called "(
Greek characters)," because until that time it is considered that the final place of habitation for the departed spirit has not been determined upon.
In Cyprus and in many of the islands they make funeral-cakes,[1] which are prepared from boiled corn, and which are ornamented upon the top with pomegranates, or other fruits where these are not obtainable, arranged in a kind of mosaic pattern, over which is sprinkled sesame seed. These cakes are placed on a salver near the altar to be consecrated. They are then cut up and distributed, not only to friends but to passers-by, the wealthy sending them through their servants, and for the poor, special ones are made and distributed to them also in the streets from baskets. This custom takes place on the 3rd, is repeated on the 9th and the 40th day after death, at the (Greek characters),[2] on the anniversary, and upon All Souls Day. A Greek friend residing in Nicosia has but lately assisted in this commemoration, on occasion of his own father's anniversary. He considers it analogous to (Greek characters) in the festival of Hecate, where food was distributed in the streets, and to the poor.[3] The materials of which the (Greek characters) is composed also bear a resemblance to the dishes of boiled pulse or beans, (Greek characters), during the festival of Apollo in October.
A letter from Angostoli, lately received, informs me that in an outlying district called Pillarnio they still employ hired weepers if no neighbours volunteer, and that in the same part they occasionally put a small copper coin (Charon's fee) into the coffin.
In Cyprus, after the funeral has passed out of the street they pour from a large vessel the water which it contains, and then throw down the vessel. This custom is referred to the basins of lustral water,
- ↑ (
Greek characters). This custom of "(Greek characters)" was introduced (according to the present Archbishop of Cyprus) not at first for the funeral service, but as a clean food (being simply boiled corn), during the times of fasting, by Theodore Tyro to evade the intentions of the Emperor Maximian, a.d. 297, who, being desirous to reintroduce paganism, ordered meat and butter to be mixed with all food sold, making it thus unclean. In order to defeat this, Theodore resorted to the plan of feeding the Christians within the churches upon boiled corn—"(Greek characters)." Afterwards it was retained as a pure food for funeral ceremonies only.
- ↑ (Greek characters).—Requiem service.
- ↑ At the festival of (Greek characters) and in commemoration of events under Theseus.
