Sunday 10 November 2019

November

Some countries are/were celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas.  Here in Orthodox Greece we are preparing for 2 months of name days, celebrations, church fiestas, and in our family a slew of birthdays.  But it's not all killing the fatted pig and testing this years vintage.   There are another 40 days of fasting before December 25th and that begins about now.

November 8th is the feast day of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and the name day celebration of those named after them, mainly Mihalis, Matina, Angeliki and Stamatis.  Every year we go to the home of K's cousin Mihali and his wife Angeliki.  Both of them have the same name day and there is always roast pork, spinach pie, lettuce salad with pomegranite and a syrupy dessert. 

The first of winter's spinach and lettuce is ready for eating and pomegranites are at their best, still on the trees, red and ripe.

This time last year it was cold and drizzling.  Not a night you wanted to venture out.  
A few years ago, at the same time in November my brother and his wife visited from Perth, Australia.  What we remember most about the visit was the bitter cold.  We visited some of the ancient ruins wrapped up in thick jackets.

Anyway.....
this year the evening was warm and dry.  They have a very cold house, icy marble tiles everywhere and muted colours.  Lots of grey and black, not colours to warm the eye or the soul.  Last year I froze in a light shirt.  I was relying on their central heating which they didn't turn on till half an hour after we were seated at the table.  This year I came prepared and wore a jacket.  Not necessary.
We sat and ate and chatted in a very agreeable atmosphere.


It's raining today but we are still in short sleeves.  I have put a couple of  rugs down in the bedroom and winter clothes are hanging in the closet but in the main we are enjoying this late autumn warmth.

My grandchildren are still thinking of swimming.  Someone else, my age, told me they were still swimming  in the sea and the water was em-bracing.    It won't be em-bracing me! 

10 November
The 37th year of the Authentic Athens Marathon
As usual won by a Kenyan with Rwanda coming in 2nd and for the first time in many mnay years a Greek came in at third place.




The marathon is a 42 kilometre run following the route of the original marathon runner in 490BC  from the the village of Marathon to the centre of Athens.  The authentic marathon runner in ancient times raced back to the Athenians to tell them that their army had defeated the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.



11th November
Armistice Day



Not really celebrated around here.  I crocheted some poppies back in April before the NZ and Australian remembrance day.  Not sure what to do with them.  I suppose they could be used as Xmas decorations

17th November
Remembering the uprising of students of Athens University in 1973 which led to the downfall of the military junta.  


Usually there  is rioting  around the Parliament buildings, a ripping up of marble tiles to throw at the police, a hail of molotov cocktails and in return a cloud of tear gas.

Schools hold commemorative services and school children have a day off.

21st November
A feast day celebrating the entrance of the Virgin Mary, as a child, into the temple at Jerusalem.
Greek Armed Forces Day.  Time for ex Navy officers to attend the church service and enjoy the company of fellow officers at a local taverna
Name day of  unmarried girls named Maria

25 and 26 November
Saints Katherine and Saint Stylianos (Stelios and Stella)

30 November Saint Andreas

Those are just the more important of the holidays.  There are more!


20 comments:

  1. Your November in Greece is so different from November in New Zealand!
    I loved your comment about the sea not em-bracing you. I used to love swimming in the sea at any time, but now I like the sea to be quite warm before I dip my toes into it :)

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    1. I used to be a winter swimmer but it has to be July before Ill take the plunge now!

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  2. Many of those November events are familiar to me, being a Greek Orthodox convert here in Southern California! But only for five years...so there's still a lot to learn. I have a good friend here who married a Greek man over 40 years ago and converted at that time. He still tells her she's "new to the faith" and has more to learn. Ah well, but it does add a wonderful depth to life, or so I've found. I think your poppies would make nice Christmas decorations. Have a lovely November.

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    1. I didn't have to convert when I got married 40 years ago because I was church of England but I take part in all these celebrations becaise I live in the middle of it. I'm a foreigner and always will be. I used try make the sign of the cross and even kissing icons but that didn't last long. There is so much to learn and for sure I don't know it all. I keep on the side lines
      Good luck! And thanks

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  3. You do celebrate lots of Days!!!

    Enjoy!

    And here, Thanksgiving is upcoming. But way too late in the year.

    And cold and snow... But I love living in the 4 Seasons, so I can't complain.

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    1. Almost 365 days of the year! They do have a few days off lol
      Saw your snow. Oh boy. Enjoy your warm cosy house!

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  4. Here 30 degrees all week, strong dry winds and some fires around, I'm waiting for the winter.

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    1. Still 30o. Actually that's nice at this time of the year. Don't worry, winter is close!!!

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  5. It has turned chilly here - 14 degrees at 5 p.m. and I have lit the fire. Wimp.

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    1. You are having a cold November. We were in NZ IN nOVEMBER IN 2004, beautiful sunny days but nights were chilly. Not chilly enough for a fire though.
      Oh well, not long till xmas!

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  6. I have just started lighting evening fires (at my wife's insistence), and after about half an hour it's far too hot. Still, probably best not to let the stone house walls cool down too much.

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    1. Thank goodness it's not cold enough for a fire yet. We are saving on firewood but also I don't feel like getting into that routine yet. Quite happy to wander in short sleeves

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  7. It’s a good thing we don’t celebrate names days anymore. I’m not in a fit state to entertain guests lol
    Hopefully I’m better just as the summer decides to bless us
    You could always lay the poppies at the tomb of the unknown solider that’s closest to you. I’m sure they would love it

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    1. Kronia Polla, Angela.
      At least most name days just mean a telephone call and not a visit but there are a lot of them now and a lot are close family. Getting practise for xmas!
      Keep strong

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  8. The knitting creature sat opposite me likes the poppies. Very impressive!

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    1. Knitting creatures understand!! I was impressed myself that they turned out so well. Now what to do with them!

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  9. Was Armistace day here too, good to remember each year aye? I don't think I've tried pomegranates but the roast pig and the other goodies sound good.

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    1. Pomegranites are very hard to get ready for eating. Drink the juice from a bottle, much easier! They are seeds and a bit crunchy. Quite nice in a salad if you've got the patirence!

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  10. I didn't know that you had so many holidays at this time of year!
    I'm like you, the kids can swim in the ocean, not me!!
    I think the poppies would make great Christmas decorations!


    My Corner of the World

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    1. The celebrations go on forever it seems at thuis time of the year, until mid January in fact and then we settle down to enjoy winter lol

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