In Greece Christmas (Christougenna) matters less than Easter, but the twelve days between 25 December and 6 January, the Dodekaimero, are full of ancient traditions. The Church of Greece follows the revised calendar for fixed feasts, so Christmas falls on the same day as in the West.
Kalanta
On the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and Epiphany Eve children go from door to door singing kalanta, festive carols, to the sound of triangles and small drums. In return they receive coins and sweets. The name comes from the Latin calendae, the first day of the month.
The boat and the tree
Beside the Christmas tree, brought to Greece with King Otto in the 19th century, many homes and squares decorate a boat (karavaki) with coloured lights, a tradition of islands and seaside towns honouring seafarers and the sailors' return. In Thessaloniki and Athens, on Aristotelous and Syntagma squares, big trees are lit and markets open.
At the table
| Speciality | What it is |
|---|---|
| Christopsomo | "Christ's bread", a sweet bread decorated with a cross, baked on Christmas Eve |
| Melomakarona | Soft olive-oil biscuits with orange and cinnamon, soaked in honey and topped with walnuts |
| Kourabiedes | Almond shortbread biscuits dusted with icing sugar |
| Diples | Fried rolled pastry with honey and walnuts |
| Christmas lunch | Stuffed turkey or roast pork, now more common than lamb |
See also Greek sweets.
St Basil and the vasilopita
In Greece presents are not brought by Father Christmas on 25 December but by St Basil (Agios Vasilis), bishop of Caesarea, on New Year's Eve, his feast day. At midnight or at lunch on 1 January the family cuts the vasilopita, a cake with a coin hidden inside: the first slice is for Christ, then for the house, then for each family member in order of age. Whoever finds the coin will be lucky all year. Offices, schools and clubs cut their own vasilopita in January too. At New Year people also smash a pomegranate on the doorstep for abundance.
The kallikantzaroi
In folk tradition, during the twelve days the kallikantzaroi, mischievous goblins, climb up from underground, come in down the chimney, put out fires and play tricks. A fire was kept burning in the hearth to keep them away. On 6 January, with the blessing of the waters, they go back underground.
Epiphany
On 6 January Greeks celebrate Theofania, the baptism of Christ. In every town by the sea, a lake or a river the priest blesses the waters and throws a cross into the water: brave young people dive into the icy water to retrieve it, and the one who succeeds receives a special blessing. The biggest ceremonies are in Piraeus, Thessaloniki and on the islands. The next day is the feast of St John the Baptist, name day of every Giannis.
See also festivals and traditions and the Orthodox Church.