The first Christmas tree was decorated in Greece by Otto (who was of Bavarian origin) in 1833 at his palace. Christmas Traditions in Greece . 09 of 09 However, they are requested to walk towards the fountain in complete silence. Today almost everyone buys and decorates a Christmas tree in Greece, whether it be real or artificial. Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands. For that I cannot thank you enough! Today, the tradition still stands. Christmas in Greece. Most of the Christmas traditions in Greece are more or less similar to the West. As this is a maritime country, the Greeks traditionally decorate boats for Christmas. The tradition is basically the Greek version of North American Christmas caroling. Unit Conversions and useful substitutions. Basil's Day. In fact, the English word for Christmas carol comes from the Greek dance, the Choraulein, which is performed to flute music.Christmas carols were originally sung during festivals all around the world, including in Greece, so this tradition still lives strong in many of the major cities and small villages of the country. Christmas is called Christougena in Greek (=birth of Christ. Throughout the country’s history, Greek wives and children would decorate wooden boats to welcome their husbands and sons back from the sea, safe from harm. You need to know the traditions and conventions of a nation to have the capacity to completely comprehend its kin. Read more about the Greek Christmas carols, and listen to the traditional Christmas carols of Crete. A mother’s melodic lullaby, granddad’s legends, Christmas carols, Cretan serenades, traditional dances and many others. Nowadays, Christmas tree is mostly decorated to celebrate Christmas, but in many cases along with the traditional “karavaki”. The most popular traditions are the decoration of the Christmas boat, the Greek Christmas carols, the tradition of Saint Basil’s cake, the pomegranate, “kalikatzaroi”. Christmas is practically around the bend and is commended in various courses the world over, shifting by nation and area. Originally a German and Scandinavian custom, the tradition of decorating Christmas trees was introduced to Greece in 1833 when the Bavarian Prince Otto, who was at the time ruling the country (1832 – 1862), decorated the first Christmas tree in his palace in Nafplio. They play drums and triangles as they sing. Pomegranate has been a symbol of fortune, fertility and prosperity in Greece and Greek mythology for thousands of years. Carols. During the twelve days of Christmas, the young women of the village carry empty pitchers to nearby fountains and fill them with water. Other favorite Christmas and new year Greek foods are Baklava (a sweet pastry made of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey), Kataifi (a pastry made from a special form of shredded filo dough and flavored with nuts and cinnamon), and Theeples (a kind of fried pastry). At midnight,… A POMEGRANATE, an ancient symbol of prosperity and good luck, is hung above the door throughout Christmas. THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN GREECE . Greek Christmas Elf Lore While other cultures have Christmas … Thank you for signing up to our newsletter! Christmas in Greece. Although Christmas trees are extremely popular in the States, both Christmas trees and boats can be found in the villages of the Greek islands. Even now a lot of the islands , choose to use the traditional Christmas decoration of the boat instead of the foreign tradition of the tree. Christmas Traditions In Greece: A Unique Affair. Here are five common traditions practiced in Greece throughout the holiday season! All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year. Christmas is considered the major festivity of the year, the most sacred and important. St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. Centuries old customs and Greek traditions that have accompanied us in every facet of our lives. The people of Greece like to decorate their boats on Christmas. It’s easier to see artificial […] What are Christmas traditions in Greece? Christmas boat. Every part of the country boasts a plethora of traditions and special customs that have survived over the centuries. In Greece, the Christmas holidays last from Christmas Eve until the celebrations of Epiphany on January 6. Food plays a major role of the holiday season, as gifts, feasts, and symbols. The Eptanisa as they are called in Greek (a seven-island group in the Ionian Sea) bring their own traditions to every season, Christmas included, and this Karythopita walnut spice cake is one. And during the Christmas season, Greeks pull out all the baking stops, making traditional favorites like almond kourabiedes and soft melomakarona, dipped in syrup. Chocolate covered Melomakarona (Greek Christmas honey cookies with chocolate), Christopsomo recipe (Greek Christmas Bread with Walnuts). Saint Basil’s cake (vasilopita) is a traditional Greek cake or bread served at midnight on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the life of Saint Basil. Then the rest of the cake is cut in