CHRISTMAS CONCERT OF THE YOUTH-CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF THE THESSALONIKI FRIENDS OF MUSIC SOCIETY

The roots of carols reach deep into time, already from the time of Homer and antiquity. Then we encounter the custom of the eiresionis, during which children would go around the houses carrying wishes for good luck and fertility, through songs and praises. In the period between December 15 and January 15 —which corresponds to the ancient month of Poseidon— children would sing in the streets holding the eiresionis: an olive or laurel branch decorated with fruits and woollen threads (from "eiros" or "erion", which means woollen thread).
Similar festive songs appear during the Roman era, when Romans and Greeks honoured the Saturnalia or Kronia and the Kalends. As expected, the official Christian Church reacted strongly to these pagan remnants. Over time, the customs were incorporated into the Christian holidays of all countries, transferring the carols —a custom that predates Christianity— to the festive events of the Twelve Days, from Christmas Eve to the Lights.