Bolsheviks came to power. Moreover, in all of the Orthodox countries, there are at least some Catholics and Greek Catholics, so some part of the population might have Christmas at the end of December in their families or communities. Greek Orthodox Christmas. Eastern Orthodox Christmas. Greek Christmas Eve Tradition of Singing Carols (Kalanda) Like many parts of the world, there is a tradition in Greece of going door to door to sing Christmas carols. For Orthodox Christians who have adopted the Gregorian calendar, Christmas falls on Dec. 25 as it does for others, and Jan. 6 marks the Epiphany, a Christian holiday that celebrates the revelation of God the son as a human being in Jesus. When Is Orthodox Christmas. This is in stark contrast to the US and Western Europe, where it is one of the main holidays of the year for most people regardless of religious affiliation. Serbian Orthodox Christmas. Other traditional favorites include a variety of cookies, walnut spice cake, and cheese pastries. Dauntless Jaunter started as a world travel blog, but we strive to offer much more than just travel stories. The decoration of the boat at Christmas, is part of the huge Greek maritime tradition as Greece, both as a geographical area and as an idea, is inextricably related to the sea. In the Eucharist, all Orthodox Christians meet together and in absolute agreement, in doctrine and practice witness the presence of the Holy Trinity on the altar of the Church. The wood is set alight on New Year’s Eve to make a big fire and they sing carols until the clock strikes 12. Traditionally, any type of meat was considered a significant delicacy and privilege. Don’t be surprised if in Greece you see a boat decorated with Christmas lights. Following the Gregorian calendar, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December. Each of the elements of the service are designed to announce Christ’s brith. Serbian Christmas traditions are customs and practices of the Serbs associated with Christmas and a period encompassing it, between the third Sunday before Christmas Day and Epiphany.There are many, complex traditions connected with this period. When Is Greek Orthodox Christmas Orthodox Christmas Traditions. For Greeks, Easter is a more important tradition than Christmas. During this special gathering, numerous Biblical verses are cited and hymns are sung. Greek Orthodox Christmas 2020. You all know that Greece is famous for its history and sunny days, so we have the first out of the three points. In this post, we will explore some Greek traditions in order for … There are also some special food traditions that are associated with Christmas. The Christmas dates around January 7 may vary among some churches. … In fact, not one part of the animal would be wasted. A delicious collection of traditional Greek Christmas recipes! This is a time that is filled with moments to spend with loved ones, church services, and plenty of unique traditions. Easter is celebrated all over the mainland and on the islands, it is a family celebration as well as being the most significant time in the Greek Orthodox Church. According to the Greek folk tradition, from Christmas Day until the Epiphany Day, hobgoblins that live underground come up to the Earth to tease and play pranks with people. Traditionally on the table should be present twelve lean dishes, for the number of apostles, and only on the 7th of January the fasting ends. (Check out our article on the history of the Christmas tree.). Christmas Eve dinner can be served after the appearance of the first star on the sky, as it heralds the birth of Christ. ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ. A particularly unique Greek Christmas tradition is the Kalikantzaroi, or Christmas goblins. Spending Christmas in Greece 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 … These hobgoblins (kallikantzari in Greek) are little monsters with bandy legs and arms, hunched backs, large ears, strange eyes and all kinds of deformities. In certain Greek regions, especially Crete, the Christmas Hog is still a major custom. The bishop and the priest pray to God the Father to send the Holy Spirit and transform the bread and wine into the very body and blood of Christ. There are also some traditional pastries that are served during this time of year, such as the Melamakarona cookies, which are usually only made at this time of year. © 2010–2020 Dauntless Jaunter & Pardeaplex, Orthodox Christmas: When It’s Celebrated, History, and Holiday Traditions, Explore • Educate • Experience • Enlighten, Stories: Legends, Mythology, Tales & More, “W” Hour: A Once-Yearly Moment When Warsaw Stops in Remembrance, 5 Things to Do in Kyiv: Top Attractions, Activities, Museums & More (Kiev), Kupala Night: A Magical Slavic Summer Evening (Ivanа-Kupala), 4 Fascinating Tea Traditions from Around the World, 7+ Things to Do in Bulgaria: Best Bulgarian Places to Go & Sites to See, Ramadan 101: Everything to Know About Islam’s Sacred 9th Month. Carol singing is another tradition on Christmas and New Year's Eve. (Read more about Bulgarian holidays here.). Ergo, for centuries, many men have made their living as sailors. An especially Greek Christmas tradition is the decorating of a karakavi, of a small sea vessel. The main things that characterize a nation are its history, tradition, and culture. The Christmas tree is taken down after the 7th of January, which is the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. The days leading up to Christmas were for preparation; a practice affirmed in the Orthodox tradition by the Christmas fast … A similar dish under a different name, koliva, is served in Greece, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and