Upper Darby, PA – The Pontian “Akritai” brought in the Christmas season in traditional style this past weekend. Members of the dance troupe and organization stopped in at area Delaware County homes, where they sang Christmas songs and danced.
Christmas cheer and holiday cookie treats were shared along with wishes for a happy new year with home owners that greeted them. The “Akritai” make several tours each year during the holidays in traditional folk attire, and keep the customs of Pontian culture from one generation to the next. On this day, members from the ages of 10 to 60 joined together to preserve the annual ritual they continued to do from one generation to the next.
The Akritai of Philadelphia are the oldest Black Sea Greek Organization in North America and continue to be a leader in observing the customs and traditions of Pontos.