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kosta_karapinotis

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There are so many Greek Orthodox traditions and each are beautiful in their own way! My personal favourites are attending church throughout the week with family and of course spending all of Saturday and Sunday cooking food together with family. Of course, the best part of Easter is the tender lamb that falls off the bone after spending hours on the spit. What is everyone else's favorite Greek Orthodox Easter tradition? :)
 
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There are so many Greek Orthodox traditions and each are beautiful in their own way! My personal favourites are attending church throughout the week with family and of course spending all of Saturday and Sunday cooking food together with family. Of course, the best part of Easter is the tender lamb that falls off the bone after spending hours on the spit. What is everyone else's favorite Greek Orthodox Easter tradition? :)
My absolute favorite is Holy Friday and the Epitaphios procession.
 
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Me too, I especially love it when you get to go outside and walk around the whole neighbourhood
I once was in a village with just a few houses here and there... it was so magical, the procession went through the farm fields and you could see the candles flickering from afar.
 
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I once was in a village with just a few houses here and there... it was so magical, the procession went through the farm fields and you could see the candles flickering from afar.
That sounds beautiful, where was this village?
 
I love going to church, spending time with family, and eating lamb! :) Easter is a great time...
 

Are most Greeks left or right?

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

Greek Traditions from Childhood?

I’d love to hear everyone’s memories of Greek traditions from childhood, especially the small everyday things that may not even seem unusual until you look back on them later.

For me, some of the strongest memories are tied to food, church, family gatherings, name days, holiday preparations, and the feeling of constantly having people around. Even certain sounds and smells immediately bring everything back.

I’m also curious how traditions differed depending on region or family background. Did your family keep strong village customs? Were there things your grandparents insisted on doing a certain way? Any traditions connected to Easter, Christmas, weddings, coffee, hospitality, music, or food?

For me, we ate a family-oriented Sunday meal where everyone go together after church. That was a big part of things for me.

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?

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.

Do younger generations still follow traditional Greek customs?

Lately I’ve been wondering how much traditional Greek culture is still being carried forward by younger generations, both in Greece and in the diaspora.

I’m not talking only about the big holidays or major family events, but the smaller everyday things too — name days, church traditions, hospitality, family meals, fasting periods, village festivals, coffee rituals, respect for elders, even certain sayings and customs. Do younger Greeks still actively participate in these traditions, or do they mostly happen because parents and grandparents keep them going?

I imagine the answer probably depends a lot on location, family, and lifestyle. Someone growing up in a village might have a different experience than someone in Athens or abroad. I’d love to hear from people of different ages, which traditions have stayed strong, which ones are fading, and are there any that younger generations are bringing back in new ways?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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