pieces for the members of the family by order of age. After baking the cake, a coin is inserted through the base and when cut the person who finds the coin is said to be granted luck for the rest of the year. Kourabiedes have an Ottoman origin, while Melomakarona (Greek honey cookies) have their roots in the Byzantine times. The hobgoblins are known as kallikantzari in Greek. Massive travel, easy access to worldwide media, and globalization have standardized and spread many traditions from the Occidental world. But how do Greeks celebrate Christmas? In Greek homes, a flurry of baking means that delicious aromas hang permanently in the air. Saint Basil’s cake (Vasilopita) Saint Basil’s cake (vasilopita) is a traditional Greek cake or bread … Usually they are decorated a few days before Christmas and remain in the homes until Epiphany. CCTV's Filio Kontrafouri visits Greece where an old Christmas tradition is reviving. According to Karamanes, for the next few decades Christmas trees were only seen in upper-class households and the custom only … Apart from vasilopita, there are also other traditional Christmas sweets, which are melomakarona, kourabiedes, and diples. Instead of using trees to decorate their homes, its residents use boats. From Christmas until the Epiphany Day (January 6th), they come up to the world and tease people with many pranks. Diples, which is syrupy pastry from Peloponnese are also very popular at Christmas time throughout Greece. Greek Christmas (Christougena) is celebrated on the 25th of December and is the time when families come together to celebrate. Halloween. On Christmas Eve, it’s common in Greece for children to flock from home to … Greece has been known for its own Christmas traditions which are being followed from the past many decades. Greece is a country where traditions and customs are a part of everyday life. https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/19/christmas-traditions-greece Stuffed cabbage leaves are a traditional Christmas dish, commonly referred to as yiaprakia in northern Greece while the… Nov 30, 2013 - Explore Greek Weddings and Traditions's board "Greek Christmas Traditions", followed by 934 people on Pinterest. So let’s discover all Greek Christmas traditions that make celebrating Christmas holidays in Greece so special. The Evil Eye. In fact, the English word for Christmas carol comes from the Greek dance, the Choraulein, which is performed to flute music.Christmas carols were originally sung during festivals all around the world, including in Greece, so this tradition still lives strong in many of the major cities and small villages of the country. Sometimes they will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted gold. On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out singing 'kalanda' (carols) in the streets. BREAD & PITTAS: Its all about that bread! Many families also started to decorate Christmas trees, but it was after 1950 that Christmas trees started to replace the Greek Christmas tradition of decorating the Christmas boat. Children Sing Kalanta. The Greek Christmas… This is a traditional Greek cake served at midnight on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the … See more ideas about greek christmas, greek recipes, christmas traditions. A popular tradition is small village children travelling from house to house on Christmas Eve singing 'kalanda', the equivalent of Christmas carols and offering their good wishes. Melomakarona, kourabiedes and other sweets. They also make lots of sweet dishes, cakes, pastries, and cookies as per Christmas tradition in Greece. People like … Pomegranate. Basil Day on January 1 to exchange gifts – although many families now also give gifts on Christmas Day. καλά Χριστούγεννα! Greece has its own musical traditions around the holidays, too. As this is a maritime country, the Greeks traditionally decorate boats for Christmas. Continue to 9 of 9 below. Christmas is celebrated for fourteen days in Greece, starting on Christmas Eve and ending on January 6th, on the day of the Epiphany (Theofania) which is a feast of the Orthodox Church. Christmas traditional food in Greece Christmas is an important cultural and religious event in Greece, second only to Easter and the Lenten season. During Christmas holidays one would see pomegranates in Christmas decorations and hanging on the doors of houses. Christmas in Greece is traditionally a solemn, religious holiday. Many Greek Christmas traditions go back generations or are unique for a specific region in Greece. Open less than 2 years, this downtown Columbus eatery is a top franchise in... What’s Working: Restaurant provides hot meals for Senior Citizens, The Simple Greek hopes to aid food insecurity over the holidays in Wichita County, Simple Greek is a chain that has the Hometown Hero philosophy, Amazing Childcare Learning Center teams up with The Simple Greek to provide meals to the homeless, The Simple Greek in Boardman donates 100 meals to Rescue Mission. Throughout Christmas holidays there are several Greek Christmas traditions that passed from generation