In Pontus, the month of December was renamed Christianarts, derived from the birth of Christ.
In the region of Rodopoli, it was called Christougennarts. During this month, people would do various household tasks and host evening gatherings (veggéres), often staying awake late into the night.
From the word Christos and the Pontic term kourín, meaning “log,” came the expressions Christokourin in Kerasounta and Christokour in Trebizond. These referred to the large tree trunk placed in the fireplace to burn continuously during the three days of Christmas.
In Inepolis, they used the term Christopouli, which meant the chicken that, according to custom, was slaughtered for Christmas.
Finally, in the region of Chaldia, the phrase Christouimera was used to describe the three days of Christmas celebrations.
By the book “THE FOLKLORE OF PONTOS”
Writer Elsa Galanidou – Balfousia
