ИСТИНА

Now the primary sense and spirit of certain customs are often changing. The present communication is dedicated to the several Greek fire rituals: η πυροβασία ‘fire-walking’, a tradition performed in some villages of the Northern Greece on the Saints Constantine and Helena’s Day; the burning of "Judas", an Easter-time ritual; St John’s fires etc. These rites are interesting because they generate new texts with a curious confusion of different cultural traditions, a mix of scientific and folk motives, especially in explanation of the "fire healing power”. The fire rituals may be used not only during the Christian festivals but those exploiting the Ancient Greece heritage. It results in a kind of “reconstruction” of the more ancient tradition. The “spectacular” part of some ritual practices may be used in commercial purposes.