Celebrate Christmas how the ancient Greeks did
07 January 2025
I bet you didn't know there was a link between the god of wine and the god who converted water to wine. The ancient Greeks commemorated the god of wine, Dionysus' birth in December, referring to him as a "divine infant" and "saviour." Dionysus' priest carried a pastoral staff, just like Jesus did according to biblical mythology.
Every year on 30 December, the ancient Greeks celebrated his rebirth by singing "carols," some of which were, allegedly, created by Homer and were exclusively sung by children in wealthy people's houses. Like Santa Claus, who 'distributes' gifts in a sleigh carried by flying reindeer, Dionysus' chariot was supposed to morph into a sleigh and horses into flying horses to celebrate their god of light.
![]() | Theofilos Perperidis There's another connection between Christmas and ancient Greece. Christmas trees originated in Germany and became emblems of joy over the birth of Jesus Christ. But ancient Greeks also utilised trees to decorate temples, representing divine sacrifices. |
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