Greek Customs and Beliefs
In the Greek custom of cracking eggs on Easter, what color are the eggs and what does the color and cracking symbolize?
Red for the Blood of Christ. The cracking symbolizes Jesus cracking out of the tomb.
The story goes that the egg was given to a doubter and said, "If Jesus has risen, then the white egg will turn red in your hand."
This was Rochester's area code back in 1994
716
Why do you need to spit three times after giving someone a compliment?
To prevent giving someone the evil eye which means the devil could do something bad to them.
This popular type of meat is a combination of beef and lamb. *Must be pronounced the correct way*
Gyro meat
(Pronounced "Euro)
This popular Greek dish contains meat, potatoes, eggplant, and béchamel sauce
What is Moussaka?
Who is the Greek man associated with the Vangellow/Tsanis family, who invented a delicious Rochester staple with a not so delicious name
Who is Nick Tahou? (The Garbage Plate)
These are the first names of all eight children of Evangelos and Neranza
Vasilo, Constantina, Anastasia, James, Spiro, Xenofone, Peter, and Michael.
This saying by James Vangellow (Great Papou) was said anytime he declined a business offer:
"For free, me no wants"
This is the name for the famous Greek liquor enjoyed by many and featured in the 2002 film, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"
What is Ouzo?
Which famous emperor are we all descendants from?
Alexander the Great
What do we believe Metani is and why would you do this?
Metani is going down on one knee and asking for forgiveness because you want to change your life in a positive way.
How many total Grandchildren (including great, great great, and great great great grandchildren) were part of the five generations of the Vangellow/Tsanis family as of January 1994?
172 grandchildren
Why do you put a coin in the casket of a dead person?
So they have money to cross into the next world.
This was the combination of languages that the Vangellow/Tsanis family would speak back in Greece. (Must get 4/5 correct)
Greek, Macedonian, Turkish, Batch (mixture of Romanian), and Shqip (Albanian)
Where does the name "Vangellow" derive from?
The name Vangellow, was taken by James upon arrival to Ellis Island. Because of the language barrier, the name derives from Evangelos, the Grandfather's name. One can see that it is almost a literal translation from the Greek to the English Alphabet.
How long after having a baby are you allowed to wash your hair?
40 days then you need to get purified by the priest.
These are the names of the three villages where the Vangellow/Tsanis family originated from
Flambouron, Drosopigi, & Ydrousa
This Vangellow/Tsanis relative said "Don't you even think about getting fresh with me" to a young stranger while being the oldest rider on the Rochester Museum of Science submarine ride.
Who is Eitsa Petsos?
(Aunt Eitsa)
Nuni and Nuna are what Greek relatives?
Godfather and Godmother
These are the names of the three seas that border Greece:
Aegean, Ionian, & Mediterranean
Why can't you cross over a cord when expecting a baby?
The cord signifies the umbilical cord which could strangle the baby if crossed.(credit to Nancy Nichols)
What was the original Albanian name of Flambouron and what did it mean?
Negovan: it means cold water because that area had such a pure mineral water source
This famous Vangellow/Tsanis saying meant, "Like those I have laughed at" (Because now I have become one of those people)
See ato ke com cashour
(Right to left) 3 times.
This is Greek (our family's version of Greek) for "Many Years"
Pershum Maut
(Hronia Polla)