I was recently commissioned to translate some profound and inspiring works by our Righteous Father Alexei Mechev, which I put together in a booklet. Unfortunately, after printing 500 copies, circumstances changed and the one who commissioned the work has been hospitalized and called off the purchase. Since I am at an unforeseen personal loss with this, I wanted to make these never before translated texts available to my followers for only $11.95 a copy, which includes shipping and handling in the United States (orders outside the US, please use a pay button towards the bottom of this page and include $5 for a total of $16.95). I would like to sell all of these as quick as possible, and it would be great reading material for the lenten season. As an added incentive, for the first 50 people who order, I will also offer a never before published text by Fr. John Romanides titled "The Canon and the Inspiration of the Holy Scripture" free of charge.

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December 4, 2017

Why Do Greeks and Cypriots Eat Loukoumades on the Feast of Saint Barbara?


Saint Barbara is celebrated as the patron saint of the Artillery Corps of the Greek Army and the Cypriot National Guard. Artillery camps throughout the two countries host celebrations in honor of the Saint on December 4th, where the traditional sweet of loukoumades is offered to soldiers and visitors. This tradition began in 1829, allegedly because the loukoumades resemble cannonballs.

However, according to the Hellenic Army General Staff website, the reason the Artillary Corps has Saint Barbara as its patron saint is because lightning struck and killed her father after he beheaded her, and this punishing lightning symbolizes the fire of the artillary. And on 4 December 1829, when this patronage was established, the event was celebrated in the camp of the first "Battalion Order", as they were then called, with traditional loukoumades and cognac.The tradition stuck ever since.

It should also be noted that since this feast lands during the Nativity Fast, and dairy products are forbidden, loukoumades with honey, cinnamon and nuts is an obvious alternative for a festive sweet. This may be why in Greek villages, where they have a church dedicated to Saint Barbara, they serve loukoumades to celebrate, and this could predate 1829.


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