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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.
 

Best Christening Gifts for a Close Friend's Child?

What are some good christening gifts for the child of a close friend?

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to a Greek christening, and the last one I attended was for a relative, so I’m realizing I’m not completely sure what is considered appropriate these days.

Since this is the child of a close friend, I’d like to give something a little more meaningful than just a standard gift, but I also don’t want to overdo it. Are religious gifts like an icon, cross, or children’s Bible still common? Would money, jewelry, or something personalized be appropriate?

I’d also be interested to know whether there are certain gifts that are traditionally given by family members or the godparents that I should avoid duplicating.

What have you given for christenings recently, especially when the child belonged to a close friend? I’d love some ideas that feel thoughtful and appropriate.

Why do Greeks celebrate name days?

I grew up with name days being a big deal, and I’ve always wondered why they feel more important than birthdays for so many of us. I know they’re tied to the Greek Orthodox Church feast days and the saints we’re named after, but it feels like there’s something deeper going on culturally.

In my family, name days were always open-house style, people calling, stopping by, bringing sweets, and it felt very communal. Birthdays, on the other hand, were more low-key.

Do you feel like name days still carry that same weight today? Or has it changed depending on the generation or where you live?

Information About Apokries?

I’ve been curious about how people experience Apokries and what it looks like in different parts of Greece. For some, it seems centered on big public celebrations and costumes, while for others it’s more about smaller gatherings, food, and local customs.

I’m especially interested in the traditions people grew up with. Was Apokries something your family actively celebrated, or did it feel more like a community event? Did you attend costume parties, parades, or specific local festivities? And how did days like Tsiknopempti fit into it for you?

I’d also love to hear whether your experience changed over time, for example, celebrating differently as a child versus as an adult, or noticing differences between village and city celebrations.

For those who no longer live in Greece, do you still mark Apokries in some way, or has it faded with distance?

I’m looking forward to hearing how this tradition shows up for others.

Are most Greeks left or right?

Are most Greeks liberal leftist progressives? Most that I encounter are. Not only that but self hating. WHY?

What Does Philotimo Mean to You?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the word, or really, the concept, of philotimo. It’s one of those Greek words that just doesn’t translate neatly into English. I was recently trying to explain it to a non-Greek friend, and I realized how difficult it is to put into words!

I ended up talking about ideas like honor, dignity, courage, generosity, and doing the right thing because it’s simply the right thing to do. I even used some historical examples, including the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae and the spirit of Ochi Day, to try to explain the sense of duty and selflessness that I associate with philotimo.

But I know the concept can also show up in much smaller, everyday ways. How would you explain philotimo to someone unfamiliar with Greek culture? What does the word mean to you personally?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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