the Balkans. Traditionally, Christmas Eve would be the climax of the Nativity Fast, and thus … Still others believe this tradition is more rooted in Greek culture. In this tradition, Christmas Eve services are formally known as the Eve of Nativity celebration. Some believe this tradition is traced back to the important Greek Saint Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Sailors. Children … Christmas is one of the major holidays of the year. In Bulgaria, Christmas is celebrated on 25th December. literally 'Christ's bread'). Orthodox Christmas 2020. It was almost impossible to buy a fir tree, as everything that could be related to holidays was strictly controlled by the government. Mariia Kislitsyna is a polyglot and literature fanatic, and she has a bachelor's degree in business administration and management. Tradition says that the creatures believe the number three is holy and must kill themselves before saying three out loud. When the homeowners invite them in, the youths sing. Categorized in: Greek Christmas Traditions, on Interesting Greek Christmas Traditions to Know, Best Greek Dessert Recipes to Eat During Christmas, Recipe for Christopsomo – Greek Christmas Bread, Recipe for Melomacarona (Melamakarona) – Greek Christmas Cookies. 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’. The only Orthodox churches that still observe the January 7th date are the Russian Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian churches, the Serbs and the Mount Athos monks in Greece. In Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, it is common to have as one of those dishes kutia, boiled grains mixed with poppy seeds, nuts, raisins, and honey. However, during the Christmas season, which in Greece, lasts 12 days, people would splurge and eat pig meat. The Nativity scenes are a popular Christmas tradition. Here’s a guide on the history and traditions. The difference in these dates lies in the history of how these dates came about in the first place. In 1929, Christmas in the Soviet Union was officially crossed out from the calendar and canceled. For church holidays in Orthodox Christianity, the old Julian calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE is used, which is also simply called “old style.” In the Julian calendar, the 25th of December falls on the 7th of January, which is why it is being celebrated on that date. In many instances, these songs are sung by children. First, t he Greek Orthodox Church is celebrating Christmas on December 25th, on the same date as the Catholic and Protestant Churches. It is common to celebrate Orthodox Christmas on the 7th of January, with festivities starting on the 6th of January. It is interesting to emphasize another form of the Synodical system, which accentuates the importance of Tradition: the Eucharist itself. Christmas in the Oriental Orthodox Churches Whoever gets the coin in their piece is believed will have a lucky and prosperous year. In Greece … The majority of Greek Orthodox followers see Christmas as a secondary holiday, and this is reflected in the way that Greek traditions have been somewhat watered down by international festive ideas. They vary from place to place, and in many areas have been updated or watered down to suit modern living. We’ve got travel destination guides, facts and trivia articles, an impressive tourism glossary, cultural insight, language learning, posts about history and education, a tourism and hospitality industry glossary, and even more! In accordance wit the hog tradition, some type of pork recipe is typically the main course, which is supplemented with side dishes such as stuffed cabbage and Christopsomo bread. The top is decorated with a cross. The Greek children, in the way that they made their own toys, in the same way they constructed the wooden ships to honor and welcome the seamen who returned from their voyages during the Christmas period. Orthodox Christmas Traditions December 13 CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! In many countries of the former Soviet Union, Christmas is considered to be a religious holiday and is celebrated mostly by believers. That said, such individuals spent many months away from their families and homes often battling treacherous conditions. It's a round sweet bread which is flavored with cinnamon, orange and cloves. GREEK CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS How do we celebrate Christmas in Greece? Because Greek society is so religious -- approximately 98 percent of Greece's population belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church -- many of the culture's traditional celebrations center around sacramental services in the church [source: U.S. State Department].. At birth, eldest children are named after a grandparent, an ancient tradition that ensures the continuation of a … Some of the elements include the Hours, which summarize the themes of Christmas, the Vespers, which include Bible verses that announces Christ’s arrival into the world, and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil. All the faithf… Legend continues that homeowners who place colanders on their doorsteps can keep these evil spirits from entering. … It is common to celebrate Orthodox Christmas on the 7th of January, with festivities starting on the 6th of January. Comments Off on Interesting Greek Christmas Traditions to Know. Even though many countries in Eastern Europe profess the same religion, Christmas traditions differ in all the countries. HE WAS AND IS AND EVER SHALL BE. Christmas in Greece means it's kourabiedes time again, and the mellow aroma of melomakarona cookies will fill Greek kitchens around the globe. 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