Issue 1 November/December 2015
Our digital mag An eTwinning project
Evangeliki School
Greek Monuments
Greek Christmas
Traditions
THE PARTHENON The Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. It was built by Iktinos and Kalikratis. It was built in the 5th century BC. The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece, Athenian democracy and western civilization, and one of the world's greatest cultural monuments.
By Philip Papadopoulos, John Spinos, Anthony Chroundas
Theodosis Haritos-Jim Soulimiotis
English Lesson
ANCIENT THEATRE OF EPIDAURUS The ancient theatre of Epidaurus was built in 340 BC and it was designed by Polykleitos the Younger, according to Pausanias. The theatre had a capacity of 13.000 spectators and it was divided into two parts: A 21-rows of seats part, which was aimed for the citizens and a 34-rows of seats part, which was aimed for the priests and rulers. Furthermore, the theatre was built with marble.
The weird thing about the ancient theatre is that wherever you seat in the theatre you can hear very clearly, as the acoustic of the theatre is one of the greatest in the world. The actors’ sounds can be heard very readily from every position you seat in the theatre. This special benefit always excites the tourists, who visit the theatre usually in summer, because of the unique performances.
B3
ΠΡΟΤΥΠΟ ΓΥΜΝΑΣΙΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΚΗΣ ΣΧΟΛΗΣ ΣΜΥΡΝΗΣ
2015-16
Theodosis Haritos-Jim Soulimiotis
English Lesson
Every summer at the theatre an event takes place, which is called Epidauria, which mainly includes ancient drama performances. This cultural event is one of the most important festivals in the world. Many Greek and foreigner actors had the chance to take part in it.
Visiting the theatre and watching a performance there, should be an included trip in those who are visiting Greece, because being in this theatre is a thrilling experience. If anyone wants extra information about this archeological site, could visit the official webpage.
To sum up, the theatre of Epidaurus is a very special monument of our country, which is also a symbol of the ancient art.
B3
ΠΡΟΤΥΠΟ ΓΥΜΝΑΣΙΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΚΗΣ ΣΧΟΛΗΣ ΣΜΥΡΝΗΣ
2015-16
Ancient Olympia Ancient Olympia is a Greek archaeological site that attracts many tourists from all over the world annually. It is located on the western Peloponnese peninsula. It became the most famous religious and athletic centre in Greece. The ancient Olympic Games were held there every four years and they were dedicated to god Zeus. The first Olympic Games took place in 776 BC. Even nowadays the Olympic Flame is lit in Olympia and afterwards transferred to the place where the games occur. The first temple that was built was the Temple of Hera around 600 BC by the Skiloudians, allies of the Pistans.
Sophia Stamatiadis
What is it?
Where is it?
When was it build and what is it made from?
Why it’s worth visiting?
Theodora Fragakis
1/11/2015
It is an ancient temple dedicated to Poseidon, the Greek god of sea.
It is located about 60 km away of Athens the capital city of Greece, at cape Sounion, in the Attica peninsula.
It was built around 440 BC and it is made out of marble.
It is a great chance to admire one of the Greek landmarks and also enjoy the majestic view.
Delphi was built by some Cretans like the myth says. Apollo killed Python (the guardian of Delphi) and the oracle became his. Many kings, noblemen and simple people were visiting Pythia, the priestess of Delphi, for an oracle.
Her words weren’t very comprehensible from them but they were always true. From her words were depending wars or battles. The strange thing about Pythia was that she drunk water, ate bay leaves and sit on a tripod to say an oracle.
We made questionnaires about the student's preferences and activities and gave it to them. From the results we came to the following conclusions: Most of the students prefer practical to theoretical subjects. The majority like Maths and Science. From the theoretical subjects the most popular was Ancient Greek Language in the first grade, and in the second and third grade was History. In addition, a lot of students attend one of our school clubs. The vast majority of students, also takes part in an after school activity and the most popular ones are foreign languages and sports. Moreover, the students believe that they don't have enough free time and complained about the amount of homework. Finally, they like the facilities of our school and the teaching methods that our teachers use.
