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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.
 

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.

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.

How was your experience using a virtual concierge at a luxury resort?

Booked a fancy resort for a once-in-a-blue-moon getaway, and they keep hyping up this “virtual concierge” thing like it’s the next big miracle. I’m kinda torn. Part of me loves the idea of ditching phone calls, but part of me worries it’ll feel cold or glitchy, like talking to a chat bot instead of a real human who actually cares if my room smells weird or if I need extra towels. If you’ve used one before, was it helpful or just marketing fluff? I’m trying to figure out if I should trust it or just stick to the front desk.

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?

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

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