Name Day Celebrations – Doing it the Greek way means celebrating with family

·

Xronia Polla! Happy Name Day! Vα χαιρεσαι τη γιορτη σου! However you may say it, we all know it. Name day celebrations are some of the most iconic events in the Greek calendar. The celebrations in Greece are performed the ‘Greek way’; Hundreds of family and friends, lamb on the spit, and Greek dancing.

Many Greeks who migrated to Australia brought these traditions with them. In some ways, they even ‘Australianised’ it. Lamb on the spit was partnered with sausage sizzles. Massive gatherings traditionally held at the yiayia and papou’s house became large-scale picnics by the beach. These traditions made name day celebrations in Australia feel unique, while holding on to the rich traditions of the motherland.

Yet, something has happened. A shift in the wind. Celebrations gone adrift. Name day’s aren’t being celebrated as often in Australia.

Now this may be simply a personal observation, but I don’t think it is. In fact, having spoken with multiple members of the Greek Australian community, there has been a communal agreeance that name day celebrations are ever slowly decreasing in significance. With a particular emphasis on ‘slowly’.

Cultural practices are never quick to vanish. The slowness, in fact, makes it go quicker. Unnoticed. When was the last time you attended a Tsiknopempti? Or wore a Martis bracelet during March? These were once iconic moments in the Greek calendar, yet now are mentioned and gone once the sentence is finished.

To those who may argue that COVID-19 restrictions have obviously led to the end of large-scale events this year, this trend had begun before the pandemic. When everybody carried out there day as normal. People would remember their friend or family’s name day and sent them a text or maybe even give them a call.

That’s where it ended. Somewhere along the way, Greeks in Australia have forgotten the importance of gathering together as a large family for the celebration of their namesake. And while Easter and Christmas celebrations still thrive, two ‘excuses’ for meeting up with family and friends isn’t the Greek way of living.

Sadly, I feel this has been coupled with the dying population of our parents and grandparents, the first Greek Australian migrants. The ones who would organise every Christmas, Easter, birthday and yes, name day.

I was named Peter after my pappou, Panagiotis. On August 15th, over a hundred people would turn up at my pappou’s house to celebrate Panagia, the Dormition of the Theotokos. One of the biggest name day celebrations on the Greek calendar. After his passing a few years ago, Panagia name day celebrations understandably stopped. Although, I haven’t been to any name day celebrations since his passing.

As previously mentioned, cultural celebrations die unnoticed and die slowly. Don’t let this have a similar fate.

As we recover from COVID-19 this year, next year look at your Greek calendars. Make a list of every name day in advance and plan something. Extravagance is sometimes confused as being the ‘Greek way’. It’s not. Family is. And family gatherings are key to maintaining the cultural heritage in Australia.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

GOCNSW farewells long-serving General Manager Alkis Dracopoulos

The Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales (GOCNSW) has lost an esteemed member of its team with the retirement of General Manager.

Heroic 10-man South Melbourne stun Altona Magic to keep finals dream alive

Against all odds, South Melbourne FC achieved a heroic 2–0 victory over Altona Magic over the weekend, hopeful for a spot in the playoffs.

Ambassador Duncan and Papastergiadis join Panathinaikos BC for jersey launch

EuroLeague club Panathinaikos BC AKTOR has unveiled a specially designed jersey to be worn exclusively during Pavlos Giannakopoulos.

Malaysian fugitive allegedly hiding in China using Greek alias and forged Australian passport

Fugitive Malaysian Jho Low is reportedly living in China under Greek alias Constantinos Achilles Veis using a forged Australian passport.

Greek water polo teams storm into World Championship semifinals

Greece’s men’s and women’s national water polo teams have both reached the semifinals of World Championships after quarterfinal victories.

You May Also Like

Michael Mantikos appointed Team Analyst at Subway Socceroos

Football Australia have welcomed a number of new appointments to the Subway Socceroos’ coaching and support staff.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Looking at the rights of older people

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The annual day highlights the rights of older people, whilst raising awareness to prevent abuse.

THI Australia supports Tipping Point program in 10 Greek regional schools

The Hellenic Initiative Australia today announced it will be supporting 10 regional schools across Greece through the Tipping Point program.