η ημέρα των Ευχαριστιών

Την τελευταία Πέμπτη του Νοεμβρίου, κάθε χρόνο, γιορτάζουμε στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες την ημέρα των Ευχαριστιών. Μαζευόμαστε στα σπίτια μας με συγγενείς και με φίλους να ευχαριστήσουμε τον Θεό για όλα τα καλά που μας δίνει.

Christmas song for Kindergarten

ΖΗΤΩ Η 28Η ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΥ 1940!!

Projects and ideas for OXI Day

OXI Day pictures from around our school

Images from World War II posters and photographs from the internet printed out and laminated to decorate the bulletin board on the way into school.

Project completed by Kindergarten and Pre-School students of the Afternoon school.

Bulletin board with project completed by 1st graders of the Day school outside the Greek rooms.

Thank you to all the Kindergarten bloggers from Greece for the wonderful ideas for OXI Day. What a blessing to be able to share resources and ideas across the world to benefit our children.

For more OXI Day ideas, take a look at my favorite blog list to see what teachers in Greece are doing to teach the new generation about Greece's heroism and role in

World War II.

ΖΗΤΩ Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ!!

Pictures from my other Greek School will be posted tomorrow.

Σ΄αγαπώ μανούλα-- I love you Mommy!!

We had so much fun making these Mother's Day projects at Greek School tonight. The girls especially liked learning princess vocabulary like βασίλισσα, στέμμα, κοσμήματα and more.

Thank you to the bloggers at Στο τελευταίο θρανίο της Πάτρας for the crown template. The poem on the reverse side is by Γιώργη Κρόκου called "Μανούλα" from the book Ανθολογία Σχολικών Ποιηματών και Τραγουδιών

¨Ηρθε ο Λάζαρος, ήρθαν τα Βάγια... Saturday of Lazarus

Coloring page of the Raising of Lazarus

Icon of the Raising of Lazarus

Lazaraki cookie

Lazarus dolls, picture can be found here

Ήρθε ο Λάζαρος ήρθαν τα Βάγια,ήρθε των Βαγιών η εβδομάδα.Ξύπνα Λάζαρε και μην κοιμάσαι,ήρθε η μέρα σου και η χαρά σου.
Πού ήσουν Λάζαρε; Πού ήσουν κρυμμένος;Κάτω στους νεκρούς στους πεθαμένους.Δε μου φέρνετε, λίγο νεράκι,που το στόμα μου πικρό φαρμάκι.Δε μου φέρνετε λίγο λεμόνι.που το στόμα μου, σαν περιβόλι.
Ήρθε ο Λάζαρος, ήρθαν τα Βάγια,ήρθε η Κυριακή που τρων’ τα ψάρια.Bάγια, Bάγια και Bαγιώ.τρώνε ψάρι και κολιό.Και την άλλη Κυριακή,τρώνε το ψητό τ’ αρνί.
Ήρθε ο Λάζαρος ήρθαν τα Βάγια,ήρθε η Κυριακή που τρων’ τα ψάρια.Σήκω Λάζαρε και μην κοιμάσαι,ήρθε η μάνα σου από την πόλη,σου ‘φερε χαρτί και κομπολόι.Γράψε Θόδωρε και συ Δημήτρη,
γράψε Λεμονιά και Κυπαρίσσι.Το κοφνάκι μου θέλει αυγά,κι η τσεπούλα μου θέλει λεφτά.Βάγια, Βάγια των Βαγιών,τρώνε ψάρι και κολιόκαι την άλλη Κυριακήτρώνε το παχύ τ’ αρνί.»

On the Saturday of Lazarus, the Saturday before Holy Week, women in Greece, and of Greek heritage around the world make cookies or small loaves of bread in the shape of a person and call them "Lazarous or Lazarakia" In various areas of Greece, children make Lazarus dolls out of fabric and tie them onto a stick decorating it with flowers and go around singing the Lazarus carols (like the one in the youtube video above). Many times in return, they receive eggs to paint red for Pascha.

