Many of you know that I’m half-Greek and half-Sicilian. I’ve often joked that my mother’s parents were born in Olympia, Greece—home of the gods and goddesses, while my father’s parents were born in Porto Empedocle, Sicily—home of the godfathers. I like to think of myself as a Brooklyn Dialectical Synthesis, which integrates the ‘reasonable’ and ‘philosophical’ Greek and the Sicilian Fuhgedaboudit! Just don’t piss me off!
(It’s a joke! Take it easy!)
Actually, Porto Empedocle is part of the province of Agrigento. It is east/southeast of the town of Sciacca, hence the origin of my surname. And for the record, Olympia, Greece is nowhere near Mount Olympus!
Either way you slice it, I’m the product of a hot Mediterranean mix!
I was also baptized Greek Orthodox. Unlike the Russian Orthodox, who celebrate Christmas on January 7 due to their following of the Julian Calendar, the Greeks follow the Revised Julian Calendar (which will be aligned with the Gregorian Calendar for another 800 years). So, today, the Greek Orthodox join most of the Christian world in celebrating the birth of Christ.
Celebrating one’s Name Day is also a Greek Orthodox tradition. Indeed, Name Days are celebrated like birthdays! On one’s Name Day, one often hears the Greek phrase, “Χρόνια πολλά” or “Xronia Polla” (translated as “Many Years” and pronounced “KRO-nya po-LA”).
For those in the know, today, Christmas Day, is my Greek Name Day. My name is Chris, derivative of Christos. My name is NOT short for Christopher! Christopher means “Christ-bearer”. When Mom named me “Chris”, she went straight for The Christ.
If I were a Christopher, my Name Day would be May 9 (which Greeks celebrate as the Feast Day of the Holy Martyr Christopher of Lycea). But I’m a Chris! Not a Christopher. Or a Christine—even on my most flamboyant days! (Though the Christines of this world also mark today as their Name Day!)
And when I was baptized on June 11, 1961 (coinciding with my Dad’s birthday), I was gifted with the middle name of “Matthew”, after Saint Matthew the Apostle—who, prior to following Christ, was a despised tax collector. But hey, Matthew saw the light!
So, Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all on this Merry Christmas—and Xronia Polla to Me!
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Thanks to my friend Ellen Young for inspiring this post!
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