Join the festive tradition and learn Greek New Year’s Kalanda

·

On New Year’s Eve in Greece the kalanda tradition continues to reign supreme.

Children go from door-to-door singing carols in order to wish people “Καλή Χρονιά” (Happy New Year) and are rewarded with sweets or coins. This is a custom dating back to Byzantine times.

The carols also differ from region to region, island to island, village to village, although the central motifs remain the same: wishes for love, peace, health, joy and wealth.

To help you join in with the festive tradition, The Greek Herald shares the lyrics to its favourite carol: Αρχιμηνιά κι Αρχιχρονιά.

Greek Lyrics:

Αρχιμηνιά κι Αρχιχρονιά
ψηλή μου δεντρολιβανιά
κι αρχή— κι αρχή καλός μας χρόνος
εκκλησιά με τ’ άγιο θρόνος.

Αρχή που βγήκε ο Χριστός
άγιος και Πνευματικός,
στη γη— στη γη να περπατήσει
και να μας καλοκαρδίσει.

Αγιος Βασίλης έρχεται,
και δεν μας καταδέχεται,
από— από την Καισαρεία,
συ’ σαι αρχόντισσα κυρία.

Βαστά εικόνα και χαρτί
ζαχαροπλάστη, ζυμωτή
χαρτί— χαρτί και καλαμάρι
δες και με-δες και με το παλικάρι.

Το καλαμάρι έγραφε,
τη μοίρα του την έλεγε
και το— και το χαρτί ομίλει
Άγιε μου- άγιε μου καλέ Βασίλη.

Κάτσε να φας κάτσε να πιείς
Κάτσε τον πόνο σου να πεις
κάτσε, κάτσε να τραγουδήσεις
Και να μας— και να μας καλοκαρδήσεις

Pronunciation:

Archiminiá ki archichroniá
psilí mou dhendrolivaniá
ki archí kalós mas chrónos
ekklisiá me t’ áyio thrónos.

Archí pou vyíke o christós
áyios ke pneumatikós,
sti yi na perpatísi
ke na mas kalokardhísi.

Ayios vasílis érchete,
ke dhen mas katadhéchete,
apó tin kesaría,
si’ se archóntisa kiría.

Vastá ikóna ke chartí
zacharokárno, zymotí
chartí ke kalamári
dhes ke me-dhes ke me to palikári.

To kalamári éghrafe,
ti míra tou tin éleye
ke to chartí-ke to chartí omíli
áyie mou-áyie mou kalé vasíli.

kátse na fas kátse na pis
kátse ton póno sou na pis
kátse na traghoudhísis
ke na mas kalokardhísis

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Valentine’s Day, Greek Style: Two couples reflect on love, family and tradition

This year, The Greek Herald decided to speak with two Greek Australian couples from across the nation to ask them how they met.

‘It’s Story Time’ with Sophia Amarandos: A mini dating series on finding love

Sophia Amarandos is on her very own Bridget Jones-esque quest to find love, no matter how many glasses of wine and awkward dinners it takes.

Macquarie University leads the way in Greek Language Certificate awards ceremony

Over 200 people attended the award ceremony of the Certificates of Attainment in Greek Language 2024 that took place at Macquarie University.

Taste of the Aegean: Meet the Greek foodies bringing flavour to Antipodes 2025

This year’s Antipodes Festival is celebrating Greek culture and food with 'Taste of the Aegean,' proudly supported by The Greek Herald.

Inner West Hawks FC kick off 2025 season with memorable launch event

The Inner West Hawks FC officially launched their 2025 season with a vibrant celebration at Club Five Dock RSL on Wednesday, February 12.

You May Also Like

Peta Trimis leads CommBank Young Matildas to winning start at U-20 Asian Cup

Peta Trimis led the CommBank Young Matildas to a resilient 2-1 over Korea Republic at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024.

John Poulos jailed for 42 years for femicide of Colombian DJ

John Poulos has been sentenced to more than 42 years in prison after he was found guilty of the femicide of a Colombian DJ.

Oakleigh Grammar hosts 2023 National Schools Event

Greek Orthodox Schools from around the country descended on host school Oakleigh Grammar for the 2023 National Schools Event (GOAANSE).