The Children down the Plain *

Since today is, "Τα Φώτα" (/"ta Fota", literally "the Lights"), ... another "term" the Greek-Orthodox "apply" to ... "Τα Επιφάνια" (/"Ta Epifania", "Epiphany") ... the following felt ... "appropriate" ... and, a chance for me to "share" some ... of the "Greek-Orthodox Epiphanic Customs" of the day ... !!! ...




Azim

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written and composed by Manos Hadjidakis


Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο


Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
δεν μιλάν με τον καιρό
μόνο πέφτουν στα ποτάμια
για να πιάσουν τον σταυρό.

Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
κυνηγούν εναν τρελό
τον επνίγουν με τα χέρια
και τον καίνε στον γυαλό.

Έλα κόρη της σελήνης,
κόρη του αυγερινού.
Να χαρίσεις στα παιδιά μας
λίγα χάδια του ουρανού.

Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
κυνηγάνε τους αστούς
πετσοκόβουν τα κεφάλια
απο εχθρούς και απο πιστούς.

Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
κόβουν δεντρολιβανιές
και στολίζουν τα πηγάδια
για να πέσουν μεσα οι νιές.

Τα παιδιά μες τα χωράφια
κοροιδεύουν τον παπά
του φοράνε ολα τα άμφια
και το παν στην αγορά.

Έλα κόρη της σελήνης,
έλα και άναψε φωτιά.
Κοίτα τόσα παλικάρια
που κοιμούνται στη νυχτιά.

Τα παιδιά δεν έχουν μνήμη
τους προγόνους τους πουλούν
και οτι αρπάξουν δεν θα μείνει
γιατι ευθύς μελαγχολούν.

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Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
/ Ta pedia kato ston kampo
The children down the plain


Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
/ ta pedia kato ston kampo
the children down the plain
δεν μιλάν με τον καιρό
/ den milan me ton kero
do not speak with the weather ("elements")
μόνο πέφτουν στα ποτάμια
/ mono peftoun sta potamia
merely, (the children) fall into the rivers
για να πιάσουν τον σταυρό
/ ya na piasoun ton stavro
(so that the children) may "retrieve the cross"

Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
/ ta pedia kato ston kampo
the children down the plain
κυνηγούν εναν τρελό
/ kinigoun enan trello
are chasing off a "fool"
τον επνίγουν με τα χέρια
/ ton epnigoun me ta heria
(the children) are choking him with their (bare) hands
και τον καίνε στον γυαλό
/ ke ton kene ston yalo
and (the children) are burning him at the seashore

Έλα κόρη της σελήνης
/ ela kori tis selinis
(do) come, daughter of the moon
κόρη του αυγερινού
/ kori tou avyerinou
daughter of the morning star
να χαρίσεις στα παιδιά μας
/ na harisis sta pedia mas
(to) "offer" our children
λίγα χάδια του ουρανού
/ liga hadia tou ouranou
a few of the heaven's caresses

Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
/ ta pedia kato ston kampo
the children down the plain
κυνηγάνε τους αστούς
/ kinigane tous astous
are chasing the "townsmen"
πετσοκόβουν τα κεφάλια
/ petsokovoun ta kefalia
(the children) are shlashing the heads
απο εχθρούς και απο πιστούς
/ apo ehthrous ke apo pistous
of "foe" and "the faithful" (alike)

Τα παιδιά κάτω στον κάμπο
/ ta pedia kato ston kampo
the children down the plain
κόβουν δεντρολιβανιές
/ kovoun dentrolivanies
are "gathering" rosemary
και στολίζουν τα πηγάδια
/ ke stolizoun ta pigadia
and (the children) are adorning the "fountain springs"
για να πέσουν μεσα οι νιές
/ ya na pesoun mesa i nies
(so that) the "young lasses" may "plunge" (in)

Τα παιδιά μες τα χωράφια
/ ta pedia, mes ta horafia
the children, in the fields
κοροιδεύουν τον παπά
/ koroidevoun ton papa
are mocking the priest
του φοράνε ολα τα άμφια
/ tou forane ola ta amfia
(the children) dress him up with all the (sacerdotal) vestments
και το παν στην αγορά
/ ke ton pan stin agora
and take him to the market place

Έλα κόρη της σελήνης
/ ela kori tis selinis
(do) come, daughter of the moon
έλα και άναψε φωτιά
/ ela ke anapse fotia
(do) come and light up a fire
Κοίτα τόσα παλικάρια
/ kita tosa palikaria
behold (of) how many young lads
που κοιμούνται στη νυχτιά
/ pou kimounte sti nihtia
are sleeping in (the still of) the night

Τα παιδιά δεν έχουν μνήμη
/ ta pedia den ehoun mnimi
the children have no memory
τους προγόνους τους πουλούν
/ tous progonous tous pouloun
(the children) are "selling off" their ancestors
και οτι αρπάξουν δεν θα μείνει
/ ke oti arpaxoun den tha mini
and all (of that, the children) will grab hold of, nothing will last
γιατι ευθύς μελαγχολούν
/ yati efthis, melagholoun
for at once, (the children) are melancholy

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... ...