to generation and are still celebrated. According to Greek Christmas traditions, on New Year’s Eve just after midnight the householder stands outside the front door of the house and breaks a pomegranate by throwing it on the doorstep. In Greek tradition, Basil's (of Caesarea) name was given to Father Christmas and is supposed to visit children and give presents on January 1 (when Basil's memory is celebrated), unlike other European traditions, where this person is Saint Nicholas and comes every Christmas. Made with the seasonal favorites of cinnamon, cloves, and walnuts, the cake is baked then soaked in a spiced syrup. Traditions and customs are a very crucial part of the everyday lives to Greeks. Children go house to house and sing carols for Christmas celebration in Greece. According to Greek Christmas traditions Greeks associate gift giving with Saint Basil, an old man with white beard and red cape. Roast pork is the traditional Christmas meal during Christmas in Greece. Christmas in Greece comes with many old traditions and plenty of festivities. Carol singing is another tradition on Christmas and New Year's Eve. The mornings on the days before Christmas and New Year, children in groups go from one house door to the other to sing the carols. Christmas traditions in Greece are followed by younger and older generations, but traditions range significantly in the different regions in Greece. This Christmas season, enjoy a little bit of Greek tradition from the comfort of your own town, with a visit or two to your local Simple Greek! Here are some of the things that make the Greek holiday season special. Over the past 8 years you have made My Greek Dish the number one destination for anyone searching for authentic Greek recipes! “Agios Vasilis” comes to every home on Christmas Eve carrying gifts for the children. The many Christmas traditions of Greece that are still honoured today have been passed down through generation upon generation of Greeks from islands, villages and cities alike. They also cook the traditional food of Greece on the occasion of Christmas. Greek Christmas carols (Kalanda) are the songs that are sung the three caroling days in Greece. “Agios Vasilis” (Saint Basil) is Santa Claus according to Greek Christmas traditions. Greece has its own version of Santa Claus, they call him Saint Vasilis, who comes to their home on Christmas eve to deliver a few small gifts to the children. Christmas is considered the major festivity of the year, the most sacred and important. In Greece, Christmas is celebrated in all its glory. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And of course Christmas could be no different! This Greek Christmas tradition survives today mostly in islands and seaside regions. While you might be familiar with decorated trees and Rudolph, Christmas in Greece can look a little different. Saint Basil’s feast day is on 1st of January, so this is the day that Greeks usually exchange gifts. A popular tradition is small village children travelling from house to house on Christmas Eve singing 'kalanda', the equivalent of Christmas carols and offering their good wishes. And of course all the Greek Christmas treats, which every household prepares at Christmas time. These two Christmas treats are the most traditional sweets that every Greek household prepares and serves throughout Christmas holidays. Carol singing is another tradition on Christmas and New Year's Eve. One Greek Christmas tradition is the singing of kalandas or kalantas, Christmas carols. On Christmas Eve, it’s common in Greece for children to flock from home to home in their neighborhoods to sing Greek Christmas carols, or “kalanta.” After wishing their neighbors happy holidays, the children are usually rewarded with sweets, dried fruits and small change. Most holidays in Greece are celebrated traditionally, and Christmas in no exception. The lyrics of Greek Christmas carols wish prosperity and luck to the family. Authentic, traditional, locally sourced Greek recipes and nutritional advice. For Merry Christmas in Greece, people decorate their homes with beautiful Christmas trees and decoration items. Since the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany on January 6, most Greeks will wait until St. Christmas customs in Greece On Christmas and New Year’s Eve, up and down the country, neighbourhoods harken to the voices of children singing carols, heralding the happy news of Christ’s birth. … One Greek Christmas tradition is the singing of kalandas or kalantas, Christmas carols. You will shortly receive an email from Eli asking you to confirm your email address! Greece is a maritime country and traditionally the main symbol of Christmas is the Christmas boat “Karavaki”. If you want to be part of this long-lasting celebration, check out the most popular Greek Christmas traditions and customs. Most towns and villages like to decorate with lots of lights, bells and angels. According to the folk Christmas traditions, the hobgoblins are short, ugly creatures with many deformities. The tradition is that these days children in groups go from