San Rafael Local Customs

Just north of San Rafael in the neighborhood of Ignacio is the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church.

Every Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in May), the church hosts a Greek Festival. The food is fabulous - it's all home cooked by the parishioners, most of whom are Greek - and it's authentic! Come by for a good time and lots of great food, gifts, dancing, Greek wines, and Greek CDs! Tours of the church are also available.

Serbian Christmas - Jan 7, 2004

Cesnica

1 package yeast
1/4 cup warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
3/4 cup milk (warmed)
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup butter (1 cube - melted)
4 cups bread flour
1 egg (beaten - for brushing on dough)

Dissolve sugar in 1/4 cup warm water and sugar. Combine all ingredients (except for third egg) and knead by hand or in bread mixer. Dough will be sticky. Put dough in buttered bowl, cover with cellophane wrap and let rise to double in size.

Punch dough down (will still be sticky, but that is fine). Cut off small piece of dough for a cross. Put rest of dough in a buttered springform pan. Hide a coin in the dough. Decorate with reserved dough to create a cross. Cover with waxed paper and let rise in a warm room for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brush top of dough with beaten egg. Bake for 40 minutes. Serve warm for most delicious results!

The person who finds the coin will receive one year of good fortune!

Hristos se Rodi! (Merry Christmas!)

Every November 2, the culturally diverse Canal neighborhood in San Rafael celebrates Dias de los Meurtos (Day of the Dead), a major Mexican holiday. According to tradition, on this day, the spirits of the dead return to earth to be with their families.

The entire community joins in the festivities by creating altars at Pickleweed Park in the Canal and participating in the Dead Procession in the evening.