OOUUUUUFFFF !!! ... ok need some more "green tea" to ... "finish building" ... !!! ...

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... ...

... OK !!! ... some "green tea" AND ... "mouthwatering" Cypriot tangerines later ... !!! ... !!! ...

... ... ... ...


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... ... ...

As I am ... NOT entirely self- ... "proclaimed" ... the "tutor" in "here" ... LOL ...


... first, let's take a "notation" ... of the "word" ... "Τα Επιφάνια" (ta Epifania) ... "Epiphany" ... ... ...

(dya mou, ... please, your "input" here ... !!! ... ... ...) ...


"Τα Επιφάνια" ... επί + φαίνομαι ...

επί ... (epi) ... a "particle" that used "in conjuction" with relative "cases"... to mean ...

... "a location" ... "a time period" ... "in reference" ... "on occasion" ... "on purpose" ... "of consequence" ... "in relation" ...
... "directive" ... "effective" ... "multipliable" ... "assaultive" ... "additional" ... "subsequential" ...


and ... + ...


φαίνομαι ... (fenome) ... "passive verb" to mean ...

... "to be visible" ... "to be seen" ... "to be in sight" ...
... "to appear" ... "to show up" ... "to turn up" ... "to come into view" ...
... "to be forseen" ...
... "to seem" ... "to give the impression of" ... "to look" ... "to strike as" ... (even) "to sound as" ...






( OOOUUUFFF !!! ... Am I, regretting this ?!? ... ...
... NO WAY !!! ... )

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... ... ...

.. as we are "done" (LITERALLY !!! LOL) ... with the "Grammar" ...


Let us continue on with ... "History" / (slash) ... "Religious Studies" ...


"Τα Επιφάνια" ... ... ...


[Note: as it is NOT in my "nature" and of my "character", to be "exploiting" ... other " beings' " ... "compositions" ...

Please, "observe" the designated "locations" and "names" of the persons I "appropriated" from ...

Thank you ]


... " ...

In western Christian tradition, January 6 is celebrated as Epiphany.
Epiphany is the climax of the Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are usually counted from December 25th until January 5th. In most traditions, the day before Epiphany is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, the evening of which is called Twelfth Night.

(by Dennis Bratcher [www.crivoice.org] .)


JANUARY the 6th is recorded in the annals of the Christian Church as an ancient celebration of an event in the life of Jesus Christ which is considered as the beginning of His official dedication to His Divine Mission in the presence and manifestation of the Triune Christian God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This celebration is called Epiphany.

The story of Epiphany is related by the first three Evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke, from the Baptist's proclamation of the arrival of the Savior, to the baptism of Christ and to the witness of the Father and the descending of "the Spirit as a Dove .

WHEN Jesus had been baptized . . . Behold " the appearance of the Holy Trinity took place: (i) the "heaven was opened, and (ii) the Holy Spirit descended upon him (Jesus) in bodily shape with a dove, and (iii) a voice come from heaven which said, "Thou art my beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased,"

The reason that John the Baptist was "baptizing with water" was "that he (the Lamb of God) might be revealed to Israel", and John bore witness to this Divine Event, fulfilling his mission and saying, "I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

By this witness the Church treasured and established the belief that "When Thou, 0 Lord, was baptized in Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was manifested" which belief has remained as the cornerstone of the Christian Church ever since.

All believers in the past "drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ" as the Apostle Paul aptly unites the past, the present and the future in the person of Christ as the God-Man and Godhead.

(by Rev. George Mastrantonis [www.goarch.org] .)

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... ...


... μία παύση ... a pause ...


... for "a respite" ...


... ...

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Now, ... let's move on to ... "Cultural Anthropology" ... ... ... !!! ...


... " ...

The 6th of January was designated as the feast day of Epiphany because on that day was the birthday of Aeon, the patron god of Alexandria. The Gnostics had designated Christ as one of the Aeons in their elaborate system.

