Remembrance in Hellenism: Honouring the Dead Is Not Optional

This is something I say often, and it bears repeating each and every time. You cannot cherry-pick the aspects of our culture that agree with the worldview you have and disregard the rest as “scary”, “superstitious” or otherwise undesirable just because your Western lens does not align with the Hellenic one. But I digress, as the purpose of this article isn’t to argue.

There is an occasion for this article, none other than a holiday of death. Today is Soul Saturday, a day where the living and dead set aside what separates them and come together to reminisce and find comfort in each other. While this particular iteration is linked to Orthodox Christianity, there is a long historical precedent, from Minoan tombside meals to classical era Athenian libations onward to Byzantine rites and finally, to modern day Greece.

An old man told me once “This is how we’ve been taught, my boy. We live like our grandparents did, like theirs before them. But if you don’t have the right thing in your heart, whatever they’ve taught you doesn’t matter.” Tending to the Dead is one such practice. We are taught to have respect for the Dead, to remember them but without the cultural context, one may struggle to understand why we place such emphasis on the deceased. One thing you must know is that Greeks do not view death the same way Westerners do. We, the people who cried “Freedom or Death.” do not view those who die as being gone. Their passing does not remove them from our community, nor from our heart. Out of love for them, we keep their memory alive. It is this same love that drives us to commemorate them, whether we knew the deceased personally or not. One such example is celebrations held in honour of the heroes of the Hellenic Revolution, thanking them and ensuring they will not be forgotten. But even if the deceased is a pappous from your neighbourhood, rather than a famous artist or a historical figure, the community will come together to carry his memory forward.

It is a duty and an honour to tend to the Dead, and there are many ways to go about it. Most often on Soul Saturdays, people offer prayers, light candles in their memory and make kollyva to share in order to offer solace to the Dead. Those who have lost someone will visit their resting place, tending to the grave and speaking to the deceased. It is believed that on Soul Saturdays, the Dead are able to reach the living and speak to them. Dead who haven’t received their due will appear in the dreams of their relatives, reminding them to not be neglectful.

And as a death worker, it’s exceptionally convenient to live in a country where aiding the Dead is not only normal but expected, let me tell you. But it’s deeper than that. It fills me with pride and hope alike, knowing our Dead will continue to be tended to. It’s important to teach children not to fear death, that it is as natural as the blooming of flowers. It’s important for adults to know that death isn’t dirty or something taboo. You will die, I promise you that. Wouldn’t you rather be supported in your grief? Community helps one share the load.

The Hellenic belief of honouring the Dead is deeply rooted (pun intended) into other Greek beliefs, such as autochthony and the importance of Ancestors, lineage and familial bonds, but that all runs far deeper than I can explain in a brief article. Nevertheless I hope I’ve shed some light on a pillar of our culture that’s often overlooked by foreigners looking to delve into our practices, and that I’ve quelled some of that unwarranted Western fear of interacting with Death.

P.S. This is an excellent opportunity for me to link my recipe for an easy bread that’s perfect for offering to the Dead (or snacking on). You can find that here.