The Greek people are a religious people with religion
forming a part of their cultural essence. This has always been the
case, even in ancient Greece the populations were very religious creating
shrines throughout Greece, Cyprus and anywhere they colonized to their
In regards to respect of priests, it is customary for
Greeks upon seeing one to go up to them and kiss their hands or even
the cloth that they wear. Priests were as highly respected in
ancient times as they are today.
However, just as in ancient times as today it was considered
a bad omen to see a priest walking in the street. Upon seeing one
Greeks may spit three times into their shirt. It was also considered bad luck
to see a priest in the morning if someone had a handkerchief they may
tie it until the day ended. In this manner any bad luck would be tied
until a time when the chance of something happening would not be as likely.