Christmas in Greece

When it is mentioned in Greece about the winter holidays, it is about the traditions and customs
including Christmas , New Year and Epiphany (Epiphany). The Christmas holidays total no less
than 12 days in Greece.
Among the traditions of the "12 days of Christmas" are both some ancient and some relatively
new, among the latter being the decoration of the Christmas tree and the turkey steak for
Christmas. Historically, the day of the commemoration of Christ's birth was designated December
25, 354, and was celebrated in antiquity as the birthday of the deity Mithra, known as the
"Invincible Sun God." It seems that with the Christianization of Greece, the god Mithra was
gradually replaced by the Lord Jesus…Christmas and winter holidays in Greece are not the same
as they were 50 years ago. In the last decades, the western culture has made its way,
imperceptibly, bringing essential transformations of the original Hellenic customs. Today, Greek
Christmas seems to be much brighter, more beautiful, but perhaps even more superficial. In the
shop windows, the Christmas decorations appear a month before the celebration of the Nativity,
and the streets shine with garlands and specifically Western insignia just as early. Until the crisis
hit them hard, the Greeks used, at this time of year, to travel both inside and outside the country.

Tradition still requires family members, from great-grandparents to great-grandchildren, to gather

around the festive Christmas table. December 25 is also the day on which the Greek Orthodox
celebrate all those bearing the name of Emanuel, Manos or Emanuela, all persons endowed at
baptism with these holy names being congratulated with wishes of "Happy Birthday" / "Hronia
pola". Before Western technology and fashion took place in Greece, the Christmas holiday was
simpler, but warmer emotionally, being permeated by a true sense of renewal in Christ.

Christmas fasting in Greece

As with the Romans, fasting before the Lord's birth begins 40 days before Christmas. Orthodox
Christians, like us, do not eat meat, eggs, or milk during this time, trying to purify themselves
from sin and to meet in the truth of the soul the great event of the Savior's coming into the world.

Christmas preparations

As the great holiday approaches, the Greeks do general cleaning throughout the house, and a week
before Christmas, the housewives begin to prepare the sweets and cakes that can be tasted at the
end of Lent.
In the past, honey cakes (melomakarona) were reserved exclusively for Christmas, while sweet
dishes called kourabiedes were made and eaten only on New Year's Eve. Nowadays, both
melomacarone and kourabiedes are prepared and eaten between Christmas and New Year.

Pig/ Christmas food

Another resemblance to Romanian customs can be seen in the ancient tradition in Greek villages
according to which each family raises at least one pig (called in Greek, "hiros"), which is
slaughtered on Christmas Eve, being served as the main food. The next day. The traditional dishes
made from Christmas pork in Greek households are:
-  Apakia - pieces of smoked pork
- Pihti - The pork's head is cut and then boiled, then an extremely delicious dish is prepared, in
which the pieces of meat are drowned in a natural gelatin. It is, of course, about Romanian pifiti
or colds!
-  Abbreviation - Pork is cut into small pieces, fried and placed in fat, in large jars. Doesn't that
sound familiar?
-  Tsigarithes - Pieces of pork bacon are fried in spices and eaten in the first part of the day when
picking olives.

As with the Romanians, pork cut for Christmas is a source of meat for food in the coming
weeks. This type of food, especially in Crete, is said to provide the islanders with excellent health
and longevity. Once upon a time, the entrails of the Christmas pig were used to guess the future,
both in terms of family life and the future harvest or the weather.

The custom of eating Christmas turkey among European Christians (including Greeks) dates back
to Mexico, beginning in 1824. Although it does not cover all regions of the country, Christmas
turkey is quite widespread in Greece.

In his book, "Christmas Time, Ancient Christmas Traditions and Customs," folklorist Kostas
Karapatakis mentions that the Romans slaughtered pigs for the deities Dimitra and Kronos, so that
they would have luck in cultivating the land. These festivities took place between December 17
and 25, a period of slaughtering pigs characteristic not only of Greeks but also of Orthodox
Christian Romanians.

Christmas carols and songs in Greece

The carols and Christmas carols are kept, fortunately, until now on the Greek lands. Children
carol from house to house, giving voice to ancient wishes, accompanied by triangles, or even
guitars, accordions, pounds and music.