Lazarakia recipe from Adventures of an Orthodox Mom

Make a simple Lazarus doll out of fabric, directions here

25η Μαρτίου- Ο Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου/Annunciation

From the Orthodox Church in America,
an icon coloring page of the Annunciation

Απολυτίκιον Ευαγγελισμού

Σήμερον της σωτηρίας ημών το κεφάλαιον, και του απ αιώνος Μυστηρίου η φανέρωσις. Ο υιός του Θεού, Υιός της παρθένου γίνεται, και Γαβριήλ την χάριν ευαγγελίζεται. Διο και ημείς συν αυτώ τη Θεοτόκω βοήσωμεν . Χαίρε κεχαριτωμένη, ο Κύριος μετά σου

Κοντάκιον Ευαγγελισμού

Τη υπερμάχω στρατηγώ τα νικητήρια, ως λυτρωθείσα των δεινών ευχαριστήρια, ανα­γράφω σοι η Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε. Αλλ’ ως έχουσα το κράτος απροσμάχητον, εκ παν­τοίων με κινδύνων ελευθέρωσαν, ίνα κρά­ζω σοι, Χαίρε Νύμφη ανύμφευτε.

A nice article in Greek from the March 2010 issue of Προς τήν Νίκην that draws comparisons between the Greek National Anthem and the Kontakion of the Annunciation.

Another article from Προς τήν Νίκην in Greek explaining the icon of the Annunciation.

From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a detailed explanation in English

of the icon of the Annunciation here

Greek vocabulary words to associate with the icon:

άγγελος (angel), Θεοτόκος (Theotokos), φτερά (wings), Γαβριήλ (Gabriel), ύμνοι(hymns), εικόνα (icon), χρώματα (colors), μήνυμα (message), χαρά (joy), έκπληξη (surprise), νήμα (thread/yarn), μητέρα (mother), άκτίνες (rays), ουρανός (sky), χαρούμενη (happy), τρία άστρα (three stars),σκήπτρο (scepter).

25η Μαρτίου - Greek Independence Day

From Grafoulis, songs and other various items related to Greek Independence Day.

From mathima.gr various resources of poems, songs and skits.

From Prasini Priza, some more activities, including coloring pages and more.

From Crayola, coloring page of a flag of Greece along with a map in English.

Portraits of heroes, paintings and images from mathima.gr.

Projects from matia.gr.

From Proodosperida, Worksheets (scroll to the last few pages for some cute projects) and more here.

Some bulletin board ideas here.

Clean Monday- Lady Lent

The first Monday of Lent is called Clean Monday or Καθαρά Δευτέρα. Schools and many offices are closed in Greece this day and people leave the cities to have picnics and fly kites. The sky fills with colorful kites as people participate in this lovely tradition. That day, people eat fasting food consisting of tarama (fish roe spread), calamaria, beans, salads, olives and any other food that does not include milk, cheese, fish, meat and eggs. Many people keep this fast throughout the whole lenten period, from Clean Monday until Pascha (Easter) Sunday (as is tradition in the Orthodox Church).

Another tradition related to "Clean" Monday is lady Lent (Κυρά Σαρακοστή). The lady of the house, would (and in many cases still does) bake a bread in the shape of a lady who has seven legs (as many weeks as there are in Lent). On her forehead would be a cross, the symbol of Christianity, her hands would be folded over in prayer, and she would not have a mouth because she fasts, just like Christ did . This strange little bread was called lady Lent, or Κυρά Σαρακοστή. Once it had been baked, it would be put near the icon center in the home and every Sunday that passed during lent, a leg would be removed. This was used as a calendar to count down to Pascha. The last leg would be removed on Holy Saturday.

Every year my Greek school class constructs a Κυρά Σαρακοστή out of poster board and the children all participate in decorating her. The children also construct their own Κυρά Σαρακοστή to take home and put by their icons. This is such a charming tradition that shows us the resourcefulness of those who came before us.

