While in Greece, Christmas tradition's ran large and freely, from the celebration's of St. Nicholas to the gentle hum of children caroling, at Belglade things were mostly quiet...at least for now. Much attention had been taken to the main house as well the gardens and outer lying building's. Each decorated in colorful splendor.
The children were over the sun and the moon excited for what was to come. Each family had their own tradition and with that, they would all be recognized and joy would be had.
However, that did not stop Shai from sharing and teaching the children, what the differences in Yule from culture to culture entailed. The afternoon Shai had gathered the children in the garden, they all sat amongst the Christmas Roses that were beginning to bloom and Sophie sat perched within the Greek's lap where she was playing with pudgy fingers and hanging onto every word spoken.
"St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. According to Greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea." Thomas smiled, already holding a larger than life fascination with the sea. "On Christmas Eve, village children travel from house to house offering good wishes and singing kalanda, the equivalent of carols. Often the songs are accompanied by small metal triangles and little clay drums."
A spiral of butterscotch offered to each, Shai continued. "The children are frequently rewarded with sweets and dried fruits. After 40 days of fasting, the Christmas feast is looked forward to with great anticipation by adults and children alike. Pigs are slaughtered and on almost every table are loaves of christopsomo, which is Christ Bread. This bread is made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects the family's profession."
"Christmas trees are not commonly used in Greece. In almost every home the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross, much like in our house. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the Killantzaroi away from the house."
Shai gave a light tickle to Sophie's belly and kissed the top of her head. "There are a number of beliefs connected with the Killantzaroi, which are a species of goblins or sprites who appear only during the 12-day period from Christmas to the Epiphany, which is January 6. These creatures are believed to emerge from the center of the earth and to slip into people's house through the chimney. More mischievous than actually evil, the Killantzaroi do things like extinguish fires, ride astride people's backs, braid horses' tails, and sour the milk. To further repel the undesirable sprites, the hearth is kept burning day and night throughout the twelve days. Gifts are then exchanged on St. Basil's Day, which is January 1. On this day the "renewal of waters" also takes place, a ritual in which all water jugs in the house are emptied and refilled with new "St. Basil's Water." This ceremony is often accompanied by offerings to the naiads, spirits of springs and fountains."
Thomas and Rory, exclaimed in unison. "Goblins?! We like our Christmas, no goblins!"
Shai grinned and whispered with a lean. "Kala Christougena, my little love's..."
The children were over the sun and the moon excited for what was to come. Each family had their own tradition and with that, they would all be recognized and joy would be had.
However, that did not stop Shai from sharing and teaching the children, what the differences in Yule from culture to culture entailed. The afternoon Shai had gathered the children in the garden, they all sat amongst the Christmas Roses that were beginning to bloom and Sophie sat perched within the Greek's lap where she was playing with pudgy fingers and hanging onto every word spoken.
"St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. According to Greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea." Thomas smiled, already holding a larger than life fascination with the sea. "On Christmas Eve, village children travel from house to house offering good wishes and singing kalanda, the equivalent of carols. Often the songs are accompanied by small metal triangles and little clay drums."
A spiral of butterscotch offered to each, Shai continued. "The children are frequently rewarded with sweets and dried fruits. After 40 days of fasting, the Christmas feast is looked forward to with great anticipation by adults and children alike. Pigs are slaughtered and on almost every table are loaves of christopsomo, which is Christ Bread. This bread is made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects the family's profession."
"Christmas trees are not commonly used in Greece. In almost every home the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross, much like in our house. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the Killantzaroi away from the house."
Shai gave a light tickle to Sophie's belly and kissed the top of her head. "There are a number of beliefs connected with the Killantzaroi, which are a species of goblins or sprites who appear only during the 12-day period from Christmas to the Epiphany, which is January 6. These creatures are believed to emerge from the center of the earth and to slip into people's house through the chimney. More mischievous than actually evil, the Killantzaroi do things like extinguish fires, ride astride people's backs, braid horses' tails, and sour the milk. To further repel the undesirable sprites, the hearth is kept burning day and night throughout the twelve days. Gifts are then exchanged on St. Basil's Day, which is January 1. On this day the "renewal of waters" also takes place, a ritual in which all water jugs in the house are emptied and refilled with new "St. Basil's Water." This ceremony is often accompanied by offerings to the naiads, spirits of springs and fountains."
Thomas and Rory, exclaimed in unison. "Goblins?! We like our Christmas, no goblins!"
Shai grinned and whispered with a lean. "Kala Christougena, my little love's..."