Theoretical or Practical Subjects Theoretical Practical
Karanika Antigoni Karnarou Christina Katsoulakou Stella Lepidas Giorgos Maroutsou Evina Mirkou Marina Baousi Myrto Nazaria Julia
Every country has its own Christmas traditions and customs. Some are common in many countries and others have started from a place and then spread to other lands. Yet there are some traditions that exist only in one particular country or region. In Chios, a greek island in Aegean Sea, there is a custom which takes place on New Years' Eve, called the Santa Clause boats. According to that, the parishes construct small wooden ships just like the real ones. Then a competition for the best boat begins. The result is based on two criteria. The one is the quality of the construction and the other is the similarity with the real ships. At the same time, "the crew" of each boat sings Christmas carols! Christine Karnarou
MERRY CHRISTMAS...
...AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Kallikantzaroi Traditions about the Kallikantzaroi vary from region to region, but in general they are half-animal, half-human monsters, black, hairy, with huge heads, glaring red eyes, goats' ears, blood-red tongues hanging out, ferocious tusks, monkeys' arms, long curved nails, and commonly they have the foot of some beast. From dawn till sunset they hide themselves in dark and dank places, but at night they issue forth and run wildly to and fro, rending and crushing those who cross their path. When a house is not prepared against their coming, by chimney and door alike, they swarm in, and make havoc of the home; they overturn and break all the furniture, devour the Christmas pork, befoul all the water and wine and food which remains, and leave the occupants half dead with fright or violence.
Antigoni Karanika
B’2
2015-16
Πρότυπο Γυμνάσιο Ευαγγελικής Σχολής Σμύρνης
Vasilopita Vasilopita is a cake which is made in Greece and some other countries on the New Year’s Eve and is served a few minutes after the year changes. It usually consists of flour, eggs, sugar and milk. A coin is put in it, which brings luck to its receiver for the whole year. The number of the New Year is often written on the cake with almonds, hazelnuts, sugar or cream (see photo on the right side). Vasilopita is served right after the year changes in a family gathering. The host brings it to the table and starts cutting it in triangular pieces. Some of them are cut for various symbolic people or groups, such as Christ, St. Mary, St. Basil, the house and the poor.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasilopita https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Βασιλόπιτα http://www.vasilopita.com/story.html
Theodore Malikourtis B2
Momogeroi Momogeroi is a Greek Christmas tradition in Macedonia, but it comes from refuges from Podos. It's a type of traditional theatre, the name of the tradition came from the words mimos(mime), because of the miming moves of the actors and geros(old man), because their faces look old. They dress up as animals or people, for example knights, fighters). They appear during the 12 days of Christmas (between the 17th of December and the 1rst of January) celebrating for the new year. They hang out in groups and they sing Christmas Carols. When two groups meet one another, they ''fight'' for fun and the group that loses has to show submission to the winners.
Stella Katsoulakou
Greek customs There are many customs in my country (Greece) for Christmas and some of them are related to food. My favorite custom is making and specially eating melomakarona and kourabiedes. There are many variations in the recipe of melomakarona. The main ingredients are olive oil, sugar, orange juice, cognac, flour and cinnamon. The special thing we do to make these “biscuits� after we bake them, is to soak them in a mix of water and honey. This makes them softer and more delicious! Most of the time after this preparation we sprinkle on them crushed walnuts. Regarding kourabiedes, the main difference from melomakarona is that they are made with butter instead of olive oil. The other ingredients are powdered sugar, eggs, cognac and flour. After we bake them we put on them powdered sugar.
Melomakarona.
Kourabiedes.
“Christopsomo� The "bread of Christ" it was made on the eve of Christmas, by the housewife with special reverence and special yeast. Supply up, scratched the cross. Around - around several decorative carved in dough or additional ornaments. They emphasized the purpose of Christmas cake and expressing the different beliefs of the faithful. On the day of Christ, the landlord took the Christmas cake, the crossed them , the cut and handed out to all his family and to those who attended the Christmas table.
Evina Maroutsou
Christmas customs
Today at Christmas we decorate the Christmas tree. However in the past in my country people used to decorate a boat. This custom took place especially in our islands. The boat wasn’t the symbol of the home and the family but was the symbol of the separation because a lot of fathers were absent from their home because they were travelling as sailors.
Christmas customs The boat is also a symbol for the new life of the humane being after Jesus’ birth. A custom that existed in our islands was that the children made boats from paper and wood. Then they decorated them with colorful papers and ropes. Afterwards they were going around the houses and they were singing. On the boat children put the sweets that they were given.
Sometimes people put a boat into a bottle and in this way they decorate the houses and the shops.
