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Popular Christmas Traditions and Christmas Decorations in Greece
Popular Christmas Traditions and Christmas Decorations in Greece
Christmas Eve in Greece, as in countries throughout the world, has many beautiful and fun traditions. Christmas Eve begins with children singing kalanda (Christmas carols) around the neighborhood. Some of the children play triangles and some play small clay drums. Sometimes they are accompanied by a guitar, a lyre, an accordion or a harmonica. Good wishes are offered and the children are awarded with treats.
Although Christmas is becoming more Westernized in Greece ( Christmas wreaths, turkey dinners and street decorations) some families still practice older traditions. These include replacing Christmas trees with the traditional shallow bowl as the main symbol of the season. A wire is attached to the bowl and hangs across it. From this wire hangs a cross wrapped in a small branch of basil. The water that is in the bowl keeps the basil fresh. Every day, the cross and basil are dipped in holy water by a member of the family. They then sprinkle holy water throughout the house to keep it safe from Killantzaroi. The Killantzaroi are sprites that come forth from the earth's center to appear in people's houses from Christmas to Epiphany. They are thought to cause mischief such as putting out hearth fires or souring milk. The hearth fire is kept burning throughout the twelve days to also help keep the Killantzaroi out.
Presents are exchanged between family and friends on the first of January which is St. Basil's day. The Renewal of Waters also takes place on St. Basil's day. This is a tradition where every water jug in the house is emptied and then refilled with St. Basil's Water. This ceremony is sometimes followed by gifts to the naiads (or nymphs).
Although Christmas dinner has also become more westernized, there are still some Greek foods that are eaten. Melomakarona (honey cookies) and kourabiedes (sugar cookies) are made before the season and eaten throughout the twelve-day holiday. Loaves of Christopsomo (Christ Bread) are eaten on Christmas. Vasilopita (St. Basil's Cake) is a cake made to celebrate the New Year. A coin is baked into the cake and whoever finds it will have blessings in the coming year. It is so-named because St. Basil had church ladies bake sweet bread with coins in them knowing the hungry were too proud to take money. In this way, St. Basil was able to help the needy without insulting them.
Old traditions, mixed with new ones, are what Greek Christmas' are all about. Spending time with family and friends is the important thing and that practice will always carry on. Celebrity Dolls In 18 Inch Doll Clothing Cosmetic Surgery is For Life and Not Simply For Christmas Ahead of the field - work the summer festival scene as an Indian head masseuse Touring with Youngsters Tips to keep your money when traveling Christmas Baking and Decorating Ideas WELCOME TO JDS LEISURE LTD Make a trip to stay in Venice Hotels Golden Triangle with Kashmir Tour for Having Fun and Gratification JDS Leisure Ltd mesmerizes you with its large variety of unique gift articles JDS LEISURE LTD – EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING IN GIFTS London Eye, a modern miracle What You Need to Know Before You Travel to Yunnan of China