1 - 8 of 8 Posts

knicks_fan87

Active member
This question is out of pure curiotisty! What do my fellow Greek-Americans and Greek-Canadians do for thanksgiving? Do you eat turkey? Do you even celebrate?
 
I was born and raised, for the most part, in America. Why wouldn't I celebrate it? Of course I eat turkey. There is nothing in the Orthodoxy that prevents me from eating it. I celebrate it like other Americans.
 
  • Like
Reactions: efhernandez_
This question is out of pure curiotisty! What do my fellow Greek-Americans and Greek-Canadians do for thanksgiving? Do you eat turkey? Do you even celebrate?
I am a Greek- American. My family does a lot of the American-traditional stuff (like serving a turkey, pumpkin pie, that kind of thing), but we also add some favorite Greek dishes. My family "stuffing" involves rice, allspice, and chestnuts and I have heard many Greek Americans say they serve the same thing. I don't even know what it is or what the origin is. Last year, we served spanakopita for an appetizer, and Ek Mek Kataifi for dessert alongside pumpkin and apple pie. For the record, the Ek Mek actually stole the show!
 
  • Like
Reactions: efhernandez_
Great question!

Not sure on the Greek Canadian side of things, but here is some information about how Greek Americans celebrate Thanksgiving:

 
  • Like
Reactions: efhernandez_
I am a Greek- American. My family does a lot of the American-traditional stuff (like serving a turkey, pumpkin pie, that kind of thing), but we also add some favorite Greek dishes. My family "stuffing" involves rice, allspice, and chestnuts and I have heard many Greek Americans say they serve the same thing. I don't even know what it is or what the origin is. Last year, we served spanakopita for an appetizer, and Ek Mek Kataifi for dessert alongside pumpkin and apple pie. For the record, the Ek Mek actually stole the show!
I loooove ek mek kataifi!! Is there any recipe that you used that you could divulge for us?
 
We Australian Greeks do not have Thanksgiving. BUT in 2006 we were in New York. My sister and I went to the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Didn't realise how freezing cold it was, left my gloves behind. A vey kind lady next to me gave me her leg warmer as my hands had turned purple. We had dinner at our cousin's in Astoria. They had everything (turkey, stuffing, lamb, chicken) as they didn't know what we would eat. We had to say what we were thankful for. Our Mum and Aunt very tearfully said that we were there to join them. And we were very, very grateful and thankful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: francescool
We Australian Greeks do not have Thanksgiving. BUT in 2006 we were in New York. My sister and I went to the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Didn't realise how freezing cold it was, left my gloves behind. A vey kind lady next to me gave me her leg warmer as my hands had turned purple. We had dinner at our cousin's in Astoria. They had everything (turkey, stuffing, lamb, chicken) as they didn't know what we would eat. We had to say what we were thankful for. Our Mum and Aunt very tearfully said that we were there to join them. And we were very, very grateful and thankful.
Sounds beautiful. Kudos to your family for making so much food, that is truly the Greek way, making sure that everyone is taken care of
 

Greek Name Days Celebrations

I have been encouraging my family and friends to let me know when their name days are. I know for my immediate family, of course, but I want to start honoring name days in addition to birthdays like they do in Greece.

But aside from wishing someone Chronia Polla, or happy name day, what else can we do? How do people in Greece celebrate? Is it much like a birthday?

Navigating Greek Lenten Fasting - Advice?

Lent is here and all my friends and family have been asking "what are you doing for lent this year?" They're all "giving something up" but I decided I wanted to fast. I would love your help and advice because this is the first time I am doing things in a stricter way. I resolve to see it through!

It's supposed to be a a time of reflection, purification, and preparation for the celebration of Easter, and the diet plays a significant part in this spiritual journey. I don't want to get so obsessed with the "rules" that I lose myself in them and forget why I am fasting int he first place.

Thanks in advance!

Learning about hospitality in Greece

I was trying to explain to some non-Greek friends about hospitality in Greece. I feel like it's next level, but how do you explain it?

Could anyone help me explain any of the following:
  • Traditional welcome gestures in Greece
  • Common household customs when visiting a Greek home
  • Etiquette for showing appreciation to Greek hosts
  • Any specific do's and don'ts that a foreigner should be aware of

Ideas for Celebrating the New Month - Kalo Mina

Growing up, I heard my family say this all the time when there was a new month. I finally started paying attention to the tradition and ritual of saying it.

Kalo Mina actually means "Good Month" but my family took it a step further. We developed the habit of doing something special as a family to celebrate.It depends which day it falls. Some things we've done:

- Brunch - We do this if it falls on a weekend.
- Dinner - Going out to dinner is great any time of the year!
- Journaling - We've done family journaling parties, sitting together reflecting on the month. Sometimes we read aloud what we write (depends how the month went LOL)
- Goals - No matter if we do anything, like go out to dinner or brunch, we always sit and review our goals for the month together.

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?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top