Christmas in greece in my country _by themis,mike carlos,klainti mpiratsi

The New Year is celebrated in the world with grandeur, pomp and various events. The day is exchange of visits and various gifts and prevailing customs, such as vasilopitas etc., which we inherited from our ancestors the Byzantines, because, according to the information of ancient writers, nor the Greeks or the Romans celebrated the first day of the year. These two people representing the ancient world, used to celebrate the first day of each month. Most Greek cities do not even agree even for the beginning of the year. The same happened between the eastern peoples. The Jan. 1 as beginning of the year prevailed be celebrated in Rome from 48 BC, ie the time of Caesar, and took several items from the Roman festival Saturnalia. Since 1 January received a New Year Romance all peoples and all nations romaiokratoumenoi. The Orthodox Church however, the era of the Great Constantine mainly because wanted to separate Christians from the Pagans, forbidden to Christians to celebrate the New Year as they do. But the results of this prohibition was very young. Deleted only those elements that came in perfect contrast to Christian ethics. The New Year then, as formulated under the influence of the Church and its association with the feast of St Basil, diaionistike so far as popular celebration. The most important traditions is the following: The distribution of gifts to children, which manufacture home housewives. These are mainly sweets, as Kourampiedes, melomakarona etc. Pet small children from the residence sing carols in homes and shops and mazefoun tips. At midnight of stay, a few seconds before 12, switched off the lights and families around the New Year table sing hymns, exchanged kisses and cut the traditional cake. He even finds that the piece of currency, which is hidden inside it, is considered a lucky year. Many a call that has «good omen» on the morning of Day. Also not give anything outside the home, and throwing water out of it and do not mention names of harmful animals, insects, etc. (From the encyclopedia 2002) The Santa Claus On the day of St Basil (New Year) have expectations of a humble and good Greek saint with black beard and dark robe poor, who comes from Kayseri in Cappadocia (Asia Minor) to bless our homes and take their own piece from the cake (a vgazome of Christ, one of the Virgin Mary, a saint of the Kingdom, one of the poor, a house, and after our fall if the gold coin of Christ, the Virgin or saint Kingdom, we in the church ). This is the Holy Basil, the philanthropist bishop of the 4th century AD, the man of letters and modest miracle (one of the Three hierarchy), and not the poniroulis Santa Claus imported from America to advertise and refreshments merchandise traders. It is also good (with the white beard and deep laughter and suffering because of koilitsas-to-fit from the stacks) but ours, the Romios saint, it is more blessed, more deep (in meaning), but less publicity no less lovable. For the story to mention that Santa Claus, the European «Father Christmas», corresponding to St Nicholas and for all countries (except Greece) visited the houses for Christmas. We accept in the New Year, why is the day of the celebration of St Kingdom, which is our «Father Christmas». The form of Santa Claus that we know now we all stood by the American cartoonist Thomas Nast in 1862, based on earlier European traditions, while the red color of the mission took the red because of the known American soft drink used in the form of advertising. Initially it was dressed in the colors of the rainbow. (From the journal of Rethymno «state») The cake The cake, which make the New Year's Eve and cut into festive gathering of family members or other relatives and friends, has its roots in ancient Greco-customs. In Kronia (feast of the god K (X) Security, Lover in Greece) and Saturnalia (saturnalia) of Rome, made sweets and pies, in which currencies and put whoever they happened to the piece, was lucky to fulfill .. . The Orthodox tradition associated with the custom Vasilopita. And the story is as follows. M. Basile, to protect the region, the Kayseri of Cappadocia, from allofylon raid, has picked erano and gold coins and other valuables to give the enemies in order to entice them, not to plunder the country of . The enemy, but ultimately failed to invade in Kayseri and valuables were left. Then the M. Basile said to make small cake - rolls, in which put a gold coin, or something other than all precious things that had accrued. The pies are distributed to all and everyone kratage what they happened to. Too many children were in ... (From the book «Morals, customs and other ...» by Timotheos K. Kilifi)

Christmas in spain!!!!

