Dear Friend,

Last night, Kolya and I went to a name day ceremony with our friends Maria, Yaya Stavroula and Cousin George. The ceremony was held at a small monastery in Arfara named for Elias. Each name day is celebrated in a church by its name. This particular monastery used to house nuns, but it is currently uninhabited. It is in a beautiful spot high above Arfara lending a a panoramic view of the village. We parked the car and climbed the last bit of hill to the monastery passing sunflowers and grazing sheep along the way. The grounds of the monastery are impeccable with blooming flowers and trees laden with fruit. Vagelli (Maria's eldest son) greeted us form the bell tower. He had hung bunting flags for the celebration and was preparing to ring the bell. Three priests joined Father Michael and we all stood for their arrival. The chapel was small, so most people sat outside in the gardens and listened. Ceremonies and services are sung with a call back and forth between the priest and choir (usually just a couple of men). The priests have deep resonating voices and you can't help but connect with the celebration spiritually even if the language stands as a barrier.

During the celebrations, loaves of holy bread called Arti are stacked and three candles are lit. Theses loaves are either purchased or baked by the family members celebrating a son, brother, father, grandfather, etc. named Elias. In front of the bread is a holder with three bottles containing wine, oil and wheat. After the service, the bread is cut up and handed out to those in attendance. This special holy bread is only made on happy occasions... celebrating the living and asking for health.

We had a nice evening and rode home in the back of Father Michael's car... Kolya wearing his tall woolen priest's hat.