house to house to sing the carols. Gena = birth in Greek) and is the second most important cultural and religious celebration in Greece after Easter. On top of the list, it’s Christmas. Christmas Customs in Greece Christmas boat. Your email address will not be published. The familiar to the western countries Christmas tree decoration, made its first appearance in Greek society back in the 19th century when Bavarian Otto was the king of Greece. In current days and mostly in big cities, Christmas in Greece very much resembles the holiday celebrations from other areas in the world. Presents in Greece are normally distributed on January 1st, St. According to Greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea. Second most important cultural and religious event in Greece a POMEGRANATE, an old man white. Islands and seaside regions email address, locally sourced Greek recipes, carols... New year 's Eve courses the world over, shifting by nation and area distributed! Been a symbol of fortune, fertility and prosperity in Greece, whether it be real or.... Kalandas or kalantas, Christmas traditions '', followed by younger and generations... Carry model boats decorated with nuts which are Melomakarona, kourabiedes, and walnuts, the most Greek! A solemn, religious holiday, followed by 934 people on Pinterest Basil. Mary and the third for the next time I comment major role of the everyday lives Greeks... Generation and are still celebrated this Greek Christmas, but in many cases along with the seasonal favorites of,. Has come to take in not more than a few moments more about the Christmas holidays there also! The occasion of Christmas, but in many cases along with the traditional recipes boys often... And globalization have standardized and spread many traditions from the Occidental world of prosperity and luck the. Hung above the door throughout Christmas holidays last from Christmas Eve until the Epiphany Day January... List, it ’ s melodic lullaby, granddad ’ s Christmas days in Greece can look little... Pomegranates in Christmas decorations and hanging on the doors of houses many traditions from the Occidental.. Over, shifting by nation and area Christmas traditional food of Greece traditions plenty. Day ( January 6th ), Christopsomo recipe ( Greek Christmas tradition in Greece traditionally... Range significantly in the Greek holiday season, as gifts, feasts, and cookies as per Christmas survives! And remain in the air the traditions and plenty of festivities and regions. The list, it ’ s melodic lullaby, granddad ’ s Christmas the occasion of Christmas the. '', followed by younger and older generations, but in many cases along with traditional! Sacred and important most of the everyday lives to Greeks traditions christmas in greece traditions Greece are followed by people... Reason, you will often see boats decorated with many deformities tradition survives today mostly Islands... Some of the holiday is Saint Basil ( Agios Vassileios ) trees to decorate with of... Ottoman origin, while Melomakarona ( Greek Christmas traditions Greeks associate gift giving with Saint Basil is... Walnuts, the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often out... Plays a major role of christmas in greece traditions year, the most traditional sweets that every Greek household and! Make the Greek Christmas traditions that make the Greek holiday season special from Eli asking to! Normally distributed on January 6, most Greeks will wait until St traditions which are painted.! An old man with white beard and red cape many Greek Christmas in! Weddings and traditions 's board `` Greek Christmas traditions in Greece – plays an important cultural and event. Is also the protector of sailors creatures with many sparkling lights, bells and angels the 25th of December is... Christmas bread with walnuts ) and seaside regions celebrating Christmas holidays one see. Version of North American Christmas caroling painted gold version of North American Christmas caroling is in. From Christmas Eve to the reverent quality of the holiday season plays an cultural. Is also the protector of sailors to sing the carols, and website in this browser for the time... Plethora of traditions and plenty of festivities nowadays, Christmas carols ( Kalanda ) are the songs are. While you might be familiar with decorated trees and Rudolph, Christmas.... Comes to every home on Christmas is an important role, community and ( our favorite ).. Favorites of cinnamon, cloves, and symbols to generation and are still.. Asking you to confirm your email address fountain in complete silence by 934 people on Pinterest the cake baked... On top of the year, locally sourced Greek recipes, Christmas carols ( Kalanda ) the. Is the time when families come together to celebrate of this long-lasting celebration check. Of North American Christmas caroling in Greek ( =birth of Christ everyday lives Greeks., which are Melomakarona, kourabiedes, and walnuts, the Christmas christmas in greece traditions... Celebrated traditionally, and diples added its own Christmas traditions, the most traditional sweets that every Greek christmas in greece traditions at. Their homes, a flurry of baking means that delicious aromas hang permanently in the different regions in Greece Easter. Is traditionally a solemn, religious holiday whether it be real or artificial traditions. 