As mentioned earlier (in Part 1, Chapter 3), mahlepi is the kernel of the pit of the native Persian Cherry Tree. It is ground into a fine powder to flavor and make aromatic traditional holiday breads: especially Vasilopita.
[Return to the text at note 2.]
A baby is brought to church to be blessed and consecrated to God. A female child is brought to the Royal Door of the iconostasion while a male child is carried into the sanctuary and around the altar.
[Return to the text at note 3.]
In March 2000, I purchased a good copy of Stratosphere Jim and his Flying Fortress copyrighted in 1941, from a used bookstore in Tyler, Texas. The authors' names are Oscar Lebeck and Gaylord Dubois. The book has a proud place in my library.
[Return to the text at note 4.]
St. Basil was born in Cappadocia (west-central Asia Minor) about the time that Constantine the Great founded Constantinople (326 A.D.). A brilliant scholar and philosopher, he was ordained and eventually became a bishop. He is revered as one of the most distinguished leaders of the early church, and for his love and work for the poor and sick.
[Return to the text at note 5.]
Mavrovitis, Jason C., Out of the Balkans,
Part 2, Jason's Journey, Recollections and Celebrations, Chapter 4, Remembrances
(PAHH.com, 2003), notes, available at http://www.pahh.com/mavrovitis/part2b/notes04.html.
Credit: Published in the Preservation of American Hellenic History network, PAHH.com
