u/KayaKafka

That was a small moment of victory!

I know that it’s nothing big but I’ve enjoyed the Language Transfer audio course so much so far and hearing a Greek word that I could understand from anywhere else than the course gave me a big bump in motivation.

Although the language seems “simple” in pronunciation, I’m having a hard time remembering and using the words I’m learning in the course. I attribute that to being mid 30s haha!

But having so much fun so far and building brick by brick… just wanted to share!

In an earlier post I shared of having a quite sudden and profound interest in Orthodoxy, after reading about how my Pontic Greek ancestors were (hidden) crypto-Christians under Ottoman, islamic rule.

I’m curious if you know about any introductory podcasts on (Greek) Orthodoxy that are tailored for converts from islam, or general ones explaining the essence of Orthodoxy and also ones that are more on “how to live”, traditions and rituals that go deeper on everyday life.

Curious to your suggestions!

Do you think that Orthodoxy influences your daily life?

I’m looking for the more “mundane” answers, ones you don’t always think about, like f.e. making a cross sign while walking past a church? Or saying a certain prayer that is Orthodox in origin when something happens, or other subtleties that you can think of?

Just some thoughts I wanted to share this evening.

I’ve been raised with a partly islamic and partly secular belief system. While I was more inclined to hold religious beliefs when I was younger, as I grew older I verged on atheistic / agnostic but always got pulled back in to my islamic upbringings.

Being raised muslim, thinking about Christianity and entertaining the thought was always a big no no for me.

Recently I found my roots as a Pontic Greek and I’ve started to read more and more about how they lived as crypto-Christians during Ottoman rule. This made me read more and learn more about how the Orthodox church has been so important in their lives during centuries of dark times.

Ever since I’ve done my research and reading into Orthodox Christianity, there seems to be a shift in me. There is an unexplainable warmth and longing to read more, research more and understand more.

If anyone has knowledge on how Pontic Greeks lived with Orthodoxy in the past and how Orthodoxy influences the lives of Greeks today, I’m happy to hear and learn more!

Something tells me that this is a beautiful path I’m on…

As a Pontic Greek (with a Turkish nationality) I have been researching my ancestors from the Black Sea region.

Now I'm curious to what Greeks see as inherently Greek identity. I'm looking for answers beyond just where one is born. Is it how the Orthodox religion is intertwined in Greek society? Or ethnicity? Culture, food?

What would you say makes one Greek, and what tips do you have for people like myself looking to learn and embrace their culture and history as a (Pontic) Greek?

As a Pontic Greek (with a Turkish nationality) I have been researching my ancestors from the Black Sea region.

Now I'm curious to what Greeks see as inherently Greek identity. I'm looking for answers beyond just where one is born. Is it how the Orthodox religion is intertwined in Greek society? Or ethnicity? Culture, food?

What would you say makes one Greek, and what tips do you have for people like myself looking to learn and embrace their culture and history as a (Pontic) Greek?

As a Pontic (Turk) I’m very invested in my Pontic Greek heritage. I’m trying to read more and understand how the Pontic Greek cuisine used ingredients.

I’m mostly curious about how pork was used in their dishes. Before the Ottoman period I assume pork was used in their traditional dishes?

During the Ottoman time, I’m wondering how the Pontic Greeks included pork in their dishes since I assume that owning pigs could be a sign that you are a non-muslim and therefore needed to pay taxes to the sultan?

Or was usage of pork fully ceased by then? I can’t seem to find anything about this in modern Pontic Greek recipes.