Mnemosyno and Koliva

Good morning, not so cold out there today, just -1 (minus 1) when I got up rather than -7 of yesterday.

Today is a special day,  a memorial service is being held in Cyprus for our daughter whom we lost just 4 years ago.  This service is held the Sunday prior to the anniversary of the death, it is called the Mnemosyno (memorial).  The family and Christianas friends will go to the service which will be followed by a gathering at the graveside where the grave will be blessed and then everyone goes back to the family home to reminisce.

Unfortunately I couldnt be there this year.  As the UK have come out of the EU we are only allowed to visit Cyprus 90 days in every 6 months and of course we have THE wedding in June.  So we shall have a quiet day at home celebrating her life with our own memories.  

 

This is called Koliva and can be made from various seeds, the most popular being seasame, sultanas, blanched almonds, pomegrantes, walnuts, hazelnuts and pine nuts.  There are lots of spices including cinnamon, aniseed and or cumin.  Each region of Cyprus as well as Greece have their own recipe for making this.  Once everything is mixed, you cover the bottom half of the dish/plate but you also leave some of the ingredients for decoration.  I dont have a photo of the one that is used today and the picture I have used is taken from the internet but it usually has the persons initials on it or the cross.   Everyone who visits the church  today will take some of this to eat. 

Thanks for having a read.  Tracey x