Greece

Inscribed in 2024 (19.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The Feast of Our Lady is an important festivity in Greek Orthodox Christianity that is observed on 21 November. The night before the event, an evensong ceremony takes place in a seventeenth-century chapel that is located within the archaeological site of Eleusis. Believers bring a specially prepared sweet bread, called ‘artos’ (bread), to be blessed and distributed to the participants. They also bring another bread, called ‘prosforo’ (offering), to be shared during the next day’s Holy Communion. Other contributions include wine and olive oil. Blessing the three symbolic staples (wheat, olive oil and wine) and mentioning the names of the people feature predominantly in the ritual. Believers give the priest the names of their loved ones (living or dead), to be mentioned during the evening service. The priest prays for the health and salvation of the people of the community, and for a bountiful harvest. Although the priest is always a man, those who chant the liturgical texts include people of all genders. The related knowledge and skills are transmitted through participation in the festivity from a young age. Cultural and civil society organizations, schools and local authorities also contribute to the transmission of the practice.