Traditions in Chios
For the firstborn child the godfather was always the best man who had crowned the couple at the wedding. This tradition is reflected by the last line of the following quatrain, which was recited in Chios at the wedding table:
Best man, that crowned,
and put together the couple,
to claim God,
to put the oil.
After the ceremony ends, the parents, the priest, the church singer and the guests accompanied the newly baptized (the neophyte) home. Here the “sweet treat” was made. As a welcome the soumada, which is a traditional home made spirit drink, was given to the guests. Followed by liqueur with chocolates and sugared almonds, sweets and ground chickpeas with the sugar for the older, etc. all this with plenty of raki (hand made spirit from grapes.)