In Greece, some names are very common. Traditions and superstitions vary from island to island, from villages to villages and from region to region. Symbols of good luck. In many towns around Greece and in the islands, local customs revive. Another example is that someone that compliments a baby, a child or even an adult for its beauty, has also to spit three times on the complimented person so that he doesn't give him the bad eye (mati). The Ancient Greek practice of Hellenism lives on as a modern religion. If a bride is wearing gloves, placing a lump of sugar inside one of them is … In Fransham's 1769 book The Oestrum of Orpheus, he advanced a theolog… Analogies and coincidences between ancient and modern Greece had been pointed out prior to the publication of this edition, but no large attempt had been made to trace the continuity of the life and thought of the Greek people, and to exhibit modern Greek folklore as an essential factor in the interpretation of ancient Greek religion. The rain makes the land fertile. In Greece, the engagement period may last for years and it is like a commitment to the families. These were typically devoted to one or a few gods, and supported a statue of the particular deity. This is just a small sample of an 18-year professional life as a Greek wedding photographer, highlighting the breadth and wealth of the Greek culture! Nowadays, many couples prefer to have their wedding on a Saturday. That promise was an engagement ceremony, where the couple exchanged engagement rings and wore them on their left ring finger. To avoid the matiasma, those who believe in it wear a charm, a little blue bead with an eye painted on it. In those circumstances it is easy to overlook the fact that most Greeks “believed” in their gods in roughly the modern sense of the term and that they prayed in a time of crisis not merely to the “relevant” deity but to any deity on whose aid they had established a claim by sacrifice. From Christmas until the Epiphany Day (January 6th), they come up to the world and tease people with many pranks. Can I Have a Cup of Coffee? They vary from region to region. Greece Today . Feb 22, 2017 Ian Harvey. What are some modern Greek traditions? the most common burial practice was interment. That aside, the koufeta are part of the servings to the guests at the house the morning following the wedding. The couple exchanges wedding rings that are worn on the left hand. Votive deposits would be left at the altar, such as food, drinks, as well as precious objects. What can I say? After reading about the traditions, get also informed about the Greek language. Votive deposits would be left at the altar, such as food, drinks, as well as precious objects. On the Thursday before a Sunday wedding, the dowry was taken to the couple's future home with carriages, horses, cars or even trucks! We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and to analyze site traffic. During the 18th century, several notable authors and freethinkers embraced Ancient Greek religion to some extent, studying and translating ancient works of theology and philosophy, and in some cases composing original hymns and devotionals to the Ancient Greek pantheon. Theatre today as in ancient Greek times is a popular form of entertainment. The Good Saturday Dinner takes place after midnight and consists of mayiritsa, tsoureki (Easter cake) and red eggs. Corfu island is the most famous place for Easter. On the "name day" of someone, his friends and family visit him without invitation and offer wishes and small presents. Greek religion, religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Hellenes. This service begins with the prayer, "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us," repeated three times. That means they are the lucky ones who collect great experience and wedding knowledge. Just as modern Christianity and Judaism have been significantly influenced by the ancient Greek religion, the Greeks themselves were heavily influenced by the cultures that came before. Greek Naming Tradition: how do babies take their names. (The Very Revd. On Good Thursday or Good Saturday, women dye eggs in red and bake buns. That is why when someone talks bad news (deaths, accidents, etc), the others slightly spit three times saying ftou, ftou, ftou. Greek ceremonies and rituals were mainly performed at altars. It is very likely for a Greek couple to exchange engagement rings prior the wedding. There is one ancient Greek superstition is completely interwoven into modern … It was also customary for the bride to display her dowry at her parent's home so people could wish her upon her imminent wedding, before she moved the dowry to her new home. It is believed that spitting chases the devil and the misfortune away. The Difference between Greek and Modern theatres Difference between Greek and Modern Theatres. Linear A and Linear B are the two most ancient types of written language in Greece. It's also a tradition that single women sleep with a couple of koufeta under their pillow for 3 days so they can dream of their husband to be! It is a tradition that doesn't usually involve the groom. Over the course of time that incident became a superstition and was established as a ground rule: No couple should get married on a leap year. There was the belief in an afterlife and it was called the underworld or Hades. They believe they shouldn't be making and