We also try to get outside to fly kites on "Clean" Monday during class, but with lent being so early this year, and the weather in Chicago not cooperating, we will be making kites in class on Monday.

Καλή Σαρακοστή!

Καθαρά Δευτέρα-Κυρά Σαρακοστή

From Crayola Greek Lenten Calendar- Κυρά Σαρακοστή (in English)

From Potamitis Publishing a couple of versions of Κυρά Σαρακοστή as a lady and as a nun.

From Paidika, background information on Κυρά Σαρακοστή and Καθαρά Δευτέρα

From Χριστιανική γωνιά, make a Κυρά Σαρακοστή our of dough here.

From Matia, some more background information on Καθαρά Δευτέρα

From Matia, some background on the tradition of kite flying on Clean Monday (χαρταετός)

From Astropeleki, images of children flying kites and classroom display of Κυρά Σαρακοστή

Color a kite for Καθαρά Δευτέρα:

girl flying kite , plain kite, boy flying kite

From the Διαβάζω και γράφω series, a handout (page 51)

More Christmas Activities

Visit Paidika.gr for Greek Christmas carols, poems, coloring pages, activity pages, skits and information on Christmas, New Year and Epiphany.

Paidika.gr

Greek Christmas Vocabulary Reader

For a short reader to introduce children to Christmas vocabulary in Greek and to the phrase "I see" visit my scribd page

Βλέπω και διαβάζω τα Χριστούγεννα

After printing out the pages, cut them in half and staple them all together on the left hand side to create a little book.

Christmas Lesson Ideas

Visit Grafoulis.gr for many Christmas activities, including Greek Christmas carols, crafts and lesson ideas.

http://www.grafoulis.gr/wp/?cat=39

OXI Day Activities

From astropeleki.files.wordpress.com

OXI with victory wreath

http://astropeleki.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/dsc03236.jpg

Watch a tutorial on how to create a Tsolia's fesi

http://astropeleki.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/%cf%86%ce%ad%cf%83%ce%b9-%cf%84%ce%bf%cf%85-%cf%84%cf%83%ce%bf%ce%bb%ce%b9%ce%ac-%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%b1-%cf%84%ce%b7%ce%bd-28%ce%b7-%ce%bf%ce%ba%cf%84%cf%89%ce%b2%cf%81%ce%af%ce%bf%cf%85/

Background information on Greece in World War II

http://www.fhw.gr/chronos/14/en/1940_1945/index.html

Paintings of Alexandros Alexandrakis

Having fought at the war front, painter and draughtsman Alexandros Alexandrakis (1913-1968) found time to document the harsh life of soldiers up on the Pindos mountains.

http://www.cslab.ntua.gr/~phib/hellas/alexandrakis.htm

Victory, Freedom... Panagia with him

Our Greek School presents numerous programs throughout the year... Christmas, Three Hierarchs, Greek Independence Day, Graduation, and the OXI Day Commemoration.

"The Anniversary of NO", that we so endearingly call OXI (ochi) Day commemorates Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas' rejection of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Mussolini on October 28, 1940. Who would have thought that a poor, small country like Greece would have been so brave in their simple response of "OXI" No!. No, Greece would not allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy strategic locations. Yes, they would follow their simple answer with bravery of heart and spirit and mark the beginning of Greece's participation in World War II. Since 1942, October 28th has been celebrated in Greek communities around the world with programs and parades.

In presenting this history lesson to my students, I like to include images of the time period. They are always so interested. And although many include soldiers and weapons, the ones that grab their attention the most are those that include the image of the Panagia. They inherently know that Panagia is in these images because she protects and prays for soldiers, she protects and prays for everyone. Their responses to these images are so genuine, and so right on point that they teach me a lesson or two in the end... like one of my students said yesterday, Panagia is always hugging us, just like she hugs the soldier in the poster and how she hugs "Christouli" in church.

Join in the celebration of OXI day by coloring your own Greek flag to display at home:



http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/greece-coloring-page/