Christmas is not the most important religious holiday in Cyprus - Easter firmly holds that spot. But, being an Orthodox country means Cyprus celebrates religious festivities and in recent years Christmas here, like just about everywhere, has taken on the commercial aspect of the holiday. Shops, which normally operate to strict hours and Wednesday afternoon closing, relinquish standard hours and remain open all day and late in order to attract shoppers. However, there isn't the Christmas frenzy that happens in the UK.

Christmas in Cyprus is still a quiet and dignified religious holiday with a few folk traditions adding to the local flavour. The season started last week on 6th December, the Feast of St Nicholas, and runs through until the purification spectacle of Epiphany in harbour-side towns on the same day in January.

Christmas in the UK is famous for its helpful, high-spirited elves but in Cyprus these little creatures take on a different guise. They are ugly, mischievous, naughty goblins known as “Kalikantzari”. These little critters play pranks on people, entering houses via the chimney. They steal food and terrorise children from Christmas Eve until 6th January.

Superstitious Cypriot housewives would seal chimneys in former times and leave something to eat on the roof so the Kalikantzari would fill their stomachs up there and forget about slipping into their homes. These tales belong to the days when children would get their presents on New Year's Day in celebration of Saint Vasilios, the Hellenic version of Father Christmas.

Cypriot housewives would be a little more hospitable towards him. They would leave a glass of wine and a piece of cake which often held a coin for Saint Vasilios in return for the delivery of the children's gifts. This cake is still part of local tradition today. It is called Vasilopitta, which means Saint Vasilios cake, and is served widely at cake-cutting events around New Year's. If you get the chance to try some do because it is simple but delicious.

Theofania, or Epiphany, brings the Christmas season to a close. Also known as the Feast of Light, or Fota, this waterside ceremony takes place every January 6th. Symbolising the purification of mankind, the focal point of the festival is when young men dive to retrieve the cross which is cast into the seaside water by the local church primate. To catch the cross is an honour. It is then passed around to other swimmers so that they can kiss it for a blessing.

Theofania parades usually start at a church and are led by a religious leader and followed by members of the National Guard and school bands. They travel through the harbour thoroughfare to the quayside for the cross throwing ceremony. In terms of religious observation, devout Orthodox Christians participate in the divine liturgy on 25th December.

In the week before Christmas there are loads of concerts of traditional songs known as “kalanda”, performances of popular carols and Byzantine choirs singing haunting religious music. Christmas in Cyprus for expats tends to be a relaxed affair with many restaurants offering seasonal menus on 25th December for those who don't feel like cooking a turkey!

There are numerous religious denominations that are catered to for the religious side of the holiday and, of course, expats are welcome to sample the local traditional music by attending concerts and enjoying Theofania. Many join the locals and have a hot drink in the harbour afterwards.

Start your hunt for a home in Cyprus here…
If you’re searching for a Cypriot property, a good place to start is the Cyprus Buying Guide’s property search facility. To start your search now visit http://www.cyprusbuyingguide.com/content/cyprus-properties