According to Greek mythology, his mother, Semele, was a mortal woman, but his father was Zeus, the king of all gods. … The Eptanisa as they are called in Greek (a seven-island group in the Ionian Sea) bring their own traditions to every season, Christmas included, and this Karythopita walnut spice cake is one. In the village of Tetralofos in Kozani, the event is held over Christmas and Boxing Day. As early as 1444, wreaths were used as Christmas decorations in London. It is a tradition dating back to Ancient Greek and Roman times when the Saturnalia was celebrated in December. The Sigillaria on 19 December was a day of gift-giving. The tradition stemmed from Greece’s history with the sea as a maritime country. The culture and traditions of the ancient Greeks have similarities to modern-day societies, although some customs were very different. “The tree gave birth to the wreath,” says Ace Collins, author of Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas. Greeks do celebrate Christmas on 25 th December, but as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Santa Claus, who, in The Greek Orthodox Church, is Agios Vassilis – Saint Basil, and not Saint Nicholas, arrives with his sack of presents at New Year. Children will clang sheep bells as the fire is lit under the whole construction on the night of 23 December. Culture Early Greek literature included stories that taught lessons and long poems that told of adventures. Celebrating Solstice the Ancient Greek Way. The Ritual Sacrifice Of Animals. The Olympics began with the athletes entering a temple. The origins of theatre are traced to Momus and his satire. Because gifts of value would mark social status contrary to the spirit of the season, these were often the pottery or wax figurines called sigillaria made specially for the day, candles, or " gag gifts ", of which Augustus was particularly fond. Ancient Greek Culture and Traditions. The evil eye is a superstition that a great percentage of Greeks believe … They are warmed by the fire of big log that is burning in the fireplace. Contemporary Greek culture and traditions are very rich and diverse, reflecting Greece's location at the crossing point where the West meets the East and the country's great and turbulent history. From 21 December onwards, the days start to get longer again and this fact sparked the celebrations that have now become part of the Christmas tradition. Learn about the daily life of ancient Greece in this lesson. Ancient Greece and Christmas Every society has religious festivals that are accompanied by feasting and celebrations. (The first of January is Saint Vasilios, or Agios Vasilis’s Feast Day.) In the Kozani region of West Macedonia, in the town of Siatista, each neighbourhood digs a large hole in an open space to erect a Klatharia made of dry brushwood that is built up a big log (vergi) can be as high as five metres. 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