GREEK CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

The Festivity Season in Greece starts in early December with the decoration of houses, shops, streets etc. People usually decorate their houses with Christmas trees and a lot of lights. However, some people decorate Christmas boats which is an old Greek custom related to the close connection Greek people have with the sea. The actual Festivity Season is called ΔΩΔΕΚΑΗΜΕΡΟ (12 Days of Christmas) and it includes Christmas ( 25^th  December), New Year ( 1^st January)  and the Epiphany ( 6^th January).

 

 

 Greece is a country where traditions and customs are a part of everyday life. Most holidays in Greece are celebrated traditionally, and Christmas is no exception. Christmas caroling is very popular. There are actually three "official" caroling days. The custom is that children go from house to house singing the carol, with the accompaniment of a triangle, and residents of the house give them a small amount of money. Greek Christmas carols (calanda) are sung on the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany.

According to tradition, during the Greek 12 days of Christmas (December 25 to January 6), goblins come out to tease people and eat their food. This tradition is based on the legend that the "waters aren't christened" since Christ has not yet been baptized. The goblins are renowned for their ugliness and their impishness. They are not very intelligent and can't really hurt anybody. It is said that they enter houses through chimneys, and this is the reason why people, especially in villages, keep the fireplace lit during the 12 days of Christmas.

 

In many parts of Greece, people hang a pomegranate above the front door of their house. On New Year’s Day, when the fruit has dried, Greeks throw it on the ground so it breaks, and step into their house on their right foot. According to tradition, this brings good luck for the year to come.

 

 

 

In major cities, such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Heraklion, etc. the municipal authorities organize music concerts, theatrical performances and a number of other cultural events. Christmas in Athens is a fantastic time of the year. The largest Christmas tree in Europe is lit in Syntagma Square, the location of the Christmas village, where little elf houses sell candy and children can take part in a number of activities.

 

Christmas, like many other holidays in Greece, is a time for feasting. Lately, Christmas turkey has become very popular as the main dish of the holiday. Traditionally, the main course of Christmas dinner in Greece is roast pork, with a variety of side delicacies.

Melomakarona and kourabiedes are the two most popular Christmas and New Year's cookies in Greece.

On Christmas Eve Greeks make Christopsomo; a kind of bread which has a cross carved into the top crust before it is baked. On Christmas Day, the head of the household makes the sign of the cross above the loaf of bread, cuts it and gives a piece to each person at the dining table.

On New Year's Day Greeks have a cake called Vasilopita. Before the cake is baked, a coin covered in foil is placed in it. The New Year is written on top of the cake with almonds. The person who cuts the cake makes the sign of the cross three times above it and then starts serving the pieces, one to each person, the house, Christ and Saint Basil. Whoever has the coin in their piece of cake will have luck for the rest of the year.

Melomakarona-kourabiedes

      Christopsomo

Vasilopita

Due to the nature of the Christian Orthodox religion, Christmas is a very religious holiday in Greece. It is customary for those of faith to go to church on Christmas morning for the religious service. Traditionally there is a fasting period 40 days before Christmas. The faithful would not eat animal or related products.  Priests sometimes go from house to house (January 6) sprinkling holy water around to get rid of the bad spirits which may be hiding in people's houses.

 New Year's Day is also Saint Basil day. January 1st, St. Basil Day, is when gifts are exchanged, since Saint Basil is our Father Christmas. The Christmas season ends with the Epiphany (Theophania) on January 6th. On this day around Greece, waters are blessed and a cross is thrown into the waters. Dozens of brave young people dive into the freezing water to retrieve the cross, which is said to bring good luck to the person that reaches it first.

  Popi Chantzi, Comenius team, Greece