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Have you ever wondered why the Xmas is used instead of Christmas?
Origin.
This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. You will notice the letters XC on icons displaying Christ which represent his name. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ’s name. “X” in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word, Xmas.
Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ’s name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook “Xmas” as a sign of disrespect.
Other traditions.
Another tradition that can be confusing in modern Greece is whether to decorate a Tree or a boat (karavi).
The Christmas tree was not a common sight within Greece in fact the decoration of a boat would welcome the sailors home during the festive season, especially around the islands. Don’t forget Greeks have been seafarers for thousands of years and even today they are one of the world’s mightiest in shipping.
Their patron Saint being none other than Saint Nicholas himself, hence celebrations starting on the 6th of December and ports around Greece being decorated in style to honour his name. Zakynthos is no exception, our port with its Christmas lights and a boat as their symbol of good cheer and prosperity.
The Christmas boats in the past, were made of paper or wood, decorated with small, colourful lamps and a few, simple ornaments. They are usually placed near the outer door or by the fire and the bow should always point to the interior of the house to encourage good luck, with golden objects or coins placed in it. The ship symbolizes a full load of riches reaching one’s home.
European influence.
The boat had been replaced by the European idea, the Christmas tree, when it entered Greece in the luggage of the country’s first king, Otto of Bavaria, who ascended to the throne in 1833 but the tree did not become popular in Greek homes before the 1940s. Most Greeks regard the Christmas tree as a foreign tradition and over the last few years we are seeing the return of the boat alongside the Christmas tree.
Somehow the traditions must have been combined somewhere along the centuries as Greeks use of decorated greenery and branches around New Year is recorded as far back as in Greek antiquity, as it is in other pre-Christian cultures.
Tree branches and green bushes called “Christwood” always had a place in Christian households during the medieval Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Whether its enemies like it or not, it is certain that the Christmas tree existed in the Byzantine Empire, and will continue to be a symbol of Christmas along with the rich traditions Greeks hold for their boat.
