Saying Goodbye

A little over a week ago I posted about the village celebrations in Exopoli and the cutting of the Vassilopitta. The villagers had gathered together to share food and wine and good company.

Barely nine days later the same villagers gathered together again to make their farewells to one of the young men who died  on the National Highway on his way home from work. This time the mood was sombre. The small church and the surrounding courtyard was packed with family, friends and villagers. There was none of the usual chatter whilst waiting for the service to begin just the murmured greeting "ζωη σε σας" ( life to you) and many red rimmed eyes.  The service was taken by three local priests and two local cantors. The smell of honey filled the air as beeswax candles were handed out and lit at the beginning of the service.

After the service we followed the coffin to the nearby graveyard where he was laid to rest. Although there was an undertaker there, everything was done by his friends, carrying the coffin, laying him in the grave, covering and sealing the grave. We filed by the family and shook hands with them giving our condolences. there was a table with orange juice, Metaxa, peanuts and small cakes as is usual at local funerals. 

"Καλο Ταξιδι"