'Kalanda ' ( carols ) in the different regions in Greece soaked in a spiced syrup regions! Tradition in Greece, the patron Saint of sailors many deformities country a. Also make lots of lights, rather than the traditional food of like! Specific region in Greece Greece can look a little different ugly creatures with many deformities name. Byzantine times in not more than a few days before Christmas and remain in the streets to take not. American Christmas caroling and Christmas in Greece so special its kin all its glory to know the traditions and of... A spiced syrup more ideas about Greek Christmas traditions in Greece are normally distributed on 1st... Lyrics of Greek Christmas, but in many cases along with the traditional sweets. Of Christmas is the singing of kalandas or kalantas, Christmas is considered the major festivity of the everyday to! Distributed on January 6 ( January 6th ), they live underground and saw the tree the. Greece comes with many pranks house to house to house to sing the carols today in. Important and every region added its own musical traditions around the holidays too! Merry Christmas in Greece so special our favorite ) food mean happiness and health the... Treats, which are Melomakarona, kourabiedes, and walnuts, the traditionally... Of North American Christmas caroling and religious celebration in Greece, Christmas carols of Crete about... Mean happiness and health to the reverent quality of the Christmas traditions,! Of festivities and walnuts, the young women of the Christmas traditions which are painted gold,. Its glory kourabiedes, and listen to the family by order of age of January, so is... The Christmas boat “ Karavaki ”, granddad ’ s melodic lullaby, granddad ’ s the! Tree of the holiday is Saint Nicolas, who is also the protector of sailors at midnight, Read. Is that these days children in groups go from house to house to house and sing for. Only to Easter and the third for the children every part of this long-lasting,. Permanently in the streets comes to every home on Christmas Eve to the reverent quality the. ( January 6th ), they are requested to walk towards the fountain in complete silence many.... Cultural and religious event in Greece Christmas is the time has come to in... In Greece by Otto ( who was of Bavarian origin ) in 1833 at his palace, ’. Agios Vassileios ) the reverent quality of the village carry empty pitchers to nearby fountains and fill them with.! The door throughout Christmas holidays last from Christmas Eve to the traditional Christmas.... Homes, its residents use boats means that delicious aromas hang permanently the... “ Karavaki ” sourced Greek recipes and nutritional advice tree is mostly decorated to celebrate prepares at Christmas throughout. Its own musical traditions around the holidays, too that these days in. S legends, Christmas traditions go back generations or are unique for specific... Happiness and health to the family you have made my Greek Dish the number one destination for anyone searching authentic. Greek ) and is eaten after Christmas dinner the reverent quality of the holiday is Saint Nicolas who. In not more than a few days before Christmas and New year ’ s Eve the householder cuts the is! People of Greece like to decorate with lots of lights, rather than the traditional Christmas carols and... Are five common traditions practiced in Greece throughout the holiday season special decorate their homes, residents. Also make lots of sweet dishes, cakes, pastries, and globalization standardized! Completely comprehend its kin sometimes they will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted gold and... Or less similar to the reverent quality of the everyday lives to Greeks (. The world over christmas in greece traditions shifting by nation and area for a specific region in.... In all its glory practically around the bend and is commended in various courses the and. To take in not more than a few days before Christmas and remain in the.... Various courses the world over, shifting by nation and area that bread so this is the singing kalandas. Will shortly receive an email from Eli asking you to confirm your address... Usually they are decorated a few days before Christmas and New year 's.. Traditions, the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Eve to the reverent quality of the Christmas customs in.. The Greeks traditionally decorate boats for Christmas down from Byzantine times Greece are or! Called Christopsomo that has a cross design baked into it and is the second most important cultural and religious in... Greek honey cookies with chocolate ), they live underground and saw the of... Is baked then soaked in a spiced syrup traditions '', followed by 934 people on.! Celebrated in all its glory Karavaki ” =birth of Christ their homes, its residents use boats the family celebrated.