drink coffee on a wedding day! Just before midnight, all of the lights of the church are turned off, symbolizing the darkness and silent of the tomb, while the priest lights a candle from the Eternal Flame, sings the psalm Christos Anesti (meaning Christ has risen) and offers the flame to light the candles of the people. The firstborn is usually named after one of the paternal grandparents. It is a custom in Greece to get engaged before getting married. Where to stay? Everyone passes the flame one to another. Greeka? Unlike what was believed in the past – that if something is not done as the ancestors dictated then the wedding was doomed to fail – people have finally convinced themselves that tradition is there to make things happier and merrier, not harder :). Greek Mythology: Famous Greeks: Timeline: Interactive Greece: Websites facts about ancient egypt for kids Facts about Egypt today ... information on ancient egypt for children . . Hope you enjoy reading this Greek wedding traditions “memoir” just as much as I did writing it! That said, Sundays remain favourite wedding days, although many couples show a preference for weekday weddings, too. The “making the Bed” is one of the most popular and well-known traditions in Greece that takes place before the wedding. The bells ring continuously and people throw fireworks. It represents the wish the new couple will never be divided. On October 28th, the Greeks celebrate the day when the Greek dictator Metaxas refused to let the Italians invaded the country during World War II. The hobgoblins are known as kallikantzari in Greek. The word orthodox translates to “right believing,” and followers of the Greek Orthodox faith have preserved and strictly followed the traditions and doctrines of the early churches established during that time. What this means is that aspects of contemporary religious beliefs are ultimately dependent upon ancient cultures that we no longer have any access to or knowledge of. Read reviews about our services. We provide below information about traditional festivities (Name day celebration, Engagement, Carnival, Clean Monday, Easter, Greek Independence Day, The Ohi Day) and Superstitions (the Evil Eye (Mati), Spitting, Black cat, Hobgoblins, Tuesday the 13th, The expression Piase Kokkino). The Greek Orthodox Church follows beliefs and practices laid out in the first seven ecumenical councils, which date back to the first ten centuries A.D. In Greece, name days are more important than birthdays. You will find below the many Greek traditions still honored in Greek modern culture, no matter people's age, until today. These were typically devoted to one or a few gods, and supported a statue of the particular deity. Part of a Greek funeral tradition is a memorial service which is usually held on the first Sunday after the funeral, This is meant to be a token of appreciation to God for His mercy, and also as a remembrance of the deceased. It is the celebration of the heroic OXI (NO): most Greeks put a Greek flag on their windows and balconies, while a parade takes place with the participation of school students and the army. Worshippers came to the altar and sacrificed the animal they had chosen there. Do you like This meant that their daughter should have her clothes, underwear, kitchenware, home decorative items, and linen all ready for when she'd meet her husband. RITUALS: The Greek people felt that the only ways to appease their gods and bring good fortune were to sacrifice and pray. For example: Other treats and sweets also offered to the guests include: (The Very Revd. Likewise, if it rains the day of your wedding, you will have many children!• If the wedding rings or stefana fall down, it is not a good sign.• Leap year weddings were considered to be doomed to fail for thousands of years now. The connection between birth and death is also symbolised through the annual death and resurrection of the lovers of the Mother Goddesses, such as the vegetation god, Adonis. As for the day of the wedding, most weddings used to take place on a Sunday. Top Greek islands & Mainland Destinations, Popular Greek islands & mainland destinations. Greek ceremonies and rituals were mainly performed at altars. ), or even earlier. Present is only the bride-to-be, although modern couples tend to prefer a joined “making the bed” experience! Easter is the most important celebration for the Greeks, even more than Christmas. The Number of KoufetaThe number of koufeta placed inside a bomboniere should always be an odd number. That is because it's believed that an odd number cannot be divided by 2. Clean Monday or Lent Monday is the first day of the Lent (Saracosti) during which families go for a picnic in the countryside and fly kites. The Carnival is believed to come from paganism, and more precisely from the old festivities worshipping Dionysus, the god of wine and feast. However, you may also see silver, gold, pink, green, orange or even blue koufeta if the couple has decided to match their bombonieres with the wedding theme! The main feature of Modern Greek traditions, in contrast (January 1), there was a custom of reading bones. The cuisine is centered on fresh, local ingredients such as goat cheese, olives and olive oil, and fresh produce. In Greece, the bride's arrival is a much-anticipated event, and guests gather outside … Τhere are usually 7 koufeta in each bomboniere as are the Divine Mysteries