How did Christmas start in Greece?
In December, the Ancient Greeks celebrated the birth of Dionysus, calling him “Savior” and divine “infant.” According to Greek mythology, his mother was a mortal woman, Semele, and his father was Zeus, the king of the Gods. The priest of Dionysus held a pastoral staff as did the Good Shepherd.
What is the Greek version of Christmas?
In Greek Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Kala Christougenna’. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. In Greece, presents are often brought to children by Aghios Vassilis / Άγιος Βασίλης (Saint Basil/Saint Vasilis) on the 1st January as that is St Basil’s Day.
What did the ancient Athens eat?
The Greek diet was very healthy. Food in Ancient Greece consisted of grains, wheat, barley, fruit, vegetables, breads, and cake. The Ancient Greeks grew olives, grapes, figs and wheat and kept goats, for milk and cheese. They ate lots of bread, beans and olives.
Do the Greek celebrate Christmas?
Greek Christmas (Christougena) is celebrated on the 25th of December and is the time when families come together to celebrate. Throughout Christmas holidays there are several Greek Christmas traditions that passed from generation to generation and are still celebrated.
Did the ancient Romans celebrate Christmas?
Saturnalia, held in mid-December, is an ancient Roman pagan festival honoring the agricultural god Saturn. Saturnalia celebrations are the source of many of the traditions we now associate with Christmas.
What do Greeks believe happens during the 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 did ancient Greece wear?
Clothing in ancient Greece primarily consisted of the chiton, peplos, himation, and chlamys. Ancient Greek civilians typically wore two pieces of clothing draped about the body: an undergarment (χιτών : chitōn or πέπλος : péplos) and a cloak (ἱμάτιον : himátion or χλαμύς : chlamýs).
What did Spartans drink?
Wine was a staple of the Spartan diet, but they rarely drank to excess and often cautioned their children against drunkenness. In some cases, they would even force Helot slaves to get wildly inebriated as a way of showing young Spartans the negative effects of alcohol.
What is Santa called in Greece?
Saint Basil
As such, the Greek for Santa Claus is “Aghios Vasilis”, meaning Saint Basil.
Why do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas in January?
Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, described in the Christian Bible. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.
What kind of candy is pasteli in Greece?
Pasteli is actually a Greek sesame candy which is the ancient version of a power bar. A snack made with only two ingredients, honey and sesame seeds, with no addition of sugar.
What kind of honey is used in pasteli?
The main ingredient that is characteristic for Greek honey bars is honey. Honey gives Pasteli its unique texture and taste. It will be great if you could find some good quality Greek thyme honey! And also add a pinch of salt to lift the flavour.
When was the first pastele made in Puerto Rico?
Although the first recipes for pasteles didn’t appear in cookbooks until the 1930s, food historian Cruz Miguel Ortíz Cuadra notes that pasteles were mentioned as early as 1843 in the book El aguinaldo puertorriqueño, which explored Puerto Rican Christmas traditions.
What’s the difference between pasteli and power bars?
Pasteli is actually a Greek sesame candy which is the ancient version of a power bar. A snack made with only two ingredients, honey and sesame seeds, with no addition of sugar. The whole preparation of the recipe will last only 10 minutes (plus some extra time to cool the bars).