Greek Holiday Traditions — Faith & Fun
Yiasas!
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
The holidays are a beautiful time celebrate traditions.
In the Greek culture, during the holidays especially, there are a couple traditions I adore; they include, but are not limited to: Faith and Karavaki.
FAITH
Faith – this is how we connect as people. When my parents, God rest their souls, immigrated to America from Greece, they came through Ellis Island and came to live with family who helped them establish a life here. The outreach and help for my parents came via the church where other Greek people convened daily, weekly and always. There were groups which connected everyone, and the network at church assisted in growing the family and the community.
Groups like AHEPA, PHILOPTOCHOS, SUNDAY SCHOOL, THE CHOIR, GREEK SCHOOL.
AHEPA is a special organization that stands for American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. It is an organization of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes. AHEPA resists the union of church and state, support education and promote education advantages.
Philoptochos is a Greek Orthodox woman’s group. The word "Philoptochos" literally translates to "friend of the poor". It refers to helping those who are in need, whether they are poor in finances, health, spirit, or other ways.
Greeks identify strongly with their Orthodox faith.
Since we are in the holiday season, let’s peek at Christmas.
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Son of God.
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14
Christmas is a time to focus on faith through the nativity seasonal fasts and spiritual readings, Christmas songs or Kalanda.
Festivities begin with the heartfelt greeting and wish of XRONIA POLLA or Many Years to you and yours.
Merry Christmas- Καλά Χριστούγεννα
Another precious Greek Christmas tradition has to do with the sea or the Thalassa.
KARAVAKI- Καραβάκι
Karavaki, which means little boat, is a long-standing Greek Christmas tradition, which began in 1833 with King Otto of Bavaria. The king decorated the first Christmas tree in Greece, and it was always next to a decorated Christmas boat.
Thessaloniki, Greece’s capitol of the North, was the first large city in 1999 to display a huge, decorated boat in Aristotelous Square.
Why decorate boats?
Greeks have a symbiotic relationship with the sea for all that the sea or Thalassa brings the people of the nation.
Additionally, Greece is a nation of sailors, where men are often away from home for long stretches of time. The Greek City Times shares an in-depth story of Karavaki. Read the KARAVAKI STORY in Greek City Times.
Remember, you too can create memories by creating or passing down traditions to the people in your life.
In the meantime, my dear friend, may you and your beloved friends and family enjoy a blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy holiday season.
May you be Ola Kala- All is Well
Sending you filakia and kisses
Kiki