of the Orthodox Church. The English author John Fransham(1730–1810) was one example, considered an eccentric by his peers, who was also referred to as a pagan and a polytheist. Today, couples get engaged to share the joy they feel for having found their significant other and the person they want to spend their entire life with! It is considered bad luck if otherwise. As for their colour, white koufeta are traditionally used for a wedding as white symbolises purity. It’s no wonder that, although a couple can follow as many rituals as they want, the majority of Greek weddings follow most of the traditions. Rituals of death and dying in modern and ancient Greece is nevertheless a very informative work on its own, offering a very valuable and often overlooked point of view – that of women – on Greek death rituals and cults. Blue is believed to be the color that wards off the evil eye, but it is also believed that people with blue eyes are most possible givers of the matiasma. Today’s theatres share many similarities with the Greek predecessors however they are also very different. The first written Greek was found on baked mud tablets, in the remains of the Knossos Palace on the island of Crete. Apart from a national celebration, this day is also a religious celebration dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. People who follow this path are known as Hellenes, Hellenic Reconstructionists, Hellenic Pagans, or by one of many other terms. Customs and traditions in Greece and the Greek Islands are an important aspect of the Greek culture. Protopresbyter Joseph Paliouras serves at the 12 Apostles Church in Hertfordshire, UK). Do not hesitate to ask the community! These could be simple or they be part of an elaborate ceremony but it was almost always carried out upon an altar, often inside a temple. Where in the world is Greece? Are you eager to postpone your wedding for another year and a day!!! Traditionally, wedding bombonieres (wedding favours) are filled with sweet sugar almonds called koufeta that are given to the guests. These items were either purchased by the single girl herself and her mother, or handmade. Our services are rated Do you have a question about Greece and the Greek islands? Commonly, a culture may be seen through the lens of death rituals; how those are shaped, interpreted and used by the society. Can I see the Bride?The groom to be is not allowed to see his bride the day before the wedding. This happens because Greeks believe that saying the same thing is an omen and that the two persons will get into a fight or an argument if they don't touch something red. They have a strong symbolic meaning at the wedding and their egg shape represents fertility. A complete guide of how the Greek wedding traditions are still relevant to modern couples getting married in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and other diaspora countries, respecting their heritage in a contemporary way. Unlike the western belief, in Greece, the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th and not Friday the 13th. The very presence of our Lord at the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12) just shows us how important this mystery is to our Holly Church, and we can all understand why it is so blessed.Two people become one under the eyes of God and promise to share a life filled with sincere, pure, and constant love and respect, not withstanding each other's failures and defects; just like Christ gave himself for the church. Even though religion… Also if a glass or mirror breaks, it is believed to be bad luck for seven years. The family and friends of the bride and groom gather at the couple's new home to help with the preparation of the bed. Until a few years ago, parents with girls would prepare their dowry as it was a big deal back then. The most famous Carnival Parade takes place in the city of Patra. The evil eye is a superstition that a great percentage of Greeks believe … Modern Greek language is a descendant of Ancient Greek or Hellenic branch of Indo-European language. We love greek wedding traditions, however, The rich Greek folklore is meant to add traditional elements to a wedding and not overwhelm the couple and their families with too much stress. Some Greeks, especially in villages, believe that someone can catch the evil eye, or matiasma, from someone else's jealous compliment or envy. Everyone is costumed and parties take place in the streets and bars, throwing colored confetti to each other. On this page we look at these differences and similarities. And more? There is evil in the air. This is another reason why the groom lifts her up in his arms and takes her inside their home! Greek language - Greek language - Modern Greek: Modern Greek derives from the Koine via the local varieties that presumably arose during the Byzantine period and is the mother tongue of the inhabitants of Greece and of the Greek population of the island of Cyprus. The Greek Independence Day is celebrating the declaration of the Independence War against the Ottomans on March 25th, 1821. This ritual ends with a child (usually a boy) been rolled across the bed to guarantee fertility! The unmarried bride's friends make the bed and then family members and friends throw money, coins, rice, and rose petals on the bed for good luck and a happy life. If you won’t find what you’re looking for then please try posting your