wedding crowns

burning of judas

There is a custom for every season in Leka. On the evening of June 23rd is the eve of the St. John Kledonas celebration. Children from the village gather dry, broken branches from the trees. Once it is dark, throughout the neighbourhoods, bonfires are lit from these branches. The children jump through the fire chanting and dancing. The wreaths woven with flowers collected May 1st are traditionally burned this evening.

As in the rest of Greece, the Eves of Christmas, New Years and Epiphany are special here too with groups of children singing carols throughout the neighbourhoods, house to house. They are treated to homemade sweets and some spending money. When Lent begins, the children gather to collect branches and pile them in the church yard. The pile gets higher and higher until enough wood is collected to burn Judah, who betrayed Christ. An image of Judah is hung on top of the burning pile of wood. At midnight, the priest chants Christ has risen "Christos Anesti" and Judah is burned while fireworks light up the sky.

Wedding traditions are interesting and similar throughout Samos island...but are normally observed in the villages today. The week prior to the wedding is the week of preparation. Single women decorate the bride & groom's home but the wedding bed is the main attraction. It is sprinkled with rice and koufetes (sugar-coated almonds). Money is also thrown for the couple. The gathering usually takes place on Thursday with friends & family. A baby, more often a boy, is gently thrown on the bed to wish the couple a fertile life blessed with children. A round cake is prepared and placed on the heads of the couple and cut in pieces to be shared with the rest. Honey is sprinkled on the couple's faces representing a sweet life. On the day of the wedding, a band of musicians escort the couple and the congregation to the church. A wonderful feast follows the ceremony with lots of song and dance.