It’s been nine years since my mothers’ passing. Each year offers something new and different. This year is filled with planning a wedding, which brings on new experiences. Kinda like, oh hello tears, so nice of you to visit at the most inappropriate times. Wedding planning has been a bit awkward and empty when dealing with tedious details that mothers take over but mainly so exciting, full and wonderful to marry my best friend, partner in goofiness and hunk of a guy!
This year, we grieved together. For his grandmother and my mother- both named Eleni. We decided to make our own koliva together. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, we make this wheat dish called koliva with nuts, raisins, parsley, pomegranate, cinnamon and Jordan almonds sprinkled with sugar that we bring to church on the day of the memorial where we do a service for the reposed souls. Some pay others or have a family friend make it, so I was always intimated to try it. The result was imperfect but a beautiful process that gave me time to reflect and be in silence and prayer. I highly recommend making it yourself (for those Orthodox friends). We listened to this podcast while preparing it. There is something about boiling wheat to perfection (or imperfection in our case), peeling pomegranates and preparing with my own hands that makes it more special. It’s time consuming, but it lends the perfect space to let yourself just completely grieve.
proud of you christiana…. keep fighting the good fight! may their memory be eternal !!
Looks like you made this with much love! Congratulations with your new adventures!
xoMary
What a beautiful ritual. I remember making Koliva for the first time when I was in graduate school in Boston. It was for my yiayia Afrati’s 40 days. How touching and special to share the experience with Stephano. It is moving to see your devotion to and living of the faith. Brava!
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I don’t know a thing about Koliva as I am not Greek, I do, however, know much about grieving the passing of ones mother. It was wonderful to read of your journey and the healing which I am sure came to you during this process. Thank you for sharing such a personal experience.
Thanks so much for your comment and sorry for the loss of your mother. Thanks for reaching out. I’m happy to know that sharing my experience of grieving can be read by others.
Hi Christiana,
Thank you so much for allowing me to share your recent blog post about Koliva and the passing of your loved ones. I appreciate it very much and so do my readers.
I have big plans for my blog this year and can’t wait to share some more of your stories including your Yiaya’s vasilopita (as long as you are happy for me to do so).
Thanks again.
Best of luck for you this year in 2013 and for your wedding!!
Maybe I can interview you one day and share your wedding stories on http://www.greekweddingsandtraditions.com
Sia