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Benedictine and Franciscan Monks: Forgotten Inventors

   Usually, when we think of religious orders, these things come to mind: a cloister, an abbey, a library, prayer in solitude, detachment from the world… All this in the cradle of a period defined as "dark" by historiography up to Romanticism: the Middle Ages . In this period the monks - especially the Benedictines of the various orders - were the custodians of Judeo-Christian but also classical culture, since thanks to their patient and meticulous transcriptions as scribes we have received almost all of the Greek and Latin works which we study today. Today we are grateful to them first of all for this.   However, many do not know that many products - material and immaterial - that we consume and use every day, come from monks who, using their ingenuity nourished by a profound spirituality, invented them due to practical necessities.    Personally, I find it amazing!    Let's begin…   The heavy plow   Plows were a primary agri...
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Christmas traditions in the world

 


Hi everyone, happy Boxing Day (UK) or Santo Stefano (Italy)! Are you enjoying your Christmas holidays? I really hope so! Since we are still in the mood and the holiday season goes on, let’s talk about different traditions all over the world. Ready to join me in this journey?


Christmas in the United Kingdom

During Christmas eve, children leave milk and biscuits for Santa Claus and carrots for the reindeer.

On Christmas Day they open stockings and then there is the traditional dinner with typical dishes like mince pies and Christmas pudding.

 

left mince pies, center Christmas pudding and right Christmas crackers.

They also open the Christmas crackers: a paper tube from which a small trinket and a paper wreath come out.

At 3 p.m. the traditional Christmas speech for the second time is by king Charles. Last year   it was his first, after so many speeches by his mother,  Queen Elizabeth II. This tradition started in 1932 with King George VI. 

 First speech of Charles III

  Last speech ofQueen Elisabeth II

 

At 5pm the traditional Christmas tea with the family and the celebrations end on the 26th with Boxing Day and the start of the winter discounts. 

London at Christmas

Christmas in Argentina

Christmas traditions in Argentina are similar to ours here in Italy. The 24th is the most important day, Christmas Ever, which they spend with their families.

The gifts are brought by the Magi on 6th January, and the children leave water and raw for the camels outside the door.

Christmas in Spain

In Spain on 22nd December there is a big lottery called “El Godo”  and almost every Spaniard buys at least 1 ticket.

During the Eve they serve the most elaborate meal, which starts at 10 in the evening.

They eat dishes such as “Pavo trufado de Navidad”, a turkey stuffed with mushrooms, and turròn, a nougat made with almonds and accompanied by Spanish Brandy. 

 

on the left is a lottery ticket, on the right is the turkey.

Here, too, the gifts are delivered by the Magi on 6th January.

 Christmas in Sweden

On 13th December, St Lucia’s Day, houses are embellished with decorations made of straw and red flowers.

During Christmas dinner, “JulGrot” is served,  a porridge with a hidden almond that brings good luck to those who find it.

After dinner they gather around the tree to sing, and while they are singing, Santa Claus arrives.

 Christmas in Denmark

In Denmark, the anticipation of Christmas is greatly felt:  they create a garland with fir twigs, pine cones and 4 candles to be lit on the four Sundays of Advent.

 


They also light another candle to mark the passing of Advent. Parents create advent calendars called “Julekalender'” for their children

Fun fact: Denmark's leading TV channel broadcast a 24-episode TV series that is highly anticipated by children.

 In Denmark, the Christmas tree is decorated a few days before Christmas and the lights are lit on Christmas Eve.

After Christmas Eve dinner, the typical dessert called “Ris a L'amande” is served: milk rice with whipped cream, almonds and sour cherry sauce.

 Do you know any other tradition from other countries in the world?

 


Today's blogger

Hello, I am Valerio Carpentieri, I am 16 years old and I ‘m in the 3rd year of Liceo Scientifico. My hobbies are traveling and watching TV series. I’m here to write about my interests and share them with all of you.

 

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