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)