Στη βάφτιση θα έρθουν λίγοι συγγενείς, γιατί δεν θέλουν μεγάλη γιορτή.

Στη is the contracted form of σε + τη.

• σε = to / at / in
• τη = the feminine singular form of the in the accusative case

So στη βάφτιση means at the baptism / at the christening.

This contraction is very common in everyday Greek:

• σε + το = στο
• σε + τη = στη
• σε + τον = στον

It is in the accusative singular, because the preposition σε normally takes the accusative.

So in στη βάφτιση:

• στη shows feminine accusative singular
• βάφτιση is the noun baptism / christening

A useful thing to know is that many feminine nouns in -ση have the same form in the nominative and accusative singular. So the article often helps you see the case more clearly.

θα έρθουν means they will come.

It is the normal Greek way to form the future:

• θα = future particle
• έρθουν = verb form from έρχομαι (to come)

So:

• έρχονται = they come / they are coming
• θα έρθουν = they will come

This is a very common Greek pattern: θα + verb form to express the future.

Because the subject is plural: λίγοι συγγενείς = few relatives.

Since relatives is plural, the verb must also be plural:

• λίγοι συγγενείς θα έρθουν = few relatives will come

Greek verbs agree with their subject in number and person, just as English does.

Because λίγοι συγγενείς is the subject of the verb, and subjects are in the nominative case.

Here:

• λίγοι = nominative masculine plural
• συγγενείς = nominative plural

If it were a direct object, you would expect the accusative instead.

So:

• λίγοι συγγενείς θα έρθουν = few relatives will come
• the people doing the action are the relatives, so nominative is required

λίγοι literally means few.

In context, it usually means not many. Depending on tone and context, English might translate it as:

• few relatives
• only a few relatives
• sometimes a few relatives

But grammatically, λίγοι is closer to few / not many than to a strongly positive a few.

If Greek wanted a more neutral some relatives, it might use μερικοί συγγενείς.

Because Greek often leaves out the article when talking about an indefinite quantity like few relatives.

So:

• λίγοι συγγενείς = few relatives
• not the few relatives in this sentence

If the speaker meant a specific known group, the wording might be different. Here the phrase is indefinite and natural without an article.

Here γιατί means because.

It introduces the reason:

• γιατί δεν θέλουν μεγάλη γιορτή = because they do not want a big celebration

A useful point: γιατί can also mean why in questions.

• Γιατί έφυγες; = Why did you leave?
• Έφυγα γιατί κουράστηκα. = I left because I got tired.

So the same word can mean why or because, depending on the sentence.

Greek often drops subject pronouns when they are not needed, because the verb ending already shows the person and number.

• θέλουν = they want
• δεν θέλουν = they do not want

So Greek does not need to say αυτοί for they unless there is special emphasis or contrast.

As for who they are, that depends on the broader context. It could refer to the family, the parents, or some previously mentioned people. The sentence itself leaves the subject understood.

Because the adjective must agree with the noun.

• γιορτή is feminine singular
• so the adjective is also feminine singular: μεγάλη

This phrase is in the accusative singular after θέλουν, because it is the direct object:

• θέλουν μεγάλη γιορτή = they want a big celebration

So the agreement is:

• μεγάλη = feminine singular
• γιορτή = feminine singular

Because the meaning is a big celebration, not the big celebration.

Greek often omits the article when the noun is indefinite:

• θέλουν μεγάλη γιορτή = they want a big celebration
• θέλουν τη μεγάλη γιορτή would mean they want the big celebration, referring to a specific one

So no article is the natural choice here.

Yes, Greek word order is fairly flexible, although some orders sound more natural than others.

This sentence begins with Στη βάφτιση, which sets the scene first: At the baptism / christening...

Then it gives the main information:

• θα έρθουν λίγοι συγγενείς

Then the reason:

• γιατί δεν θέλουν μεγάλη γιορτή

A different order is possible, for example:

• Λίγοι συγγενείς θα έρθουν στη βάφτιση...

That is also grammatical, but the original sentence naturally emphasizes the event first.

Not always. It depends on context.

βάφτιση can refer to:

• baptism
• christening

In many everyday situations, especially when talking about a family event with guests and a celebration, English speakers may naturally say christening. In a more religious or formal context, baptism may fit better.

So the Greek word stays the same, but the most natural English choice can change with context.