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I am a practicing Orthodox Christian. The traditional memorial dish is called KOLLYVA. It is made of boiled wheat, mixed with sugar and spices. It symbolizes the eternal cycle, people like wheat must be buried to grow and have a new life.
It is made at memorial services nine daysand again forty days after death and again at 6 mothns, 1 year, and the third year anniversary. Also during the year at a time when the church remembers all those who have deceased (ie Saturday of Souls - Psychosavato).
A memorial meal is served to friends and guests after the funeral and again after the 40 day memorial srvice. It is called a MAKARIA. Guests are greeted with brandy, before they sit for the meal. The meal usually includes PAXIMATHIA - a biscotti like but unsweetened cookie. They are dry like bones, so they are traditional. Sweets are condsidered a sign of celebraton so they are not appropriate to serve. Fish (the traditional symbol of Christianity) salad, rice, green beans, cheese, rolls, olives, wine and coffee are the usual menu.
It is also a tradition to honor the name day (the feastday of the saint who the deceased was named for) by making the altar communion bread PROSFORO, or the sweet bread for an ARTOKLASIA service where the names of the deceased are recalled. Or to provide the sweets for the fellowship coffee after the Liturgy.
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| Posts: 633 | Location: New York | Registered: 06-03-02 |    |
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