Funeral and Memorial Rites of Pontic Greeks of Sochi (Based on Field Materials of 2022)

This article analyses the material collected during an ethnolinguistic expedition to Pontic Greeks of Sochi, which took place from 15th 25th July, 2022. In settlements Krasnaya Polyana, Lazarevskoye, Adler, Sochi (center), Lesnoye, and Galitsino, dialect Greek language characteristic elements traditional culture are preserved this day. The population arrived in region second half nineteenth century. first settlers fled Ottoman Empire Russia historical memory these events is still preserved. funeral memorial rites structurally similar East Slavic ones. Some death-related lexemes Greek, while others differ (for example, verb monázo ‘to keep vigil over a dead body’). A number ritual (such as throwing flowers behind procession or distributing gifts at funeral) were borrowed by Pontians their Eastern neighbours. Of particular interest use objects associated with deceased magical rituals. One tradition special way decorating dish (kukía). also describes changes rituals Soviet era, such increased role specialists custom reading Psalms for home.