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greek_ggirl

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I am wondering who on this forum is fasting for lent this year! Sometimes I struggle to fast because my friends are always going out to restaurants where there aren't many veggie options and its so difficult but I try my best to eat Lenten food as much as possible. Please let me know in the comments below! I look forward to hearing your experiences and perhaps some of your favorite Lenten recipes.
 
I will be fasting on and off! I have some health issues so I am unable to fast every single day
 
Of course we are. Kathera Deftera (Clean Monday) is Monday 7th March. Nistea (fasting) nowadays is not that difficult. It is vegan diet with fish allowed. Think of Nistea as a clean out of toxins in your body. If you really cannot manage the 40 days - Wednesdays, Fridays and Megali evthomada (Holy Week). Fish is eaten on 25th March - Evangellismo and 23rd April - Vayou (Palm Sunday).
Do as much as you can. You will feel better for it.
 
Of course if you have health issues, you are forgiven from Nistea.
 
I am wondering who on this forum is fasting for lent this year! Sometimes I struggle to fast because my friends are always going out to restaurants where there aren't many veggie options and its so difficult but I try my best to eat Lenten food as much as possible. Please let me know in the comments below! I look forward to hearing your experiences and perhaps some of your favorite Lenten recipes.
Used to love this period of the year very much.... terrific vegetarian food..
 
It is a really great period to cleanse your body
 
We will attempt to. We usually mess up...
 
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I fast on and off. Towards the beginning, I try to just get more consistent with fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. I gradually increase my days as lent progresses. I typically fast during all of Holy Week.
 

Thinking about the Greek way of hospitality...

I thought I would ask your thoughts oh Philoxenia - or the Greek way, or art, of hospitality. I noticed this when I travel in Greece. People are so kind, they often go out of the way for us, when I feel that they don't have to! How can one describe this to someone?

From what I understand, Philoxenia is not merely a practice but a deeply ingrained value within Greek culture that extends far beyond the simple act of hosting. It reflects a genuine, heartfelt welcome to strangers, treating them with the same respect and generosity one would show to a dearly beloved friend. This beautiful tradition, passed down through generations, turns the act of hosting into an art form, embodying warmth, respect, and a profound sense of human compassion. There have been so many stories I can think of...

This thought process was triggered because we were watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 - someone in the village had taken on a Syrian refugee. Is this a Greek hospitality thing? Philoxenia?

Greek family customs - Personal related

Hi there. Not sure if this is the right forum, but I've got some personal issues with my family. My brother in law (73) is Greek. His wife (my sister) is not. They have a daughter (34) (my niece) that "sides" more with the Greek culture.

My niece has never left home, and has never paid rent or paid for food. She's been mostly jobless although she has worked a few jobs here and there. My sister is fed up with it, but when she confronts my BIL, he says "Greeks don't do that". And what he is implying (I guess) is that Greeks take care of their family in this way.

My BIL had a stroke many years ago and his health is declining rapidly. I am advocating for an attendant to come into the house every day and get him dressed, showered, make him meals, etc. My sister is 73 and she can't physically handle this. She also doesn't want to devote every waking moment to keeping an eye on him. When she suggests an attendant, again, "Greeks don't do that".

Now I'm pretty sure this is all BS, but would love to get some input from any Greek people in this forum.

List of Cretan Dances?

I will be attending a Cretan wedding and am curious about the traditional Cretan dances! I know the dances are slightly different and I want to learn some. I don't know the names of the dances so that I can look them up. I did some research, though. Are any of these dances common at these weddings?
  • Pentozali
  • Sousta
  • Siganos
  • Chaniotis
There's a dance the wedding party typically does in Crete. Which dance is that?

Where did plate smashing come from?

When Greeks feel happy and are dancing and have a good time, they've been known to smash plates. I've seen it! It's not just a tourist thing - but they don't do it much because I am sure they won't want to smash their expensive dish wear.

I was just at a wedding and they had purchased plates to smash - so basically they were cheap throwaway plates that actually smashed really well. I almost wonder if they were made for the purpose...

It got me thinking - where did this tradition come from? Does anyone know?

When does Orthodox lent start this year?

I noticed our Easter is late - May 5th - but Western Easter is at the end of March. Has Lent already started for them? When does our Lent start?

This year, I plan to do a stricter Lenten fast, so I want to plan some things out in advance.

Lent is a time for introspection, repentance, and spiritual growth. Through the dedicated practice of fasting, prayer, and charity, believers seek not only to grow closer to God but also to better understand themselves in relation to God’s will.
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