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The 17th of February, 2019 is that time of year where most Zakynthians will say “we’ve entered the triodion” .
What exactly is the triodion?
Most of us that are not aware of what triodion means, a quick translation we would say ‘Carnival Period’.
However, this period refers to the Orthodox liturgical book that contains the variable portions of the Liturgy and other services for a particular period of the Orthodox ecclesiastical calendar. It begins on the fourth Sunday before the Great Lent, the Sunday of the Prodigal, and ends on Saturday of the Holy Week.Triodion is also called the period between the Sunday of the Prodigal and Easter. The name derives from the fact that during the season the Canons contain only three odes instead of the usual nine. The canon is a series of nine hymns, ‘odes’ used at the Orthros (Matins). The nine odes vary so as to correspond with the theme of the particular feast. The introduction of canons is ascribed to St. Andrew of Crete. Other famous authors of Canons are Melodos, St. John Damascus, and St. Theodore the Studion.
In Zakynthos our roots are based on the Venetian carnival traditions in which I will be enlightening you all on those traditions soon. For now lets just happy Carnival, as soon the events around Zakynthos will start and that will be noted on Tsiknopempti or as we know in our language BBQ Thursday.
