Christmas

CHRISTMAS IN ...

Our religions

Catholic Christians
in Spain

The majority of population is Catholic Christian but there also other religions as Muslim, Protestant or Jews.

Orthodox in Greece

Historically, the term Greek Orthodox has also been used to describe all Eastern Orthodox Churches, since "Greek" in "Greek Orthodox" can refer to the Greek heritage of theByzantine Empire

Muslim in Turkey

Islam is the largest religion of Turkey. Around 99.8% percent of the population is registered as Muslim

Lutheranism in Finland

The Evangelical Lutheran Church is Finland's largest religious body. As of the end of 2010, 78.2% of the Finns were members of the church a decrease of 1.7% from the previous year

Catholicism in France

Roman Catholicism, the religion of a majority of French people, is no longer considered a state religion. Major religions in France include the Catholic Church, various Protestant churches, Judaism, Russian Orthodoxy, and Armenian Christianity, Islam amongst others, making it a multiconfessional country

Our traditions

The three Magis in Spain

In Manises and in Spain, it is not Noël Dad who brig us presents but they are The Three Magis in 6th of January. Spanish children receive gifts on 6th of January by the Three Wise Men. On the previous evening, they leave their shoes outside and fill them with straw or barley and carrots for their camels and horses and find that it is gone by the morning and are replaced by presents for them instead. Shoes may be kept in doorways, windowsills or balconies, where the Wise Men can find them easily.

Kallikantzaros in Greece

It is believed that Kallikantzaroi stay underground sawing the World tree, so that it will collapse, along with Earth.However, when they are about to saw the final part, Christmas dawns and they are able to come to the surface. They forget the Tree and come to bring trouble to mortals.

Finally, on the Epiphany (6 January), the sun starts moving again, and they must go underground again to continue their sawing.

St. Nicholas, Patara inTurkey

It is believed that St. Nicholas was born in Patara, Turkey, and that he was a famous bishop who was very kind to children. His birthday is celebrated every year with a three-day festival that continues till Christmas. The Christmas feast is one of the most important events of the celebration. Rice and rice based items are served at the feast. It is said that the Christmas Eve in Turkey is incomplete without a game of Lotto, which is a traditional game of the Turks. Also, people buy lottery as they believe that Christmas brings boat-loads of luck with it.

Santa Claus in Finland

Christmas gifts may be given out before or after the dinner. The children do not hang up stockings, but Santa Claus comes in person, often accompanied by as many as half a dozen Christmas elves to distribute the presents.

Pere Noël in France

Children leave their shoes or wooden clogs called sabots in the hearth for the Christ Child or Pere Noel to fill. In the north of France, children are given gifts on December 6, which is St. Nicholas' Day, instead of Christmas Day. The adults give each others presents on New Year's Day