In the Orthodox Church, in contrast to the heretics, the celebration of Epiphany took on an elaborate appearance for two reasons: first, in opposition to the corresponding celebrations of the heretics and pagans; and, secondly, due to the meaning of the feast-day itself, as the worship of the true God of the Holy Trinity, the catechumens came to be baptized on this day

Vespers of January 5th is actually the beginning of the feast-day of the 6th of January.

ON BOTH DAYS, the 5th and 6th of January, The Service of the Blessing of the Waters on the Epiphany takes place. After the Matins and Divine Liturgy, officiated on the celebration of the Epiphany, the Priest comes forth into the center of the Nave (many times outside the Church) to the vessel with clean water.

The faithful are called to receive and to hold the Spirit and sanctification of their heart.

A heart without faith in God and The Grace, is like a desert. Now with The Spirit, the desert shall rejoice. The redeemed shall obtain song and joy in "The" companionship.

Straightway, after blessing the waters, with the sign of the Cross, the Priest immerses the sacred Cross upright in the water.

(by Rev. George Mastrantonis [www.goarch.org] .)


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This day, takes on a special meaning.

Greek-Orthodox belief says that, it was the day of the baptism of Jesus and there is a special ceremony of blessing the waters and of the vessels that ply them.

A priest hurl a large crucifix into the waters. Young men (and on increasing occasions nowadays, "lasses" likewise), brave the cold and compete to retrieve the cross. These days, the cross is generally attached to a nice, safe long chain, just in case that year's crop of divers is something less than desired.

After the diving, local fishermen bring their boats to be blessed by the priest.

Epiphany is also called the Phota or Fota, in reference to the day being a Feast of Light, and it is also the saint's day for Agia Theofana.

While the biggest observance is at Piraeus, many islands and villages offer smaller versions of the event. It is definitely still a traditional holiday, performed by Greeks for themselves, not for tourists.


(by Regula de Traci, taken from [www.gogreece.about.com] .)

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In Cyprus, the "Άγια Θεοφάνια" ("Ayia Theofania"), ... The "Sacred Emergence" ...


... is a two-day period festivity ...


On the 5th of January, "Τα Κάλαντα" ("Ta Kalanda") ... "The Carols", are celebrated ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ...

["Τα Κάλαντα" ("Ta Kalanda") ... to signify "of calendar" ...]


The priest (of a locality), will walk about "να καλαντίσει" ("na kalantissi) ... "to chant" the homes of the locale ... ... ...


There is in Cypriot Folklore, the "belief" that, on Christmas Day "emerge" ... what are called "Kalikadjari" ... tall, thin, odd looking creatures, goblins ... with "sneering", "derisive", "irreverent" mannerisms, that "scorn", "jeer" and "terrify" the people ... for the twelve days ... (Christmas to Epiphany) ... ... ...


The priest by "kalantissi", ... "proffer" ... an "exorcism", and subsequently a "blessing" ... to the "parishioners" themselves and their homes.


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... and now for the "BEST part" ...


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... ...



It is of customary practice, in the Cypriot Folklore Tradition, to "celebrate" ... (in particular to Religious Anniversaries), ... with "Sweet Delicacies" ... !!! ...


These are "Loukkoumades" and "Shamishi" ... !!! ... !!! ...


"Loukkoumades", (I am quite certain many know, as this is an Eastern Mediterranean delicacy), are "round", "sugary", "syrupy" treats ...

"Shamishi" on the other hand, are "square", "pie-like" delights ... with a "cream-filling" made out of "semolina" ...



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... ...


On the 6th of January, Cypriot Customs entail the following ...


People, take some "Loukoumades" and "sausages" (Cypriot sausages are "marinated", "infused" with ... (what else) Wine !!! LOL), ... and standing outside in the courtyards of their homes ... "fling" these on top of their homes' roof ... "proclaiming" ...

"... Titsin, titsi loukaniko
masheri mavromaniko
na fan i kalikadjari
dje posson mas
na fioussi ..."


"... tiny, tiny (pieces of) sausages
black-handled knife
the "kalikadjari" to eat
and from our homes
to leave ..."



Also, the children, during this day are to be quite "mischievous" ...

and whenever they meet an adult (more likely their adult relatives) ... "profess" ...

"... Kalimera dje ta Fota
dje tin "pouloustrena 'mprota ..."


"... Good morning and "Feast of Light" (to you)
and "gratuities" up-front ..."


Adults that do not "comply" ... or, if the children are "dissatisfied" with their "prizes" ... it was accustomed to "receive" ... discontent "taunting", as "punishment" ... !!! ... !!! ...

OOUUUCH !!!




This "journey" of "Greek-Orthodox Epiphany", is now "concluding" with yet an other "smile" ... !!! ...




