In a recent post we mentioned the Greeks’ proneness to believe in conspiracy theories – theories about phenomena or events which go counter to rational explanation but offer a comforting and simplistic interpretation of issues which are complex and possibly threatening to the proverbial man in the street.
While those conspiracy theories which are identified as such are generally of recent origin, arising out of new occurrences which need explanation, there are other forms of folk belief which have become institutionalised so that they are part of the cultural furniture. Regular perusal of the readers’ comments in any of the liberal English-speaking newspapers will throw up a selection of slighting references to religion itself as a form of folk belief with pernicious consequences – a trend which has grown as religions have become increasingly radicalised in the past few decades. But setting aside the basic beliefs in a God and an afterlife which still characterise whole nations, there are clearly many facets of religious and popular traditional practice which can be considered on a par with modern conspiracy theories. Many have to do with performing certain rituals which are believed to bring good luck, many of which are associated with Christmas and the New Year. Among those practised in Greece we can count:
– the smashing of a pomegranate on the threshold of a house at the New Year;
– retrieving the Cross thrown into the water at Epiphany to obtain the bishop’s blessing;
– finding the flouri (a small coin or token) in one’s slice of cake at the cutting of the vasilopita.
The practice of putting a coin in a Christmas cake is widespread, but in the English-speaking world at least, if it survives at all it is in a family context and is maintained for the benefit of the children – much like the belief in Father Christmas. It is therefore something of a novelty to find it practised in Greece not only by families but by organisations of all sizes where, as on occasions such as the inauguration of a new business or the opening of a new building, the attendance of a priest is required – though it this case it seems there is no need for a sprinkling with holy water.
In reality of course, the event is the occasion not so much for the exercise of superstition as for an exchange of good wishes for the coming year, for thanking employees for their past service, for speechifying about past achievements and hopes for the future, and generally starting the New Year off on an optimistic note. In that respect its function as part of the social glue which binds Greek society together cannot be denied.
At the Presidential Palace
On 1st January the President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas cut the vasilopita at the premises of the Presidential Guard, whose duties include guarding the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square. Addressing the assembled officers he said:
“Today is an extra special day, a unique day of the year. We put aside our cares, our anxieties, our doubts, our disappointments and allow hope and optimism to surface and come to the forefront. And justifiably, because we leave behind the year which has passed and all that which may have caused us sorrow, and contemplate the new year with greater optimism and certainty.”
At the Municipality of Sfakia
Many municipal vasilopita ceremonies have yet to take place. One which did, on Friday 9th January, was that in Sfakia where, as reported by Haniotika Nea, the Mayor Ioannis Zervos performed the ceremony for the Municipal Council and made a short speech laying out the Council’s priorities for the coming year.
The basic and non-negotiable aim of the municipal authority, he said, remains the improvement of the daily life of its citizens and those who have chosen Sfakia as their place of residence, through infrastructure works, strengthening the local economy and exploitation of every available funding instrument. He made special reference to the importance of cooperation with agencies, ministries and services of the state and the wider public sector, emphasising that only through consultation, practical support and respect for the requirements of the State can plans be translated into actual works for the benefit of the Sfakians.
The cutting of the Council’s New Years cake was carried out in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the report says, the blessing being pronounced by Father Athanasios Koukounaris, who wished the assembled company a happy and creative year, with health, harmony and cooperation. During the event, the Mayor congratulated municipal employee Athina Amiradaki, who found the flouri in her slice of vasilopita.
Chania MP Sevi Voloudaki
In an advertisement in the Haniotika Nea, Deputy Immigration Minister and Chania MP Sevi Voloudaki issued an invitation to attend her office’s vasilopita ceremony at the historic Kypos Cafe in Chania at 6.30 pm on Monday 12th January.
Afrata village
On the evening of Saturday 10th January the Syllogos in Afrata held a vasilopita-cutting ceremony in the old schoolhouse for the first time in many years. It was well attended by the villagers and quite a few foreign residents, who were treated to a substantial meal of salads, tzatziki, kalitsounia, roast pork and some very tasty wild boar sausages.
A blessing was pronounced by the local priest Father Antonis and following the cutting of the cake the flouri was found to have been won by Afrata’s representative on the Platanias Council, who was warmly congratulated by those present. The Syllogos now being run by the village’s younger generation, consisting a few members of one prominent village family, an appeal was made for more assistance so that its activities could be extended beyond the annual Honey Festival.