12/11/2006
St. Athanasios’ kourban

Mina Machairopoulou Source: C.E.T.I. © Eastern Macedonia - Thrace Region

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Kourbania (animal sacrifices) is an ancient custom and widespread in Northern Greece. This custom is performed on the day of the celebration of the saint under the initiative of the cultural club of women. An animal –usually a calf- is cooked in big caldrons and served to the ones celebrating. In this way they honor the saint and wish for good fortune. A ghlendi follows. Aforetime people in Dadia and Didimoticho, Evros, brought the animals at the church and ritually butchered them as an offering to the saint.