tradition
Ancient Greece
The Naming Customs of Greece, From Ancient Times to Today
Although you may know a fair bit about Greek naming customs today, there are name traditions which go all the way back to Ancient Greece.
Greek church
“Flying Priest” Marks Holy Saturday’s Liturgy in Greece
The tradition of the “Flying Priest” from the Greek island of Chios has now spread in many parts of Greece and Cyprus
Greece
Epiphany: One of Christianity’s Most Important Feasts
Traditionally, the great feast of the Epiphany marks the end of the extended period of Christmas holidays in Greece.
Each year on January 6, hundreds of thousands of Greeks and visitors participate in the rich traditions that are observed in...
Greece
“Una Faccia, Una Razza”: The Bonds That Bind Greeks and Italians
Greeks and Italians have so much in common, that one would need years to itemize each aspect of the bonds they share.
Greece
Vasilopita Recipe: Greek New Year’s Cake
The story of the Greek Orthodox custom of the vasilopita with the lucky coin inside, begins in Asia Minor, and more specifically in the city of Caesarea in Cappadocia, more than 1,600 years ago. Here's a recipe for Vasilopita...
Culture
This Christmas Tell Your Children the Real Santa Claus Story
guest -
Behind today’s mythical Santa Claus from the North Pole, is a real saint – St. Nicholas. How he came to be today’s gift-giving jolly figure from the North Pole is a fascinating story all by itself.
By Lisa Bitel
Santa Claus...
Greece
Saint Demetrios: The History of Thessaloniki’s Beloved Patron Saint
Saint Demetrios (or Dimitrios) of Thessaloniki is one of the most popular Christian saints not only in Greece but across the Orthodox Christian world, with millions of people bearing his name, in all of its many beautiful variations.
Saint Demetrios...
Culture
106-Year-Old Greek Yiayia Prays For the Whole World Every Day
At 106 years of age, a Greek yiayia, or grandmother, named Anthi Katsouli stands in her yard every single day and prays for the entire world.
Born in the village of Katarraktis in the region of Arta in Epirus in...
Culture
The Historical Origins of Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas
The world knows Santa Claus as the symbol of Christmas, who brings kids toys, but he is actually a modernized version of Saint Nicholas, the devoted Greek bishop who lived in the fourth century in the Lycian town of...
Festivals
Chios Island Marked Easter With Spectacular Rocket War
The rocket war, one of the most beautiful, spectacular and yet dangerous Easter spectacles of Greece, revived on Saturday night on Chios.