Lifestyle

The so-called “middle finger” may finally be another invention of the ancient Greeks. It was about 2,500 years ago that the “naughty” Greeks developed a phallic gesture to insult, mock and literally push each other to the edge. If you’ve ever done the middle finger gesture then you have something …

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Greeks celebrated the Epiphany on January 6 with the suitable glory and the tradition dictating that people jump in the cold water to catch the Holy Cross and be blessed for the rest of the year. It is a custom that assigned priest throws the Cross into the sea, in …

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Bakers in Peristeri, suburb of western Athens, created the largest New Year’s cake, Vasilopita: 78 meter long, 9 tons heavy and with 200 lucky coins! in a unique event, the Guild of Bakers of Athens, Suburbs & Surroundings (SAAPP) and the Municipality of Peristeri, created the biggest Vasilopita in the …

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A Greek Orthodox priest in Athens was suspended and banned from practicing sacraments because he had two girls to serve in the altar in his church. A move that caused outrage in conservative circles. It was the very first time that a priest of the Archdiocese of Athens placed two …

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Rare pictures from the everyday life of people in Greece in 1950-1965, in hard economical times after the WWII and the Civil War and before the military  dictatorship. The Civil War was just over. The society is in a chaotic situation, trying to organize their lives, bring back normality. The …

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Forget all you know about the expensive in vitro fertilization. women on the island of Crete flock to a specific church and eat the wick from the oil lamp burning in front of the icon… According to media, as every year this time hundreds of women flock to the church …

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A rare Greek icon named “Axion Esti” from the monks community of Mt. Athos was flown to Athens on Wednesday for pilgrimage at the Cathedral in the Greek capital. The icon, which rarely leaves Mt Athos, was welcomed with honors accorded a head of state. Ιt was reportedly Archbiship Hieronymos …

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The annual flower show in Kifissia suburb of northern Athens opened its gates on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The 69th show focuses on Greek gardens. More than 2,000 species of Greek and foreign flora will be on display in 86 stands in the Dimitris Zomopoulos Park until May 14th. Opening …

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As Greeks are getting ready to flock to the churches five minutes before Holy Saturday midnight, KTG wants to wish to all its readers Happy Easter and Hronia Polla! But also to make a short review of the Greek Easter customs. I know that many of KGT readers are not …

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In an atmosphere of religious devoutness and magnificence, the Holy Fire marking Jesus Resurrection appeared again in the Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Great Saturday. Crowds of people, even though much less than in previous years due to Israeli restrictions, had gathered in the church to get the …

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When in Greece… exchange Easter wishes like a Greek! Easter wishes are a bit complicated and depend on whether they are exchanged before or after Jesus Resurrection. In the average Greeks wish Καλό Πάσχα! Kalo Pascha! Happy Easter! from Palm Sunday until Good Wednesday or Good Thursday. From Good Thursday …

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The holiday working hours for shops and stores during the period leading up to Orthodox Easter starts on Thursday, April 6. According to the trade association of Athens the proposed working hours for Athens’ stores during the Easter holiday season, is as follows: Thursday 6 April: 09:00-21:00 Friday 7 April: …

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The Culture Ministry has submitted a request to UNESCO to inscribe a traditional Greek custom blessing the bounty of the land on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, it announced on Thursday. Polysporia is an ancient custom practiced across many parts of the country until the very late 19th century, with …

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After three years of break due to the pandemic, the famous Carnival of Patras returned to full glory and vibrant pulse with thousands of carnivalists and even more visitors. 139 crews with over 50,000 people and impressive wagons participated in the grand parade on Sunday that lasted over five hours. …

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The world’s largest kontosouvli, a giant souvlaki, has become a tradition for Amfikleia, central Greece. The large spicy souvlaki made of pork or other meats is traditionally slow roasted on a rod over an open charcoal pit. this year in Amfikleia they surpassed themselves roasting a 130-meters long kontosouvli. The …

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Sunshine and mild temperatures are the perfect offer of ancient gods for the revival of the traditional Tsiknopempti, where the whole Greece turns into a huge grill. Whether in the balcony, the garden, the small yard or on the rooftop, whether on pedestrian streets or pavements, charcoal is hot in …

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Over the next three months the Health Ministry will seek to close the loopholes in the anti-smoking legislation that allow closed areas to be characterized as open-air, thus allowing people to smoke. Smoking of cigarettes will be expressly banned in cafes, bars, restaurants etc that are closed with canopies, plastic …

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A huge New Year’s cake weighing over five tons, consisting of 50,000 pieces and containing 200 lucky coins was set up on the main street of Peristeri suburb of western Athens on December 30, 2022. The amazing Vasilopita may enter the Guiness Book of Records. The cake was created by …

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A Happy and Healthy New Year 2023 to all KTG readers around the world. Never give up fighting for what’s important and top priority for you. Καλή Χρονιά! Ευτυχισμένο το 2023! 2022 was tough and therefore …things can always get better! PS Ops! Almost forgot! And World Peace!

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Chubby, with a red uniform, and a shaky laugh, that’s how our children have learned that Santa Claus is. But our “Santa”, the Greek Orthodox Agios Vassilis, is different and comes with his presents in the night of January 1. Our “Santa” comes from Caesaria in central Asia Minor where …

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