PIANOPSIE (Πυανόψια). — From πύανος, “bean,” and ἔψω, “I eat.” A festival celebrated at Athens on the seventh day of the month Pyanepsion (22 October) in honor of Apollo.
This festival, which according to tradition was instituted by Teseo after his return from Crete, derived its name from the cooked beans offered to the god on this day as first fruits; on the occasion, a branch of olive (εἰρεσιών), adorned with ribbons and laden with every kind of fruit, was also carried in solemn procession. During the procession, the eiresione was carried by a boy whose parents were both still living, while the participants sang a hymn
PIANOPSIE - PIA SOCIETÀ S. FRANCESCO SAVERIO