Christmas customs
MERICHOVITIS IOANNIS
In central Greece in the old days there was a strange tradition for Christmas Eve. All village girls with a pitcher in their hands were going during the night or just before dawn to the nearest tap to get the “unspoken water”. Along the way they should not talk at all and as they were filling the pitchers they weren’t allowed to say a word, otherwise the unspoken water would be lost. Once they were getting the water, they would leave food in the tap, such as butter, cheese, wheat or olive branch, and made a wish for good luck which was: << As the water runs from
my tap, may run my life!>>. Then, they were throwing a leaf bramble and three gravels in the pitcher and they were returning back home without talking to anyone. The whole family was drinking from the unspoken water because they believed that this would protect them from bad luck and. Then they were sprinkling the house to keep it clean and they were placing the gravels and the leaf in the corners of the house to protect themselves from the goblins.
Marina Mirkou B2’
Greek Christmas Carols A very old custom which remains today practically unchanged is the Greek Christmas carols, which is called calanda in Greek. Children, in groups of two or more, still make the rounds of houses singing carols, usually accompanied by the triangle or guitars, accordions or harmonicas. The children go from house to house, knock on doors and ask: "shall we say them?" If the homeowner's answer is yes, the kids sing the Christmas carols for several minutes before finishing up with the wish, "And for the next year, many happy returns." Years ago the homeowners offered the children holiday sweets and pastries, but today they usually give them some money. The carols are sung on the eves of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany, and they are different for each holiday.
GREEK CHRISTMAS CAROLS Good day lords If it's your bidding Of the Christ's divine birth I will tell in your manse Christ is being born today In the town of Bethlehem The heavens rejoice And all creation delights In the cave he is born Within the horse manger The king of the heavens And Maker of all . . . GREEK NEW YEAR CAROLS First of the month and first of the year My tall rosemary Let our good year begin Church with the holy throne It is the beginning when Christ
Holy and spiritual Will walk on earth And cheer us up St. Basil is on his way And will not deign on us From Kesaria You're a Lady milady
THE LIT HOLLY BRANCH
Dimitris Bekiaris
As submitted in Epirus, when Christ was born, and the shepherds went to worship him, they built dried holly torches to find their way in the night. This event is celebrated throughout Epirus, especially in the villages of Arta. There whoever goes to their neighbor's home to visit him, must keep a holly branch. Variant of this custom appears in Ioannina, where guests enter holding a handful of bay leaves that they throw in the fireplace of the house, saying wishes.
The Christ’s wood In Northern Greece, the custom of Christ’s wood prevails. The landlord of the house, looks in the fields on the eve of the holidays and chooses the Christ’s wood, the most beautiful, sturdy and thick wood of pine or olive, which will go home in order to burn then the fireplace from Christmas until Epiphany. It is believed that as Christ’s wood burns, it warms Christ in the cold cave of Bethlehem.
Before the landlord bears the Christ’s wood at home, the housewife takes care of having good clean house and with particular attention to the fireplace in order not to leave any trace of the old ashes. They clean even the chimney, not to find presses to descend goblins, evil demons, as they say in the traditional Christmas tales.
On Christmas Eve night, when the whole family is gathered around the fireplace, the house of the landlord will light the new fire with the Christ’s wood, to wish all endure throughout the twelve days of holiday.
In other parts of Northern Greece, the most selected and large stump, guarded on purpose until the Christmas Eve, is brought close to a fireplace on the Eve and before they throw it in fire, they sprinkle it with almonds and walnuts, with nuts of the year that is ending. Children run home and pick up the "katachysmata" as they gather candy which they throw at the newlyweds in the church. The stump that is lit it’s the Christ’s wood.
In some places, they believed that the ashes of the Christ’s wood were good for crops and harvest, so it made sure the harvest and to the shed in the fields, but after Epiphany.
Julia Nazaria B’2
Smashing a Pomegranate Pomegranate is considered to be a sign of fertility, prosperity and regeneration. In Greece, from the ancient times, it has been the custom for households to hang a pomegranate above the main entrance door of the house. Later, in some villages, people got the fruit blessed at the Church before doing so. At New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve, a little before the clock strikes twelve marking the change of the year, it is the custom to switch off all lights and for all family and guests to step out of the house. Then all step in again with their right foot first. It is believed that First Footer of the year should be a person with a kind and loving heart; a child is often made a First Footer for their pure, innocent and honest heart. The landlord holds the fruit in the right hand and throws it with force against the door and smashes it open. The more number of seeds gets scattered, the better luck the family would be blessed with, in the upcoming year.
Source: http://www.123newyear.com/newyear-traditions/greece.html