What is the Greek holiday Epiphany?
On the sixth of January, the Christmas holidays in Greece officially come to an end with the ‘festival of light’ (‘ton foton’ in Greek), also known as Epiphany. This feast day in the Greek Orthodox Church is known as ‘Theophania’ which means ‘a vision of God’ or ‘Christ shining through’.
What is Boxing Day in the Bible?
Starting in the Middle Ages, it was the day when the alms box, collection boxes for the poor often kept in churches, were traditionally opened so that the contents could be distributed to poor people. Some churches still open these boxes on Boxing Day.
What is the oldest Christmas tradition?
For the Christian celebration of Christmas, the viewing of the Nativity play is one of the oldest Christmastime traditions, with the first reenactment of the Nativity of Jesus taking place in A.D. 1223.
Do Greek Orthodox celebrate 3 Kings day?
This feast day in the Greek Orthodox Church is known as ‘Theophania’ which means ‘a vision of God’ or ‘Christ shining through’. It is considered a very important day for the Greek Orthodox Church. In the Western Church, it is also known as “Three Kings Day”, a celebration of the 3 magi visiting baby Jesus.
What do Greeks eat Epiphany?
An old custom in Crete was the preparation of the fotokoliva (boiled wheat with peas) on the eve of Epiphany. The fotokoliva was eaten by the people, but they also fed it to their livestock, which was believed to insure good health and fortune in the homes.
Why do we hang socks on Christmas?
A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that is hung on Saint Nicholas Day or Christmas Eve so that Saint Nicholas (or the related figures of Santa Claus and Father Christmas) can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins or other small gifts when he arrives.
Why do Greeks dive for crosses?
Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral dived into the water for the chance to find it, the highlight of the annual Epiphany event celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ. Tradition says the one who emerges grasping the cross is rewarded with a year of blessings.
What do Greeks have for Xmas?
Stuffed cabbage leaves are a traditional Christmas dish, commonly referred to as yiaprakia in northern Greece while the rest of the country usually called them lahanodolmades. Stuffed with a filling of minced meat and rice, it is usually topped with a thick lemon-flavored sauce.
What is the origin of Boxing Day?
The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants – a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.
What is Boxing Day and when is it?
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide (26 December). [1] Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor, today Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday.
What is the origin of boxing in Greece?
There is archeological and artistic evidence of ancient Greek boxing (πύξ – pyx or πυγμή – pygme in Αncient Greek) as early as the Minoan and Mycenaean periods. There are numerous legends about the origins of boxing in Greece.
What are the public holidays in Greece?
Public holidays in Greece From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia According to Greek law every Sunday of the year is a public holiday. In addition, there are six obligatory, official public holidays: New Year’s Day, 25 March, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, 15 August and 25 December.
Why is Liberation Day a holiday in Greece?
Celebration of the Greek refusal to the Italian ultimatum of 1940 . The religious meaning of the holiday is a coming together to glorify the Theotokos, but in general and in effect the day is considered a holiday because it’s the day after Christmas just like Boxing Day in some Commonwealth countries.