Pomegranates are associated with Greece during Christmas, and I never quite understood why. So I looked it up! Here is some information from my notes - feel free to chime in and add anything Im ay have missed:
In Greece, one of the most prominent traditions is the use of pomegranates. The pomegranate is not only a symbol of Greek culture but is also associated with the story of Persephone, who was allowed to return to her mother, Demeter, after eating six pomegranate seeds.
They are used to decorate homes, tables, and even churches. Greeks believe that the pomegranate symbolizes prosperity, good luck, and fertility. It is also believed to bring good health and protect against evil spirits.
During Christmas Eve, Greeks use pomegranates to decorate the traditional Christopsomo, which is a type of sweet bread that is baked in a round shape. The pomegranate is placed in the center of the bread, which is then sprinkled with sesame seeds and decorated with a cross to signify the birth of Jesus Christ.
Another tradition involving pomegranates is the game of breaking them open. Greeks enjoy playing the game where they throw a pomegranate to the ground, and whoever is the first to break open the fruit will have good luck for the entire year. Greeks believe that the more seeds they find inside, the more luck and prosperity they will have in the new year.
Pomegranates are also used in the Greek Orthodox Church during the blessing of the waters ceremony. This ceremony takes place on January 6th, which is the day of Epiphany, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The priest throws a cross into the waters, and young men dive into the water to retrieve it. After the cross is retrieved, the priest blesses the water with holy oil and a pomegranate. The pomegranate is then thrown into the water to bring prosperity and good luck to the community.
www.goarch.org