questions in our forum. The man has to ask for the hand of the woman from her father and close family, while the two families give presents to the bride and groom. Today, dowry is no longer a necessity, except for very few cases in villages. That's a way to cast away the evil spirits lurking under the flooring to catch the bride! On Epiphany Day, the priest of the village goes from house to house and sprinkles the rooms with blessed water so that the hobgoblins return underground. This research, therefore, combines ethnography with historical sources to examine the relationship between modern Greek death rituals and ancient written and visual sources on the subject of death and gender. To all of you planning to get married soon, please accept my fatherly advice and choose to start your new life and meet within the bosom of our Church. Religion in Ancient Greece dominated almost every aspect of life. Plus, to get the parents' blessings for the new chapter of their life opening up in front of them! If for not anything else, it increases suspense!The groom carries his bride on his hands and, together, they enter their home (or their hotel room) the first night after the wedding. According to the folk Christmas traditions, the hobgoblins are short, ugly creatures with many deformities. During the night of the Holy Saturday (Megalo Savato), everybody dresses well and goes to the church where a ceremony is held. There are either of a religious character or coming from paganism. Their sugary flavour symbolises the sweetness of the couple's future life while their hard almond heart represents the endurance of the marriage. The “making the Bed” is one of the most popular and well-known traditions in Greece that takes place before the wedding. Greek people regularly gather in large family groups for their daily meals, which often take hours to eat. These are only some of the questions that probably cross some people’s minds when they’re planning a trip to Greece. It's Bad (or Good) Luck to...• It is bad luck a bride sees another bride.• If it's raining on your wedding day, you should be happy! In the previous years, if a woman was seen hanging out with a man, especially in the evening hours, she was criticised by society and considered a woman with no values. Everyone is costumed and parties take place in the streets and bars, throwing colored confetti to … On a wedding, the photographers are the only vendors who follow the couple from the begging to the end of their big day. After the wedding, these rings will be worn on the right hand. And, when she meets with her groom and they kiss they all clap their hands! Greek superstitions are coming either from religion or paganism. NEK VARDIKOS PHOTOGRAPHIA & VIDEO | LONDON, GREEK ISLANDS AND INTERNATIONALLY. The Romans believed that February was the month of the dead, so no weddings were performed during that month until very recently. Protopresbyter Joseph Paliouras serves at the 12 Apostles Church in Hertfordshire, UK). When a king got married on a leap year, nobody else could get married that year. Hellenismos originated with Emperor Julian, when he attempted to bring back the religion of his ancestors following the arrival of Christianity. Before a Greek Orthodox funeral is held, a brief Trisagion prayer service is chanted for the family usually on the day before the funeral. The Greek culture in overall is strongly influenced by the Greek Orthodox Church. In Greece, the Carnival is called "Apokries". Heck, NO!In some areas in Greece, the family (particularly old ladies) doesn't offer a cup of coffee. On Easter Sunday, the family roasts the lamb on the spit. Depending on the area where a wedding takes place, different treats are offered to the guests before the wedding. This comes from an ancient tradition that was intended to ensure the continuation of a name. Hence, the experiences of death, dying and bereavement are thread through religious beliefs and customs, alongside cultural norms. Greece is a small country in south east Europe. 104 Greek Women and Religion, Modern and Ancient: Festivals and Cults Earth with her own son, the corn-seed, in order to make the ground fertile. In Greece, the Carnival is called "Apokries". When two people say the same thing together at the same time, they immediately say piase kokkino (touch red) one to another and both have to touch any red item they can find around them. This is the most obvious difference between ancient and modern religions. After the procession returns to the church where the believers kiss the image of the Christ. There are numerous traditions that come in stages with every stage having its own process, meaning, and symbolisation according to customs and religion rituals. Most Greeks are named after a religious saint. Passing on our valuable heritage, one way or another, is important, and we all feel it deep in our souls. A very important tradition is that everyone who has a name coming from a saint celebrated by the church celebrates his name on a given day of the year. Ancient Greek religious practice, essentially conservative in nature, was based on time-honored observances, many rooted in the Bronze Age (3000–1050 B.C. A person who has caught the evil eye usually feels bad physically and psychologically. At this time The Trisagion Service is performed many times for the deceased. Furthermore, most of the traditions and festivals still celebrated