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The Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross
In the Greek Orthodox church this is one of the big feast days. But not in the way of eating. It's a day of strict fasting, like Good Friday. No oil and absolutely no, meat, fish, eggs or dairy. Too bad if it's your name day. You'll be celebrating with grilled octopus and squid and sharing out almond cakes and dark chocolate with nuts. But, there's no limit on the ouzo, wine and raki.
We ate liver and onions.
K, although a very traditional greek, is exempted from these rules and regulations for health reasons.
My sister in law went to the little church at the end of the harbour with a bunch of basil and brought back Holy water to sprinkle round the house. Everyone takes basil to church on this day. It's a holy plant because when Empress Helena discovered the true cross there was a basil plant growing there.
In older days and even now the good greek housewife will place her blessed bunch of holy basil in a basin of water, leave it to soak for a few days and make sourdough starter from the liquid. Don't bother if you're a young woman and it's your time of the month. It won't work, so they say.
Schools opened on the 13th. All my younger grandchildren have to do covid tests twice a week until they are vaccinated and wear masks during lessons. They are allowed to take them off during breaks and gym out in the yard.
They are all down on the list to be vaccinated and hopefully that will happen this week. At least they won't then need to do those twice weekly tests.
Golly, all those feast days would wear me out.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of arguing going on over here about schoolchildren being vaccinated and wearing masks. I really don't know enough to judge which side of the argument to believe.
Kids get vaccinated for a wide range of diseases. This is no different.
DeleteThey've got used to masks now. Mine have a different colour, design for every outfit. Just get the jab and get us back to the old normal I say
Here the adults in the family have already received the third dose of the vaccine, the 13-year-old grandson has received two doses and the younger ones are doing tests twice a week.
ReplyDeleteYou're the same as us though Israel is ahead with its third doses. They're just starting here.
DeleteGet vaccinated and stop this damn thing I say
The people in power have said children over 12 can now get vaccinated but we don’t the the vaccines to do everyone at the moment. Our government was slow off the mark with ordering vaccines. Probably because they have money invested in the company manufacturing here in Australia
ReplyDeleteIt’s all political and they really don’t care about the people I’m convinced
I hope they get their act together. The damn virus has reached everywhere.
DeleteGreeks certainly know how to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteEven in times of strict fasting ... Or poverty . They'll be out there drinking and dancing
DeleteWould it be possible for you to put up a photo of your basil please..there are so many types but is yours the same as the ancient type holy basil in SE Asia? I mostly use a purple flower type here that suits our Hawaii weather. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI don't think it matters about which basil but I'll try and get a photo. I just ripped mine out . It had all gone to seed. There are three types here, big leaf and small leaf and a type which grows all year round .
DeleteSo many religious feasts! It's funny how a religion can think eating something one day is OK and not another... I know from being brought up Roman Catholic. Hence the tradition of fish and chips of a Friday night :) I respect your ways though and the tradition that goes along with the lifestyle. You have adapted very well to being a good Greek wife!
ReplyDeleteI just write about it Lynda, I don't necessarily follow the rules. A lot of them annoy me, especially those about women.
DeleteYou seem to have so many celebration days in Greece.
ReplyDeleteOne after another, especially for the next few months
DeleteThere are worse things to fast on than grilled octopus and dark chocolate with nuts......and marzipan. (Mmmmmmm) I did complain a little about how long it took to get vaccinated here, but (following Angela's comment) i do wonder if NZ and Aus got a bit complacent about vaccines because they had community transmission under control with lockdowns. I wonder if they hoped it would all be over before they needed to invest the money.
ReplyDeleteI bet Jacinda was patting herself on the back thinking she'd kept the world at bay. Not anymore.
DeleteIt wasn't that NZ got a bit complacent with vaccines, it was more that there are alot of people here who think it's all a big hoax. It's sad to read peoples comments online here especially ones that don't make sense. I have relatives that think it will change their DNA and make them sterile, thats how crazy it is.
ReplyDeleteLol, when you speak of fast days, I was totally caught off guard this week, was not expecting it on Tuesday. Ah, how we become so accustomed to routine :-)
ReplyDeleteI have had my two, and haven't decided if I will get the third (although probably). I have heard quite a lot of discussion from Dr's about whether or not it is necessary. There was a big grumpiness from the unvaxed that could not go to our state fair, but the Balloon Fiesta will just require masks...haven't heard if they will require visitors to be vaxed. I never go, I just sit out in the backyard and watch them float by. This year I'll be working the Greek Festival at our church, so likely won't have time anyway!