M.KathleenChristmas Greetings in Greece
The Greek word for Christmas is Christougena or Christougenna, literally meaning “Christ’s birth.” When Greeks say “Merry Christmas,” they say, “Kala Christougena.” The apparent g sound is pronounced like a y..
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What is Santa called in Greece?
The Greek Santa Claus is known as “Ayios Vassileios” in Greek. He is like the father of Christmas; also an old man with a white beard, who is wearing a red cape.
How long is Christmas in Greece?
Christmas celebrations in Greece officially last for 14 days, starting on Christmas Eve and ending on Epiphany (6 January) with the ‘Great Blessing of Water’. Following the Gregorian calendar, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December.
What is the main Christmas meal in Greece?
During the night of Christmas they bake pieces of pork in cinder, sprinkled with lots of salt. In Central Greece the day of the holiday season eating pork with celery, and chicken soup, as well as the stuffed turkey.
What are some Greek Christmas traditions?
The most popular traditions are the decoration of the Christmas boat, the Greek Christmas carols, the tradition of Saint Basil’s cake, the pomegranate, “kalikatzaroi”. And of course all the Greek Christmas treats, which every household prepares at Christmas time.
How do you reply to efharisto?
In case you were wondering, the natural reply to ‘efharisto’ is ‘parakalo’ [parakaloː] – the Greek word for ‘you’re welcome’.
What does Yassas mean?
You may also hear the word “ya” tossed around in casual settings which is an abbreviation of yassou/yassas. It is the Greek equivalent of saying hi or hey and shouldn’t be used in formal settings.
What does Opa mean Greek?
Opa (Greek: ώπα) is a common North African and East Mediterranean emotional expression. It is frequently used during celebrations such as weddings or traditional dancing. In Greek culture, the expression sometimes accompanies the act of plate smashing.
How do you respond to thank you in Greek?
What does Kala in Greek mean?
Greek Word: καλά Romanization: kalá English Meaning: well (adverb)
What do they eat in Greece at Christmas?
Here are the typical Greek Christmas foods you can find on every table around Greece.
- Avgolemono Soup (Egg-Lemon Chicken Soup) Avgolemono is a very common dish enjoyed throughout the year – not only on Christmas.
- Stuffed cabbage leaves.
- Melomakarona.
- Kourabiedes.
- Diples.
- Christopsomo (or Christ’s bread)
- Pork.
What does Kalispera mean?
Greetings. Start your day off right with the morning greeting kalimera, meaning good morning. The same word structure applies throughout the day, so just switch to kalispera (good afternoon) and kalinixta (good night) as time passes. For a more informal greeting, try yasas (hello) or yasou (hi).
How do you say welcome in Greek?
Parakalo/Efharistw/Parakalo
The word ‘parakalo’ is used in many ways in Greek – it is even used to answer a phone call or a knock at the door. Perhaps the most common way you can use it, however, is in order to say ‘please’ and ‘you are welcome’.
What is Yassas Greek?
Ya’ Ya is the shortened version of yassas, which means ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’. Ya is the equivalent of hi and bye: a chilled, friendly way of speaking to someone as you arrive or leave. If you’re in a hurry or feeling happy you might also use it twice in a row for extra emphasis: ‘ya ya.
What is the most important holiday in Greece? Easter. Easter is the most important celebration for the Greeks, even more than Christmas.
How do you answer the phone in Greek? Answering the phone in Greek is pretty simple.
If it’s a personal call, you can use either of the following:
- Greek: Παρακαλώ;
- Romanization: Parakaló?
- English: “(Go ahead) Please?”
- Greek: Ναι;
- Romanization: Ne?
- English: “Yes?”
How do you respond to TI Kanis? If someone asks YOU ‘ti kaneis’? you can respond by saying ‘kala ime’, which basically means “I’m doing well”. If you want to exchange names, you ask the other person ‘pos se lene’.
What is the main symbol Christmas in Greece?
What is this? The karavaki is the symbol of Christmas in Greece. After all Greece is country that has a rich tradition of seafaring and a deep appreciation for its seas. This is a Christmas tsoureki.
Are you okay in Greek?
Is Greek Christmas different?
When you think of Christmas you probably think of big family feasts and handing out gifts to each other. But in Greece, there are no presents on Christmas Day. Instead, the Greeks hand out their gifts on New Year’s to celebrate the feast day of the Agios Vasilis whose feast day is January 1st.
What do Greeks believe about 12 days of Christmas?
The Greek twelve days of Christmas begins at Christmas and continues until January 6th, which is known as the Feast of Epiphany. During these twelve days of Christmas, people keep their fires in their houses burning throughout this period. This is to keep evil spirits away from their homes through their chimneys.
What is a traditional Greek Christmas Eve dinner?
Pork and celery stew is probably the most traditional main dish that is served on Christmas Eve. It’s heartwarming and quite lemony as it has a particular lemon and egg sauce typically used in various Greek foods. Apart from many celery leaves, it also contains a lot of garlic and leeks cooked along with the pork.
How do I get rid of Kallikantzaroi?
Once a day someone in the home, usually the mother of the family, uses the sprig to sprinkle water throughout the house to ward off the creatures. The only reliable cure-all, however, is when village priests bless the waters on the eve of Epiphany, which marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Do Greeks eat lamb for Christmas?
Lamb is such a huge part of Greek cuisine that it’s not surprising to see a roasted leg of lamb on the table during the holidays. The lamb is usually flavored with herbs and served alongside roasted potatoes.
What item is traditionally hidden in the Greek dish? It is customary to hide a coin or a bean inside the cake before baking. This coin is supposed to bring good luck to the person who finds it.
How do you say yes in Greek?
The Greek word for YES is ναι (pronounced née).
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