St. Tryphon and wine
From Dionysus... to St. Trifon
According to the Orthodox Book of Saints, on February 1 honor the memory of St. Tryphon has established itself as the protector of wine. Of course, no events have been found in the life of the saint that show a special relationship among him and vineyard or wine.
St. Tryphon was born in Lampsacus of Phrygia and his family came from poor districts. In his childhood geese tended to live, but while studying earnestly the Bible with reverence and performing religious duties. In his life performed miracles, healing and conjuring demons. Martyred during the reign of Decius, in Nicaea which was also the patron saint. What is the relationship but had a chinovoskos the growers to the point to become a patron of? What were the reasons for the younger folk painters to present the Holy as a new, beardless, curly haired, keeping hedge trimmer, a tool associated with pruning vineyard, perhaps the most important wine-growing job. Elsewhere shown holding vine leaves, indicating clearly the particular relationship with this plant.
The answer perhaps lies in the fact that the birthplace of the saint, the Phrygian Bithynia was famous for its vineyards and production of quality wine, and all the coasts of Marmara. So probably the Saint patron turned out to the main production site.
Indeed, because of the miraculous, healing and banish properties, prevailed when Christianity was banned and the old religious figures involved have the role of protector of all farmers, not just the wine. In "Little Benedictions" (ed. A. Stop. 1993, p. 327-328) are the narration and the oath of that Saint, which tied the beasts that destroy vineyards, gardens and even destroy the leaves up wrists. The names of beasts, according to the saint, thus causing the destruction of vines and fields is «plain, skolix, skolikokampi, skantharos Vrouchas, locust, epimalos, kaligaris, makropous, myrminx, fret, rygitis, psyllitis ...» The prayers of St. read by priests usually after the commission and blessing with the holy water sprinkled the trees and plants.
Of course, a decisive role in the emergence of a patron saint of winegrowers plays and the fact that the memory of St. Tryphon celebrated at the same time when growers are starting to "pruning" a very important task for growing the state's vineyards and production.
Religious customs and traditions
| How was it possible that the Greek populations of Eastern Rumelia (Ankhíalos, Sozopol, Mesimvria ...) living in wooded areas of vines to ignore such a saint, which will ensure the protection of vineyards from potential disasters? The Anchialites so loved St. Trifon with great reverence. On this day, no go for any course work in the vineyard, rather than gathering all the Church do artoklasia with holy water and boiled wheat for the memorial of St. Tryphon. The fact that koliva parethetan "painted" to form the Saint. Even took care to keep the grape harvest, to go on this day in church, to read and share to the faithful as a blessing. In the end, sprinkled with holy water the vines and fields, to have good production, a good year, with fertility and fecundity. |  |
When later, in 1924, as the scholar-folklorist Zeta Papageorgopoulou like refugees uprooted and settled in their new homeland, they moved outside of the wine techniques and ways of worship. With the creation of the village of New Anchialos not lose time and build a chapel to St. Tryphon, to be able to perform their religious duties.
Since then, every year they continue to faithfully worship customs. Also, after the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy all have fun with local music, plenty of wine and traditional recipes. The festivities surrounding dancing groups in traditional dances, and many visitors have the opportunity to learn and have fun in a place steeped in wine history. The Anchialites honored with a special devotion their patron Saint, continuing the cultural tradition of so many centuries, which they received from their ancestors.