today are religious. Truth be told, nobody wants to miss the bride's arrival. Read also: Greek Naming Tradition: how do babies take their names? The history of a Greek funeral is filled with tradition, but has seen a few changes from ancient to modern times. Hellenismos is the term used to describe the modern equivalent of the traditional Greek religion. Where to eat? Greek traditions Greek names, Greek baptisms. Even to the photographer! Now, if the groom is present, the making of the bed is a tedious and fun tradition, where the single ladies make and re-make the bed until the groom gives his approval! Modern-day religions are central to the lives of billions of people around the world. Most recipes have been handed down thr… Ancient Greek religions was polytheistic and its many god all had human-like characteristics. Read also in our blog: Christmas Customs in Greece | Christmas food in Greece | Tsiknopempti. As Fr Joseph Paliouras mentions: For Apostle Paul marriage is a great Mystery and illustrates a bond of perfect union and devotion; one that is eternal and unbreakable. View Academics in Modern Greek Death Rituals on Academia.edu. Contemporary Greek culture and traditions are very rich and diverse, reflecting Greece's location at the crossing point where the West meets the East and the country's great and turbulent history. Let's Cross the Doorstep Together, Honey!It is believed that if the bride trips or falls while passing the doorstep of her new home, she will have a turbulent marriage. A couple can get married anytime they want, except during fasting periods, according to the Orthodox Church. On Good Friday, the day of mourning, the Epitaphios, the tomb of Christ with its icon, decorated with flowers, is taken out of the church and carried around the village followed by a slow procession. The family and friends of the bride and groom gather at the couple's new home to help with the preparation of the bed. When they got married, the same engagement rings were their wedding rings, too, only after the ceremonial rituals and blessings they were worn on the right hand to signify the couple's new “man and wife” status! In this case, an expert in xematiasma must tell a special pray to release the person in pain from the bad effects of the evil eye. The festival consists of two weeks of the feast, beginning from the Sunday of Meat Fare and ends with the first day of the Lent, called Clean Monday (Kathari Deutera). Greek Burial and Cremation. The Evil Eye. There were also demigods like Achilles and Heracles which were half god, half human. This custom is still vivid in the Greek mainland and the islands, while gradually it tends to disappear. Before the population exchange in 1923, there were Greek-speaking communities in Turkey (Pontus and Cappadocia). It should be noted that the bombonieres are only offered by single girls and guests receiving them usually wish the girls a quick and happy marriage to them, too! The hostess of the house offers pastries, sweets and hors d'oeuvres to the guests. The whole culture in Greece is centered on the dinner table. The Greeks are very superstitious and believe a lot in religion but also in supernatural or paranormal phenomenon. But there are many other differences - and some similarities too. It all started with royal families which ruled that when a wedding between blue-blooded was taking place, no other wedding was allowed within that same year. This paper aims to look at the Modern Greek culture and depict its ‘visualization’ of death, as well as capture the rituals that mostly identify this specific culture. It is a tradition that doesn't usually involve the groom. Whether the meal is eaten at home or in a restaurant, this is the chief mode of socialization for families and their friends. The central theme of this work is women’s role in connection with the cult of the dead in ancient and modern Greece. What a wonderful sensation! To restore the girl's reputation, the man seen with her should give a wedding promise. If the bones of to those of ancient Greek, is the fact that these predictions are no the chicken eaten were “full, complete” – the harvest that year was longer oficial religious practice. However, there are also bombionieres with 5 koufeta, which symbolise fertility, health, happiness, longevity, and prosperity. All year round, they live underground and saw the tree of the year. The festival consists of two weeks of the feast, beginning from the Sunday of Meat Fare and ends with the first day of the Lent, called Clean Monday (Kathari Deutera). In this section of Hellenism.Net, we’ll explore and try to answer some of these questions. Greeka team and its community members will be delighted to help you! Processional. At remote villages in Greece, an engagement ceremony is still considered a big deal. “This is a great mystery, and it is an illustration of the way Christ and the Church are one.” (Ephesians 5:32). For the faithful, religious practice provides a link between humanity and the spiritual world, joining people together in communities of worship and service. Beginning in about 3000 B.C. If someone sees a black cat, this is supposed to be bad luck for the rest of the day. The Virgin Mary day before the wedding, even more than Christmas in this section Hellenism.Net!, a little blue bead with an eye painted on it nobody else get. 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