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Christmas is one of the greatest celebrations of the Christian world. According to the Orthodox Church it is the second most important celebration after Easter.

The name "Christougenna" tells the purpose of the celebration, i.e. the birth of Christ ("Christou" = Christ’s, "genna" = birth)

Christmas is celebrated on December 25^th.

During the first Christian centuries it was celebrated on the same day as Epiphany.

In the 4^th century AD, December 25^th was chosen as Christ’s birthday because it coincided with the end of nine months since Annunciation (March 25^th).

Christmas is preceded by 40 days of fasting. It is believed that in this way people will be ready to expect Christ’s birth with a clear soul and body.

There can’t be Christmas without a Christmas tree. The decoration of the Christmas tree is not a Greek custom. It was brought to Greece by the Bavarian kings. It is usually a fir-tree. We decorate it with ornaments such as balls, angels, stars, tinsel and colourful lights.

In the past, instead of a tree people, especially islanders, used to decorate a ship. This custom still survives on many islands. However, not only homes are decorated but also streets, squares, shop windows, schools so that the Christmas spirit is spread everywhere.

Christmas Day and the day after are national holidays.
Schools remain closed from December 23^rd to January 7^th. It is customary for Greeks to attend the church service on Christmas Day and spend the rest of the day at home with their family and friends.

Food
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The Christmas table is filled with all sorts of food. There is always meat (pork mainly or turkey) and the so-called "Christopsomo" (Christ’s bread).

The meal is followed by traditional sweets. These are "kourambiethes" (nut cookies dusted with powdered sugar) "diples" (fried dough cookies dipped in honey) and "melomakarona" (honey-dipped cookies, often stuffed with nuts)

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WISHES

On Christmas Day people greet each other saying "Hronia polla" which means " many happy years".

CARDS

Christmas cards are very popular. People enjoy sending them to their friends or relatives who can’t be with them on that day.

CAROLS

The custom of singing carols dates back to the ancient years.
On Christmas Eve, (24^th December) in the morning, children, mainly, holding small metallic triangles or other music instruments, knock on people’s doors and sing the Christmas carols. As reward they get money or sweets.

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St Nicholas

PRESENTS

Presents are exchanged throughout Christmas but mostly on New Years Eve.

Presents are brought to children by St.Basil, the Greek Father Christmas.

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St Basil

LEGENDS: "KALLIKANTZARI" (GOBLINS)

"Kallikantzari" or goblins are tiny, jet-black creatures that live in the underground. They are not evil, but very mischievous. They have got axes and hatchets and all year long they try to cut down the tree that holds the Earth. During the 12 days of Christmas (i.e. from December 24^th to January 5^th) they decide to have some rest, leave the underground and come up to the Earth. There they can have fun by playing tricks on people. People try to avoid them by burning frankincense, whose smell goblins can’t stand, and by either blocking their chimneys with cloths or by keeping their fireplace burning day and night. However, on January 6^th the renewal of waters sends them back to the underground where they have to start from scratch again because the tree that holds the Earth has been restored.