Today Sunday May 21st, as with every year on the same date, the Greek Church celebrates together, the two names “Eleni” and “Konstantinos”.
In Greek, te meaning of the name Eleni, is “Light”, so you can understand why it is such a popular name to give a daughter and why it is such a big celebration in the Greek Orthodox Church.
So if you have a friend or a member of family with those names, don’t forget to wish them “Χρόνια Πολλά” or “Chronia Polla”, today.
Of course this is the name that these people were christened with but any also use different or shortened versions of their original names, such as, Elena, Elene, Ellen, Eleni, Lena, Eleanor, Eleonora, Eleonor, Nora, Marilena, or even the more anglicised version of the name, Helen, for the girls christened Eleni and then Nadia, Nandia, Nadya, Thina, Dina, for those Christened Constantina.
And for the men christened Konstantinos, alternatives or abbreviations may be Kostas, Costas, Constantine, Constantine, Gus and Dinos (Ntinos).
Sadly, with the financial crisis and because of our long working hours in the tourist season, not everyone is able to celebrate as they did in the past, with big get togethers in their homes, but for those that you know who do, be aware, that you are not usually invited to attend, as you would be if it was birthday, engagement etc. In this case it is expected that you just pop in and wish them chronia polla, with a small gesture of a gift and then you are very welcome to enjoy a drink and something to eat along with everyone else.
So, to all those celebrating “Na xaireste to onoma sas kai chronia polla!! “Greetings for your name and many happy years!!”
