Today is my husband's name day, which means that the godforsaken phone (both cell and landline) have not stopped ringing all damn day. We are one phone call away from me flinging the damn thing off the balcony.
Name days seems to be more important than birthdays here, which I find weird, because really, is the saint's day that much more important than the day you drew your first breath? Besides, at my age, birthdays mean that I survived a long ass time in this crazy world. Now THAT is something to celebrate.
Most people will say I am just bitter because my name is too heathen-like to share it with a saint, and thus, I have no name day. Well, it doesn't mean much, except that I don't have to answer the telephone all day. That is bad enough on my birthday.
Still, Χρόνια Πολλά to all the Athanasios' and Athanasia's out there.
8 comments:
Χρόνια Πολλά Thanos. Enjoy. Will we be hearing more from you in the near future?
Though I have no experience with "name days", I can share your antipathy toward phones. That's why I refuse to get a cell phone. I tell folks that once the cats learn to dial, then I might get one.
Well happy name day to the husband. I'm pretty sure tomorrow is Mel-day isn't it?
ZARDOZ SAYS:
Right, happy nameday for THANOS
FOR you (i havent got your name yet, its "melusina" right?)
I think the smart greek orthodox
church would find a day for ya,
with some of the several hundred of saints they celebrate,
(the patriarchy of the holy lands
even have a 'saint muhammed"
NO i am not kidding.
And if all else fails , their is always all saints day.
They (the church) always had a solution to incorporate more ,
and the people of greece historically (i assume) being friendly and having a medium of coming together embraced this type of name day festivities, incorporating it , in their everyday lives, and in the national identity, its something between birthdays ,hoedowns,and bowling nights. ITs not bad if youlive it, can be quite expensive though.
..I THINK i'd rather be irish
ona saint (st. patrick).
probably less expensive,
AND probably thats why there are more tavernas than pubs,
the ancient greek custom of 'symposiasmos'.
sorry to rant on .
---------------------zardoz
I HATE names' days. I agree with you that birthdays are much more "unique" and meaningful. My name is Athena. Ancient Greek goddesses' and gods' names were a no-no to the Greek Orthodox Church. So, they made a "special martyr's" day (Sept.1st) where they crammed all the ancient gal names (Athenas, Aphrodites etc) together. I refuse to "celebrate" my unpopular name day, because frankly it means nothing to me. My husband doesn't have a church approved name either. So, we are scot free!
Mostly I hate that there are social repurcussions if you dont remember someone's Name Day. "You forgot me", "You could have called"... etc. It's maddening! You call them up on their birthday and they shrug their shoulders: "It's just my birthday!". Aaaaargh!
:-)
However, I adhere to the social rules here in Greece. So Xronia Polla to your husband!
:-D
P.S. Thank you for visiting my blog. It gave me the chance to discover yours!
I'll be back (hope that doesn't sound too Arnold-y...)
Oh yeah, you forgot my name day last month! But then again I'm a day late sending my wishes so there you go!
Although how anyone can hate a phone is beyond me. Remember... it's good to talk!
DD, Thanos has been too busy for much lately. Ah, well.
st. caffeine, the only use for a cell phone is if you are in an accident. But sheesh, we can all live without people getting in touch with us every damn minute! At least someone agrees with me!
hobbes, EVERY day is Mel-Day!!
zardoz, I feel left out just a bit, only because I want to reap the benefits of an extra holiday where I get gifts. It is only greed on my part. ;)
Ah, Flubberwinkle, I didn't know that about the names of ancient gods and goddesses being a no-no for the Orthodox church. That seems so weird, what, do they find it a threat, or something? =p And there seems to be an awful lot of Greeks who share your name, I see a few Dionysus' too. That is too bad. So I guess if you had such a name you couldn't be a saint, huh?
I know when my in-laws' birthdays are, I can't remember their name days.
Ellas, I only know the name day for Athanasios/Athanasia. I don't know Niko (that is your name, right?). I guess eventually I'll just come to know all the more popular name days, but it seems like too much info in my head right now. So Χρόνια Πολλά to you a bit late. =p And really, Thanos had so many calls all he did ALL night was answer the damn phone! That is just way too much. =p
The thing about name days, is that you don't have to remember them, and they give you an excuse to keep contact with people on the "outer friend" circle.
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