TRADITIONS AND SACRAMENTS
What does it take to preserve a culture,
especially an ancient culture in a technological society? Is it possible to achieve such a
mix? Is it even worth the bother? Is it
enough to learn to say "Ti kaneis?" and "Kala, efha-risto." Is it enough to learn the words to "Barba Yanni Kanata" and to know how to
greet yiayia and papoo? Is it enough to own
some Greek tapes and dance the Kala-matiano, to know the difference between sou
vlakia and a gyro, and to get to holy day ser
vices?
Many feel that if they just keep their
toes in the water, it is saturation enough. In a
society where there is a practice of "tradition
bashing," high mobility, attacks on old stan
dards and long-term spouses, it becomes a
real test to survive with your identity intact.
With today's pace and life styles any parent
can tell you what a battle it is to try to instill
virtues and traditions in a child. Dragging
your children kicking and screaming to Greek
School on Saturday when they would much
rather watch cartoons or play football takes
real determination on the part of the parents.
The Greeks are finding out, like other
cultural groups, that a certain amount of
assimilation is inevitable. We must strive to
achieve the most balanced blend possible,
wisely choosing the best from both worlds.
We have observed that one of the reasons our festivals have such huge attendance
is because we somehow represent that sense
of cohesiveness that other groups have lost,
and they flock to our doors to see how we
think and behave. For example, the wearing
of regional costumes has pretty much died out
in Greece. A showing of Greek wedding costumes in this country is an enor-mous success
among the American population. They have
great curiosity and interest in whatever is different. We must not conceal or hide behind
those traditions and practices which set us
apart, but rather delight in them.
When the new cathedral is built, the
present church will be converted into a cultural center where a library, archives, and
storage facility for costumes and artifacts is
planned.
Although modern Greek brides wear
white gowns and veils today, the brides of a century ago wore a wide variety of colors and
styles. These costumes are also a part of the
Greek heritage.