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Jesus, an entire lection in here!!

Originally Posted by omorfi

Jesus, an entire lection in here!!

... ...


and the "BEST part" ... is not ... "finished" yet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hahahahaha


HOW ARE YOU όμορφη μου κόρη Αλεξάνδρα ?!? ... !!! ... !!!! ...



.

hahaha...

I'm tired, so I'm off for a "nap" ...

Take care!

Originally Posted by omorfi

hahaha...

I'm tired, so I'm off for a "nap" ...

Take care!

... ...


søte drøm, omorfi mou


P.S.:
...by the way, ... "this" is not simply a "lection" ... it is also, ... an "offering" ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ...




Azim

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Καλησπέρα!!
I was away all day long and now I see there is no one around here anymore!

Azim mou, you have indeed offered me the occasion to notice the small differences in the orthodox approach of today's "holy day". Most of the customs are the same( that comes with the religious part, of course) the priest coming to "chant" the houses(they are doing this in big cities, too, not only in villages. Our priest came a few days ago), the ritual with the "chanting" the water outside the church, with the cross thrown in the water and brought back by brave men, with the "chanting" of the boats( we are by the sea too, so we have this ritual as well).
What differs is the concept of "12 days of Christmas" and all associated with it.
Our carold(kalanta) are to be sang on 24th of December(the Christmas eve) and on St. Vasile(Basilis) day on the 1st of January. A lot of semnifications with these carols, too. But the idea it's the same: children sing, adults pay!!!

Here, as well, The Epiphany is considered the holiest of holy days(although Easter is commonly agreed to be THE holy day).
We have no traditions involving sweets, but we could "import" them, I don't mind! LOL!

Thank you again for taking the time to write all these down. For me, as an Orthodox, was most interesting. I'm sure that for others(sharing different denominations) it was a good lesson on Orthodoxism.

Originally Posted by dya

Καλησπέρα!!
I was away all day long and now I see there is no one around here anymore!

Azim mou, you have indeed offered me the occasion to notice the small differences in the orthodox approach of today's "holy day". Most of the customs are the same( that comes with the religious part, of course) the priest coming to "chant" the houses(they are doing this in big cities, too, not only in villages. Our priest came a few days ago), the ritual with the "chanting" the water outside the church, with the cross thrown in the water and brought back by brave men, with the "chanting" of the boats( we are by the sea too, so we have this ritual as well).
What differs is the concept of "12 days of Christmas" and all associated with it.
Our carold(kalanta) are to be sang on 24th of December(the Christmas eve) and on St. Vasile(Basilis) day on the 1st of January. A lot of semnifications with these carols, too. But the idea it's the same: children sing, adults pay!!!

Here, as well, The Epiphany is considered the holiest of holy days(although Easter is commonly agreed to be THE holy day).
We have no traditions involving sweets, but we could "import" them, I don't mind! LOL!

Thank you again for taking the time to write all these down. For me, as an Orthodox, was most interesting. I'm sure that for others(sharing different denominations) it was a good lesson on Orthodoxism.

... ...


OOOOHHHH !!! ... re dya mou, re ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ...

Thank you for your "endearing" ... "input" ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ...


I am ever so pleased, these "wonder-full" ... "fortunes" ... are "shared" by SO many people ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ...

You have made a very "joy-full" ... "being" ... out of me !!! ... !!!


You are "adorable", dya mou ... !!! ...


... and as for the "delicacies con-verse-ation" ... ... ...

... my "culture" ... "rejoices" in "sharing" ... !!! ... !!! ...





Azim

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Originally Posted by azimut

OOOOHHHH !!! ... re dya mou, re ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ...

Thank you for your "endearing" ... "input" ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ...


I am ever so pleased, these "wonder-full" ... "fortunes" ... are "shared" by SO many people ... !!! ... !!! ... !!! ...

You have made a very "joy-full" ... "being" ... out of me !!! ... !!!


You are "adorable", dya mou ... !!! ...


... and as for the "delicacies con-verse-ation" ... ... ...

... my "culture" ... "rejoices" in "sharing" ... !!! ... !!! ...


Azim

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Same religion, same beliefs, same traditions, minor differences due to location more than faith.

So, send me those sweets now, will you!? SHARE!!! LOL!

Originally Posted by dya

Same religion, same beliefs, same traditions, minor differences due to location more than faith.

So, send me those sweets now, will you!? SHARE!!! LOL!

... ...

hahahahahahahahahahaha


I seem to have "put my foot in my mouth" ... haven't I ?!!!!! ... LOL LOL LOL


I will see what I can do ... ... ... !!! ... ... ...




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