Epiphany: The daring “duty-holders” and the customs that are revived in Northern Greece

“Ragouts,” “Fotarades,” camels, and the burning of goblins are immoderate of the traditions of Epiphany, which person “roots” profoundly hidden successful the centuries and, on with the daring dive-bombers who brave the icy waters of January and plunge into seas and rivers to drawback the Cross, are revived successful respective regions of Northern Greece.

The solemnisation of airy – Epiphany “Ton Foton” is the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. In Thessaloniki this twelvemonth again, the ceremonial of the consecration of the waters and the pouring of the Holy Cross volition instrumentality spot astatine the archetypal pier of the harbour, connected Monday, January 6, astatine 11 americium by the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Filotheos.

Until 2023, the transverse was being formed astatine Nikis Avenue, astatine the tallness of Aghia Sophia, but the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki decided to alteration the spot aft seeing a achromatic and achromatic photograph from 1971. It was appreciated that the alteration of determination offers easier entree and an unobstructed presumption to the thousands of worshippers who privation to spot the casting of the Cross and to those who determine to dive into the waters of Thermaikos.

“Ragoutsaria” disturbance up Kastoria

The Ragoutsaria is simply a three-day carnival event, starting connected January 6 and ending connected the 8th successful Kastoria. The metropolis of occidental Macedonia acquires a peculiar colour and festive atmosphere.

The “Ragoutsaria” begins connected the time of Epiphany and ends connected January 8 (“Pateritsa”), with the parade of thousands of carnivalists. The metropolis is “dressed up” festively, the orchestras, which are composed exclusively of brass and percussion instruments, springiness a peculiar touch, portion young and aged alike organise themselves into “bouloukia” and creation non-stop successful the streets.

The customs of the “Camel and the Bride” and the Fotarades successful Halkidiki

The customized of “Camel and the Bride” is revived implicit the 3 days, January 5, 6, and 7 successful Galatista, Halkidiki. The customized has its roots successful the years of Turkish regularisation and is based connected the information of the abduction of a precise beauteous girl, Manios, by the colony Agas to fastener her up successful his harem. The lads of the village, led by her lover, incapable to tolerate the kidnapping and the insult, reacted and decided to instrumentality the miss back. So they came up with the Camel’s trick, thing akin to the Trojan Horse. And they succeeded!

On the 2nd day, the customized includes the wedding of Mania, successful which lone men formal arsenic bride and maid of honor, and this is an outgrowth of different era, backmost erstwhile women were not allowed to instrumentality portion successful men’s parties. The customized lasts for 3 days, successful the quadrate of Major John Hadjoudis successful Galatista.

Also successful Halkidiki, successful Paleokastro, the customized of Fotarades is preserved, which starts connected the eve of Christmas. A radical of Kalantistas elects a “king” and each of them spell unneurotic to the colony church. The radical past goes astir singing the section carols, which culminate successful idiosyncratic wishes for each subordinate of the family. On Christmas Day, the “king”, dressed successful a cape, and the “Fotarades”, dressed successful section costume and carrying ample woody swords, creation successful the colony square.

The “burning of the goblins” successful Katerini

The “burning of the goblin” volition beryllium revived again this year, connected the eve of Epiphany, successful Ano Agios Ioannis of Katerini. It is simply a customized that symbolizes the exorcism of evil spirits, has its roots successful Argos of Pontus, and has been revived for dozens of years.