December is the final month of the year and the first of winter. Its name comes from the Latin word “decem”, meaning “ten”, because in the old Roman calendar it originally held the tenth position. When January and February were later added, December moved to twelfth place but kept its original name. In Cyprus, December is also known as Asprominas, which literally translates to “White Month”, a reference to the color of the landscape when covered by snow, and Chionias, from the word chioni (snow), meaning that December is the month that brings the first snowfalls.

The first ten days of December, known as “Nikolovarvara”, take their name from the feast days of Saint Nicholas (6th of December) and Saint Barbara (4th of December). This period is traditionally considered the rainiest time of the year. The saying “Ta Nikolovarvara tz’ oi toishi nera” reflets this belief, meaning that the rain is so heavy it even seeps through the walls.

The feast of Saint Savvas (5^th of December) falls between those of Saints Barbara and Nicholas. A well-known proverb emphasizes the popular belief that the first week of December marks the rapid onset of harsh winter and heavy snow: “I Agia Varvara varvaronei, tz’ Ais Savvas sabanonnei, tz’ Ais Nikolas parahonei”, meaning that Saint Barbara brings the cold, Saint Savvas intensifies it and Saint Nicholas buries everything in snow.

Undoubtedly, Christmas is the most important feast of December, celebrated on the 25^th, honoring the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas preparations start well in advance with women baking a variety of festive traditional breads, such as “Christopsoma”, “Daktylies” (or “Koumoula”), “Gennopites” (or “Poulles”) along with some modern treats like “Melomakarona”, “Kourambiedes” and “Foinikota”.

In some villages, after the Christmas Divine Liturgy, kolliva (a special offering prepared in memory of our deceased) were given to the chickens as it was believed this would help them lay more eggs throughout the coming year.

Other important Saint feast days in December include those of Saint Anna on the 9^th, Saint Spyridon on the 12^th, Saint Eleftherios on the 15^th, Saint Anastasia on the 22^nd and Saint Stephanos on the 27^th.

Religious fairs, known as panigyria, are a cherished tradition in our villages, celebrating their patron saints. They begin on the eve of the feast with a Vespers service and continue throughout the following day. This month, panigyria will take place in the village of Agios Amvrosios on the 7th for Saint Amvrosios and in Mesana on the 8th for Saint Tychikos.