St John

January 7

Fiesta of St John the baptist and name day of those named
Yiannis or Yianna

These are very popular names and a greek saying goes
'a house without a Yianni will have no prosperity/happiness'  
Fortunately our family does have one Yianni.

St John has several feast days through the year.
June 24               birth-day
August 29           his beheading
September  23    his conception (?)

Name days are far more important than birthdays here.  Few know when your birthday is but everyone knows when it's your name day.   Even those with names  like Aristotle or Socrates have name days.  No, these are not the ancient greek philosophers but orthodox saints.  

To celebrate your name you must have been given the name of an orthodox saint and have your nameday on the saint's feast day.  Otherwise you can celebrate on All Saints Day.

You'll get endless phone calls, Facebook balloons and air-kisses from friends and acquaintences.  In the good-olden days it was presumed you had open house and everyone just turned up with a bottle of whisky or a box of sticky cakes to wish you 'kronia polla' (many happy returns) and join in your party.  Nowadays you'll still be expected to shout your workmates and cronies an ouzo or two but people do not turn up to your party unless asked.  In fact the party will probably be just a special meal for close family.  

This morning I wished our Yianni a 'kronia polla' and hoped  the bluebird of happiness might fly up his nose.  He wasn't sure whether to respond with a smile or be offended.

The bluebird is a symbol of happiness, prosperity, good health and the return of spring in many cultures.  Getting a noseful of the little fellow isn't quite as painful as it sounds