Christmas rituals in Greece

1. Christmas “tree”
Christmas “boat”
In Greek tradition

2. • The Christmas tree is the most widespread
custom in the world and the decoration is
identified with the spirit of the season. Since
antiquity there was in all religions tradition of
decorated trees or tree parts.

3. The Christmas tree in Greece
• The custom of the Christmas tree was brought to our country by the
Bavarians and the first decorated tree in Greece appeared in Othon’s
Palace in 1833.
• Forerunner of the Christmas tree in Greece was the traditional
Christoxylo (wood of Christ) or Dodekameritis or Skarkanzalos mainly
in the villages of Northern Greece. Every Christmas they put a big
stump wild cherry, pine and olive tree in the fireplace which would
burn throughout the 12-day feast of Christmas to Epiphany. According
to tradition it brings good fortune and mainly protects the house from
the goblins coming from chimneys and steal or do damage to the
household.
• Undoubtedly the Christmas tree is one of the most beautiful traditions
and every year large and small, natural or artificial trees decorate a
corner of our house and give joy to young and old.

4. As a country of the Sea, Greece had the
custom of adornment of a boat
• The ship symbolizes the new tack of man in life, after the birth
of Christ. Custom declined with time, in front of this of
Christmas tree, but no one seems to have it forgotten.
• The Greek traditional boat is a tradition of the old times of
our country that children with love, joy and creative mind
built their games. It was, however, a kind of honor and
welcome to seafarers, who were returning from their travels.
• Before 50 years, ie until the first postwar decade, we met the
boat in many Greek homes and into the hands of children
who sang carols. Today, this tradition tends to disappear, as it
has been replaced by the outlandish Christmas fir.

5. • However, in the early 1970s, it has been intensively discussed
in our country about the removal issue of the Christmas tree
and its replacement with the boat, as it combines tradition
and ecological consciousness. The question of course was not
as straightforward as presented irrefutable arguments from
both sides, with references to ecological issues and
suggestions from experts on the use of plants and trees,
except fir.

6. • We should note that the Christmas tree has displaced the
traditional boat that adorned the Greeks days of Christmas.
• In some areas (especially on islands) still adorn "boats", and in
recent years it’s been made a commendable effort of some of
the country's municipalities, to restore the custom in its
original form, adorning their squares boats instead of trees.
• However, the branch always entered the Greek house during
the twelve days from Christmas to the Epiphany, to bring
hope for a new flowering, for a better future.
In the special, brilliant decoration of
festive atmosphere of days Christmas
and New Year, both the traditional boat
and the exotic laden tree bring in every
home a distinct aroma.

7. Merry Christmas!