Banksy may well be Greek bearing in mind his famous quote that states that “you die twice. One time when you stop breathing, and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.”

Since antiquity, the ancients did all they could to preserve their kleos (the glory that was achieved by Homeric heroes in the way they would be remembered after they died).

The Greek Orthodox faith attempted to change the way the dead were mourned and preached the immortality of the soul, but the actual philosophy of honouring and remembering the dead prevails and there are many rituals following a person’s passing that ensures they are remembered and their name is spoken for many more years to come.

  • A brief trisagion service is chanted by the priest for the dead person just after the deceased has passed, as well as on the evening before the funeral service.
  • Just before the coffin is lowered into the grave following the funeral, the priest pours oil crosswise on the departed to cleanse the dead.
  • Kolyva (boiled wheat mixed with sugar and sultanas) are shared out among family and friends. Kolyva predate Christianity and were offered during the pagan festival of the Anthesteria. In the 5th century, the dish was part of the diet of monks who refused to eat bread. It is believed that the ritual food practice was established by Athanasius of Alexandria during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate.
  • On the third day, a trisagion is held to honour the dead and kolyva are thrown over the grave, a practice that originated in antiquity and some churches frown upon. The third day represents Christ’s own death and Resurrection.
  • On the ninth day, a trisagion is also held “as a reminder of the living and the dead”.
  • On the fortieth day, a memorial service (mnimosino) service is held at the church where the trisagion is also chanted. The family get together at the cemetery to perform the trisagion.
  • Similarly, at the third, sixth, ninth and twelve months and then annually, a memorial service is performed in the church and a trisagion at the cemetery.
  • All Saturdays are devoted to the memory of those who have passed away, particularly the “Saturdays of the souls” that is held a year before Lent begins.