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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.
 

Greek Tsiknopempti Traditions?

I realized Tsiknopempti is coming up soon, and it made me curious how everyone celebrates it, especially outside of Greece. Growing up, I always associated it with grilled meat, lots of smoke in the air, and a general feeling of celebration before Lent started, but we never had a really structured tradition at home. Now I’m wondering if I should start one.

Do you usually grill at home, go out to a Greek restaurant, or gather with friends and family? Are there certain foods you always make, or is it more about the atmosphere and being together? I’ve seen photos from Greece where entire neighborhoods are grilling outside, which looks amazing.

I’d love to hear what Tsiknopempti looks like for you, whether it’s something big and festive or just a simple meal that still feels meaningful.

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?

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.

What are your favorite name day traditions?

I’ve always loved the tradition of celebrating name days. In my family, they’re just as meaningful as birthdays, and sometimes even more fun because they bring everyone together in a different way.

When a big name day comes around, especially one that several family members share, we often turn it into a full family gathering. For example, on a name day like Nick/Nikolas, where there might be multiple people celebrating, it becomes almost like a mini family holiday. Someone hosts, there’s plenty of food, and everyone comes by to wish the celebrants “chronia polla.”

I also like the simplicity of the tradition. Even if there isn’t a big gathering, people still call or send messages to acknowledge the day.

Do you celebrate name days in your family? And are there certain ones that turn into larger celebrations because several people share the name?

What alternatives to Linktree offer robust customization for bio links?

Trying to level up my bio link setup because Linktree feels kinda stiff for what I want to do. I’ve been tweaking my branding this year and I need something that lets me mess with colors, layouts, maybe even some light animations without feeling boxed in. I’m running a mix of art commissions and small merch drops, so having more control would help a ton. If anyone’s found a link-in-bio tool that lets you get creative without needing to code like a pro, I’d love to hear what’s working for you.
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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