Jan 4, 2024 | Christmas in Greece
The Theofania – The Epiphany Day – The Fota What do the Greeks celebrate the Theofania on January 6? The Theofania is a public holiday for the Greek Orthodox Christians. They celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ by St Ioannis, the Baptist. During the...
Dec 31, 2023 | Christmas in Greece
Greek New Year’s customs The first foot on the first day of the New Year – Το ποδαρικό What is the «ποδαρικό»? The “first foot” on the first day of the New Year is one of the oldest customs in all the parts of Greece. The first person who enters the house, after...
Dec 29, 2023 | Christmas in Greece
What is the Vasilopita cake – What is the New Year’s cake? Vasilopita is the sweet pie Greeks make for Santa Claus. Greeks make the Vasilopita the New Year’s Eve. Vasilopita is a round cake with sugar powder. On the upper part of the Vasilopita, the...
Dec 27, 2023 | Christmas in Greece
The manger The manger is located in the center of the icon. The cave of Jesus birth reveals the darkness of the pre-Christian world, where now the Divine Infant shines. The darkness of the cave symbolizes peoples’ ignorance before the birth of Jesus Christ....
Dec 23, 2023 | Christmas in Greece
Christmas carols from Dodekanese This is the day when Jesus Christ, the Savior, was born from his Virgin Mothem, Mariam. God becomes human Unborn is born humble in the manger. Angels tell the news to shepherds The star of Bethlehem shows the miracle to the three wise...
Dec 20, 2023 | Christmas in Greece
“The burning holly of Chistmas” The night Jesus Christ was born, the shepherds went to worship the Divine Infant. It was dark and they found a holly tree somewhere. They cut off its branches. Each shepherd took a branch in his hand, lit a fire and filled...
