May

The fifth month of the year celebrates Spring with flowers all over nature. The custom is to make wreaths of flowers to decorate the doors of the houses and keep them there, until the feast of St. John the Reaper, when they burn in large fires in the feasts that are organized that day. In some parts of Thrace and Macedonia in mainland Greece, a special celebration takes place where the “Anastenarides” step on the coals whispering “ash to become, ash to become ….” trying to exorcise every evil and obstacle in human life. Another important name day this month is the feast of Constantine & Helen on May 21 where almost half of Greece celebrates. Wine is always a wonderful gift.