Tinian people preserve their
local manners and customs as sacred. Besides, many of those stem from ancient
religious traditions. These customs survive mostly in the villages, although
the Main Town also has its own traditions. In addition, the locals often
combine their deep religious faith with their love for dancing and singing,
regularly organizing local festivities and fairs.
A custom that proves the deep
religious faith of Tinians is the lighting of Vigil Lights. It is an unwritten
law, binding the locals to light all the country chapels this way every
Saturday afternoon and on the eve of the celebration of a Saint’s memory. Every
chapel has a permanent or temporary owner, responsible for keeping the custom.
Non-fulfillment of this obligation is considered a moral offence not tolerated
by the locals.
This custom sometimes takes
the form of a solemn religious promise. Thus, many Tinians often as a token of
gratitude, supplication or thanks to a Saint, vow to go to the chapel dedicated
to the Saint’s name. The pilgrims arrive at the chapel early in the morning. If
the oil lamps are already lit, they add some oil to keep them burning and they
leave the oil bottle they brought with them next to the candelabrum so it can
be used later.
In every case, the ritual
includes candle lighting and incense burning. These three ritual elements are
the only material sacrifice that has survived since the early Christian years.
Its nature is symbolic. Its value is not measured by the materials offered, but
by the pilgrim’s devoutness. In general, oil lamp lighting represents the light
in their souls. The flame symbolizes the light of the Holy Spirit and the
resplendence of all the Saints who are deep in the locals’ hearts.
An old Christian custom, of
monastic origin, is held during the Christmas season in Tripotamos. Every year,
one family, whose leader receives the title of ‘Kavos’, takes on the
responsibility of taking care of the village church, which is dedicated to the
Presentation of the Virgin Mary. Among their responsibilities is to keep the
oil lamp (vigil light) hanging over the Icon of the Nativity lit all year
round. In addition, they keep the church clean, they pay the costs for the
Christmas Divine Liturgy, the provision of candles, while they are also
responsible for the making of a huge candle for the New Year’s Day Service.
On Christmas day, at noon, the
Kavos invites the priest and the men – the head of families of the village –
for lunch. Each one of the guests has to bring his own fork, spoon, bread and
wine, all wrapped in a napkin. The Kavos has to make provisions for a lavish
meal, with soup, veal stew, and braised meat with tomato sauce, stuffed vine
leaves and several other local specialties. Wine is served in goblets, special
mugs of hemispherical shape made of brass that are used only on this occasion.
After the meal, the priest and
some of the table-companions carry the Icon of the Nativity from the church to
their host’s house chanting Christmas hymns. The Icon is placed on the table,
the priest hands out the holy bread, while everyone lights candles, similar to
those used in the morning service. This is the moment when the priest appoints
the next ‘Kavos’. After eating the traditional sweets, the Icon is taken back
to church while the crowd chants Christmas hymns.
On the next day (26th
of December) all the men of the village gather again in the house of the former
Kavos, to finish up the leftovers from the previous day. Typically, the
responsibilities of the former Kavos end with the Christmas meal. However, the
oil lamp has to remain lit till the last day of the year. After Divine Liturgy
on the 31st of December, there is a procession of the Icon around
the houses of the village according to the custom of ‘podariko’ (=first visitor
at a house on New Year’s Day is considered to bring good luck).
Today the list for the title
of Kavos runs till 2025, which means that this custom is very popular with the
locals. In earlier days though, the Kavos would be a last-minute choice, since
most of the families were not well-off.
Source:
https://stjohntheforerunnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/a-christmas-tradition-on-island-of-tinos.html
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