In Spain the days of Christmas seems to flow at rates similar to those of most countries in the world. The families gathered to have fun, to celebrate and share feelings. We would say that there is a common ceremonial in different cultures: food, drink, song, dance, exchange gifts and other acts of generosity. But Christmas in Spain, are reminiscent of some of the wonderful traditions and customs held here, shedding light on particular aspects of the character of its inhabitants. A Christmas symbol that still has great significance in Spain is the scene of the Holy Birth. This scene is represented in shopping malls, airports, squares in towns and villages throughout the country, and often found the doors and entrances of many Spanish households, and in displays. Squares in several small towns, the nights just before Christmas, organized short theatrical performances that revolve around the Holy Birth, with actors playing the roles of the Virgin Mary, Joseph and the three Magon. Often seen to''participate''in these animals have been linked with the birth of Christ, as lambs, sheep and donkeys. Also, the days preceding Christmas, is likely to listen to children singing in the streets, especially in villages and small towns of rural Spain, respecting the very old tradition called aguinaldo. Even if it is not so popular in recent times in years past could be heard children singing Christmas carols in their neighborhoods outside the houses, his neighbors and relatives. In exchange neighbors usually give children from a few coins or sweet. Dec. 22: Anakoinonontai the winners of the Christmas Lottery On December 22 two important events take place. Students''temporarily''exempt from school because of their obligations Christmas holiday, and, perhaps most importantly, announced the winning number of famous Christmas Lottery. This lottery, the biggest in Spain is a tradition which followed too many. This is a deeply rooted tradition in those days and dates from 1763, when the first started the Charles III. Since then, there is not one years passed without the lottery takes place, and now and officially marks the start of the Christmas holiday. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve The Christmas Eve in Spain called Nochebuena, and, as in many parts of the (Christian) world-celebrated with two distinctive traditions: eating a rich dinner and going to the functioning of Christmas. There is a wide variety of dishes that typically could be found across Spain this evening. Each region has its own separate specialties. Among the typical dishes served on Christmas Eve and the days that follow are roast lamb, pork, milk (usually served in the regions of Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha and Madrid), Stuffed turkey or duck (in Andalusia) and a huge variety of seafood such as shrimp, lobster, crab, and various fish species such as cod, trout, sea bream, sea bass and salmon (depending on the region and depending on the cost). For dessert, there are a variety of sweet Arab origin, which are made mainly from honey, egg and almonds, among which we find the famous turrón (can be made of almond paste, from chocolate, etc.). Other Christmas candy is the polvorones, mantecados, mazapanes, etc. The recipes remain the same for many years, but often invented new combinations of flavors to always keep the interest of the public. For drink should try a glass of cava, the Spanish equivalent of champagne, although the Spaniards say that the Spanish cava is much better. After lunch, many Spaniards go to Christmas service, known as «La misa del Gallo», or «operation of the rooster», because it is said that he first announced the birth of Christ. Dec. 25: Christmas The day of Christmas is the continuation of what began the previous day. The world spends time with his family, eat a meal peripoiimeno, although it is not as rich as the previous day. In many families, children enjoy the gifts they have received from the Papa Noel, the Spanish equivalent of Santa Claus. The custom of gifts given on that day is not as popular as in many countries, as the Spaniards traditionally wait until the day of the Three Magon to exchange gifts. Dec. 28: Day Saints innocent The Dec. 28 marks a day of celebration exclusively Spanish called «Day Saints innocent» and essentially is the anniversary of the murder of infants by Herod in Judea. Although the roots of this day refer to unpleasant images, in modern times, customs held on that day is straight and entertaining .. Many foreigners and tourists who are in Spain these days feel confused, or as irrational and incredible news appearing in newspapers in local governments, wanting to make jokes or compliments to the citizens who should not be taken seriously. Dec. 31: Eve The celebrations taking place on the night of New Year's Eve or Nochevieja is a spectacle that impresses. On large and small squares of Spanish cities, one can see a particular scene, which will undoubtedly include bells of churches and grapes. When the clock is 12, the bells of churches ring 12 times, and this time, all Spaniards eat 12 grapes from grapes, one for each strike of the bell. According to tradition, those who manage to eat all the grapes will have 12 months of prosperity for the new year. Families and friends gathered for the feast that marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new, and in the case of most Spaniards this means a lively celebration until the morning. January 6: Day Three Magon While most of the rest of the world has already started collecting Christmas ornaments, Spaniards continue the celebration. On January 6 children have the honor, after having after the agony of the previous day, discovering the gift they brought the three kings from the East. On Jan. 5 the parents go to the small fry Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos, namely the parade when the three kings arrive in town sharing their sweets, and have the opportunity to request gifts. Later, before going to bed, children leave shoes in a visible position in their home or balcony, and go to sleep hoping that when they wake up to find gifts that they suffer Melchior, the Gkaspar, and Valtasar. For breakfast or after a meal, families often test the typical sweet of the day, Roscón de los Reyes, a large ring-shaped brioche that is decorated with fruit glase, which symbolize the emeralds that decorate the clothes of Three Magon. Somewhere inside the cake is a surprise, and one who will find it crowned king or queen of the house for the remainder of the day