Greece and “Greekness”

What does it mean to be Greek?

Greece

The Remains of the Past Lead to the Present

Location Asks the geographic question:

Where is it?

Two ways of describing the position and distribution of people and places on Earth’s surface.– Absolute location on Earth – Relative location

Where is Greece?

Greece

39o N

22o E

How big is Greece

About the size of Louisiana – 52,000 sq. miles

Interesting fact:2000 islands – 227 inhabited

Cultural MosaicWhat is Culture?

Human characteristics that define a group of people.

• Social structure• Language• Beliefs• Art• Food• Traditions

Culture describes how a group defines itself and the groups way of life .

Greek Identity

• Language - Greek

• Religion – Greek Orthodox

• Common Habits and Customs (Culture)

• Hellenism -- Connection to Classic Greece (descended from Hellen, son of Deucalion)

Greece and “Greekness”

What does it mean to be Greek?

LANGUAGE

Language

• 99% of the population speaks Greek

• Greek is the official language

• English is widely spoken

Greece and “Greekness”

What does it mean to be Greek?

RELIGION

Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ

• Religion plays an important role in the everyday life of Greeks

• 98% of the population Greek Orthodox

Brief Overview of Beliefs

• Orthodox Christians believe in a single God who is both three and one—Triune—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, "one in essence and undivided."

• Ultimate goal of the Orthodox Christian is to achieve theosis, or Union with God

• Salvation, or "being saved," refers to process of being saved from the fate of separation from God. Available to all – not the same as going to Heaven.

• A person does not earn entrance into Heaven• Resurrection of Christ is the most important event of the

Orthodox Church

History of Greek Orthodox Church

• Christianity first spread in Greek speaking half of the Roman empire.

• 313 Emperor Constantine (Byzantine) ended persecution of Christians

• Differences and disagreements between the two parts of the Roman Empire occurred over successive centuries.

• Great Schism (break) from Roman Catholic Church (Church of the West) and Constantinople (Church of the East) in 11th Century.

• Orthodox religions spread in East.

Church Services

• Mostly sung or chanted

• Incense – symbolizes pray rising to God

Customs Tied to Religion

• Easter most important in Greek Orthodox religion

• Name Day• Saints Day/Festivals• Fasting

Nativity of the Theotokos September 8

Exaltation of the Holy Cross September 14

Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple

November 21

Christmas (Nativity of Jesus Christ) December 25

Epiphany (Baptism of Christ) January 6

Presentation of Christ in the Temple February 2

Annunciation (Evangelismos) March 25

EASTER (Pascha)(Varies from year

to year)

Ascension(40 Days after

Easter)

Pentecost(50 Days after

Easter)

Transfiguration of Christ August 6

Dormition of the Theotokos (Kimissis) August 15

Major Feast Days

Fasting

• Regain a sense of purity• Seen as a great privilege-not a burden• Number of fast days varies from year to

year but usually makes up about half the year dedicated to fasting.

• Almsgiving, giving to those in need, is especially important during periods of fasting.

Common roadside memorials to a dead family member.

Cemetery alters

Icons• Found in churches and homes.• Images of • Icons are typically paintings on

wood, often small. • Icons are often illuminated with a

candle or oil lamp • ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint

or divinity -symbolize the miracle one is seeking or for which one is offering thanks

Names

• Named after saints or martyrs.• Babies receive their name at baptism (usually around 12

months of age).• Naming pattern – first boy after father’s father. First girl

after father’s mother. Second boy – mother's father – second girl – mother’s mother.

• Days of the year dedicated to a saint or martyr. • Celebrate Name Day – more important than a birthday –

on the saint day for which you’re named.• Babies and mothers usually don’t leave house for 40 days

(“lehona”)

Greece and “Greekness”

What does it mean to be Greek?

SHARED CUSTOMS/TRADITIONS

Greek Cultural Life

Elements of Greek lifestyle

• Food

• Family

• Fun

• Customs/Traditions

• City vs. Rural Lifestyle

Greek Dancing and Music

Popular Foods and Drinks

Greek Salad

Calamari and Octopus

Moussaka

Souvlaki It is usually meat of some sort, beef, lamb, pork or

'unknown' that is on a giant vertical rotisserie. The souvlaki 'cook' slices off the meat as it becomes done and puts it on a round pita bread with lettuce, tomato, onions, and tzadziki, a cucumber-yogurt-garlic sauce In some souvlaki shops the meat is skewered

Souvlaki

• Frappe's are the lifeblood of Greek society. Made with instant Nescafe mixed with milk, water lots of sugar and ice

• Greek Coffee

Coffee

Olives

•Production of olives and olive oil is often a family affair.

•Greece is 3rd in world in olive oil production

•120,000,000 olive treesI

•Important part of Greek diet

Greek Men

Spend time in the kafenion (men's coffeehouse) or taverna

Komboloi (worry beads) beads running through his fingers

Tavli (backgammon) is the favorite game of Greek men in the kafenion and on the streets

Greek Women

• In charge of the domestic affairs of the family

• Socialize with other women

• Church functions

• Modern Greek women have opportunities for jobs outside the home

Way of Life Rural

Mountain Villages

Island Villages

About 30% of population in rural areas.

Rural craftman – shoe shop

Restaurant on the small island village on island of Spetses

Athens

• About 5 million people

• 45% of population of Greece lives in Athens

• Large population boom in 1950’s and 60’s as countries moves from agricultural to more industrial nation

• 60% of Greeks live in urban areas

Customs

Work Day

• Work usually 7-8 hours a day.

• 2:oo -5:oo PM shops close for the afternoon.

• Late night dining (9:00 PM) is common.

Way of Life Urban

Plaka-Athens

Cycladic Museum-Athens

Street scene in Athens. Notice the Chinese writing?

Street Scenes in Athens

More Street Scenes

City School

School cafeteria

Children at recess

Greece and “Greekness”

What does it mean to be Greek?

HELLENISM

• Belief in gods and goddesses that dealt with a specific aspect of life.

• Originally told in oral tradition then recorded tales in writing as poems, stories, songs, plays.

• Time of democratic ideals, philosophy, fine architecture, sculpture, arts, literature, and theater.

Roots to Ancient Greece

The Greek Empire

Alexander the Great – spread Greek ideas and culture to lands he conquered.

Keeping Hellenism Alive

• Hellenistic Societies Organizations around the world

• Newspaper and magazines, televison

• Greek Festivals

• Family ties to Greece

• Foundations to preserve and share Greek culture – Example The Onassis Foundation