Merry Christmas!
Happy Christmas to all out there!
Over the past few years, I have really begun to appreciate this time of year as a time of reaching out and giving. Perhaps this is as a result of marrying someone from a Christian background.
This year, for the first time in many many years, Diana and I went to a church in Oxford for a Christmas service and carols. Unfortunately, we realised afterwards this was a very evangelical church, and the carols were not as traditional as I would have hoped. Instead, there was a pop-style Christian band, with lots of songs I had not heard before. Nevertheless it was a beautiful atmosphere.
This Christmas, Diana's parents have come to visit from Bulgaria, as well as her sister and brother-in-law from London, so we have a very full house. Despite the level of noise and chaos going up about 300%, it has been nice to have family around and a full house again.
Bulgarians follow the Orthodox tradition, so Christmas is actually celebrated on the 24th, as opposed to the 25th, and the main Christmas meal does not consist of any meat. Instead the meal consists of a variety of beans, stuffed cabbages, a very traditional Bulgarian 'pastry' with leeks called Banitsa, as well as fruit. In addition to this, there is a special home-made bread called a 'pogacha', with a coin in it. Whoever gets the coin will have luck the following year, or at least that is the tradition. In over seven years, I have yet to get the coin :(.
Usually, once we all gather round the table, Diana's mother says a prayer. This used to be the Lord's Prayer, in Russian, but gradually evolved into a Baha'i prayer. After this, the pogacha is cut into pieces and shared out, with everyone eagerly looking to see if they get the coin(!). Then the parents give their blessings to their children for the coming year, interlaced with pretty direct hints about their hopes to see grandchildren at the table by the following year! In the beginning these used to be very subtle hints, but over the years they have given up all hope of subtlety...still to no avail...
Finally, after all this, we eat!
Later in the evening, presents are shared. Afterwards, I usually make myself scarce if the conversation descends to more 'Bulgarian' matters, as happened last night!
Traditionally Christmas Day in Bulgaria is spent visiting family and eating fresh Baklava. Instead of visiting family, Diana and I spent the day visiting friends at the Intensive Ruhi Training taking place in Abingdon this week. We have also tasted some lovely home-made Baklava!
Apparently tonight we will be treated to another Bulgarian traditional Christmas meal, this time courtesy of my brother-in-law.
Over the past few years, I have really begun to appreciate this time of year as a time of reaching out and giving. Perhaps this is as a result of marrying someone from a Christian background.
This year, for the first time in many many years, Diana and I went to a church in Oxford for a Christmas service and carols. Unfortunately, we realised afterwards this was a very evangelical church, and the carols were not as traditional as I would have hoped. Instead, there was a pop-style Christian band, with lots of songs I had not heard before. Nevertheless it was a beautiful atmosphere.
This Christmas, Diana's parents have come to visit from Bulgaria, as well as her sister and brother-in-law from London, so we have a very full house. Despite the level of noise and chaos going up about 300%, it has been nice to have family around and a full house again.
Bulgarians follow the Orthodox tradition, so Christmas is actually celebrated on the 24th, as opposed to the 25th, and the main Christmas meal does not consist of any meat. Instead the meal consists of a variety of beans, stuffed cabbages, a very traditional Bulgarian 'pastry' with leeks called Banitsa, as well as fruit. In addition to this, there is a special home-made bread called a 'pogacha', with a coin in it. Whoever gets the coin will have luck the following year, or at least that is the tradition. In over seven years, I have yet to get the coin :(.
Usually, once we all gather round the table, Diana's mother says a prayer. This used to be the Lord's Prayer, in Russian, but gradually evolved into a Baha'i prayer. After this, the pogacha is cut into pieces and shared out, with everyone eagerly looking to see if they get the coin(!). Then the parents give their blessings to their children for the coming year, interlaced with pretty direct hints about their hopes to see grandchildren at the table by the following year! In the beginning these used to be very subtle hints, but over the years they have given up all hope of subtlety...still to no avail...
Finally, after all this, we eat!
Later in the evening, presents are shared. Afterwards, I usually make myself scarce if the conversation descends to more 'Bulgarian' matters, as happened last night!
Traditionally Christmas Day in Bulgaria is spent visiting family and eating fresh Baklava. Instead of visiting family, Diana and I spent the day visiting friends at the Intensive Ruhi Training taking place in Abingdon this week. We have also tasted some lovely home-made Baklava!
Apparently tonight we will be treated to another Bulgarian traditional Christmas meal, this time courtesy of my brother-in-law.
posted by Anonymous | 04:04
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