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dubai_suzie

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Anyone have insight on this?
 
Anyone have insight on this?
It's called "chrismation" relatively to the Orthodox Church, a ritual adopted by the Catholic Church and is called "cresima" in Italian. In both cases, the key concept is Chrisma or Anointing with blessed oil whereby the anointed person receives the Holy Ghost and his gifts (wisdom etc.) An online article says that in the early Church, there was an immediate succession of baptism, chismation, and eucharistic partaking. However, I have not found any cogent explanation why there should be a chrismation at all after baptism which supposedly restores a person to the original state of grace. //Originally it was adults that were baptised, etc. When they started baptising babies and fathers were not present, some person was chosen to take the place of a father (called "compare" in Italian). The baby is asked various questions and either the father or the compare answers for him: he acts by proxy. Quod quaeris? (What are you seeking? -- Salutem aeternam (eternal salvation). What do you believe? -- I believe in God almighty... //Then the baptism (either by immersion or by pouring water) is performed.// When a youngster comes of age, around puberty, he is asked to personally confirm his faith, wherefore, in English, chrismation is called Confirmation; he becomes a Christian by his own choice rather than by proxy. This is my opinion. Once I heard or read a stupid alternative: The anointing makes one a soldier of Christ... hence, in medieval history, a Templar (technically called Miles Christi -- a soldier of Christ, instituted by Bernard of Clairveaux, who sent a small troup to the conquered Jerusalem in order to find the lost Ark of the Covenant, but this is a different story).
 
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It's called "chrismation" relatively to the Orthodox Church, a ritual adopted by the Catholic Church and is called "cresima" in Italian. In both cases, the key concept is Chrisma or Anointing with blessed oil whereby the anointed person receives the Holy Ghost and his gifts (wisdom etc.) An online article says that in the early Church, there was an immediate succession of baptism, chismation, and eucharistic partaking. However, I have not found any cogent explanation why there should be a chrismation at all after baptism which supposedly restores a person to the original state of grace. //Originally it was adults that were baptised, etc. When they started baptising babies and fathers were not present, some person was chosen to take the place of a father (called "compare" in Italian). The baby is asked various questions and either the father or the compare answers for him: he acts by proxy. Quod quaeris? (What are you seeking? -- Salutem aeternam (eternal salvation). What do you believe? -- I believe in God almighty... //Then the baptism (either by immersion or by pouring water) is performed.// When a youngster comes of age, around puberty, he is asked to personally confirm his faith, wherefore, in English, chrismation is called Confirmation; he becomes a Christian by his own choice rather than by proxy. This is my opinion. Once I heard or read a stupid alternative: The anointing makes one a soldier of Christ... hence, in medieval history, a Templar (technically called Miles Christi -- a soldier of Christ, instituted by Bernard of Clairveaux, who sent a small troup to the conquered Jerusalem in order to find the lost Ark of the Covenant, but this is a different story).
Where did you get this from? I would love to read more :)
 
I am sorry I am unable to cite written sources. My mention of Italian words and matters are due to the fact that I was born and raised in Italy. (In my high school in Rome, we studied Latin, classical Greek, Greek literature in translation, a modern foreign language, in my case French and then English.) Especially later, I made researches into many fields of occasional interest and, for instance, I read the words that are used during baptism in the Latin rite. I learned about ancient Roman customs and practices, such as a father's proxy [on behalf] function: if a child destroys somebody's property, his father has to pay for the damages, etc. Especially for "chrismation" as one of the received sacraments, I learned from the just consulted Wikipedia. I mentioned the Templars incidentally but unnecessarily. Many years ago, I researched extensively the Templars and, to begin with, tried of find the real causes of the Crusades and the occupation of Jerusalem in 1099; I used 4 videotapes by British researchers (Hamilton; Lincoln) about the Ark, Rennes-le-chateau, the Sauniere priest, etc. [I prepared an article -- a sort of linguistic detective story -- and posted it in a now defunct Yahoo Community.] / One thing I had thought of adding above: The English equivalent of It. "compare" [or "cumpa`" in some dialects] is "godfather" but, through some movies, this word now means "leader/chief of a mafia family". The name "mafia or maffia" was derived in Sicily from "mapsios" (insensitive), which became corrupted into "maffios[o]" -- to designate a certain blackmailing or criminal person. (That's my own etymology.)
 
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I am sorry I am unable to cite written sources. My mention of Italian words and matters are due to the fact that I was born and raised in Italy. (In my high school in Rome, we studied Latin, classical Greek, Greek literature in translation, a modern foreign language, in my case French and then English.) Especially later, I made researches into many fields of occasional interest and, for instance, I read the words that are used during baptism in the Latin rite. I learned about ancient Roman customs and practices, such as a father's proxy [on behalf] function: if a child destroys somebody's property, his father has to pay for the damages, etc. Especially for "chrismation" as one of the received sacraments, I learned from the just consulted Wikipedia. I mentioned the Templars incidentally but unnecessarily. Many years ago, I researched extensively the Templars and, to begin with, tried of find the real causes of the Crusades and the occupation of Jerusalem in 1099; I used 4 videotapes by British researchers (Hamilton; Lincoln) about the Ark, Rennes-le-chateau, the Sauniere priest, etc. [I prepared an article -- a sort of linguistic detective story -- and posted it in a now defunct Yahoo Community.] / One thing I had thought of adding above: The English equivalent of It. "compare" [or "cumpa`" in some dialects] is "godfather" but, through some movies, this word now means "leader/chief of a mafia family". The name "mafia or maffia" was derived in Sicily from "mapsios" (insensitive), which became corrupted into "maffios[o]" -- to designate a certain blackmailing or criminal person. (That's my own etymology.)
This is so interesting thank you, I think I may take your information and do a bit more research on Wikipedia. I wish I had learned so much in school just like you, the European education system is far superior, especially in terms of language and culture.
 

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!

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.

Greek Easter Family Traditions

I am curious what your family traditions are for Greek Easter. I know lent hasn't even started yet, but I've started doing some planning to make sure my family has all of its traditions all set. Sometimes it takes me a while to find ingredients for some of the foods I serve, etc.

Of course we spend Holy Week in church. We do our best to fast during Lent, and once Easter comes, it's all about serving our traditional dishes. This year I might spend part of lent in Greece to visit some religious sites.

What do you guys all do?

List of Cretan Dances?

I will be attending a Cretan wedding and am curious about the traditional Cretan dances! I know the dances are slightly different and I want to learn some. I don't know the names of the dances so that I can look them up. I did some research, though. Are any of these dances common at these weddings?
  • Pentozali
  • Sousta
  • Siganos
  • Chaniotis
There's a dance the wedding party typically does in Crete. Which dance is that?

What is kefi exactly?

I have always found the concept of kefi to be intriguing, and I would like to learn more about it from those familiar or even vaguely aware of this notion. From what little I understand, kefi seems to embody a unique blend of joy, spirit, and passion, deeply ingrained in Greek culture. It's more than just a word; it's a lifestyle, a form of expression, an unbridled enthusiasm for life.

However, I'm curious to know about the deeper nuances and applications of kefi. How does kefi manifest in day-to-day life, not just in Greece, but wherever one might find joy and enthusiasm? Is it something that can be consciously cultivated, or does it spontaneously bloom in moments of happiness and high spirits? It seems like it really permeates the culture, especially in Greece.
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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