29/11/2023
Stay with us over Greek Orthodox Easter (30th April - 7th May) and observe and participate in our unique traditions. ππ―ππ₯ππ»π₯
Easter is a great opportunity for Greeks to rejoice, eat, drink, socialize and be merry. If you want to get a little closer to the Greek culture, visiting over Easter is perfect.
On Holy Thursday, women traditionally dye the eggs using a colorant produced from onion peel. This gave the eggs a deep red color, which is symbolic of the blood of Jesus Christ. They also prepare two types of Easter sweets β Tsoureki and Koulourakia.
On the evening of Good Friday, every church in Greece mourns the death of Jesus, and organizes an Epitafios procession. The Epitafios is a wooden construction covered with a piece of precious cloth, often adorned in gold and silver. It depicts the dead body of Jesus, and is usually decorated with flower petals.
During this ceremony, the Epitafios is carried around every single town and village in Greece. People follow the procession around the neighbourhood, carrying candles.
The procession begins and ends at the church, and itβs a uniquely solemn event. On some Greek islands, like Tinos, the Epitafios is carried into the sea, to protect the sailors and bless the water.
It is definitely worth attending a procession if you are interested in Greek culture and traditions. In Rhodes, many people gather in the nearby village of Afandou to watch the procession.
On Holy Saturday in Rhodes, late in the evening, people gather outside the churches, in expectation of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which we call Anastasi in Greek. Our nearest church for Midnight Mass is Koimisis Theotokou Church in the centre of Afandou Village off the main square.
The Holy Light, which signifies the Resurrection, arrives from Jerusalem. Exactly at midnight, the flame quickly spreads among the crowd as everyone in the congregation lights their candle.
People kiss each other on the cheek, repeating the phrases βChristos Anestiβ (Jesus has risen) and βAlithos Anestiβ (He has truly risen).
A solemn event that is now one of joy, and is accompanied by loud chiming bells and plenty of fireworks and firecrackers.
Everyone then returns home, holding their lit candles. It is customary to make a cross out of candle smoke on the ceiling, just above the entrance door. This symbolizes the fact that Christ is risen from the dead.
Once home it is time for the cracking of the Red Eggs. Each person choose one or two eggs for the game. One person holds their egg in their hand, and the other person tries to break the egg saying the phrase βChristos Anestiβ. The response is βAlithos Anestiβ.
The person who is left with the only uncracked egg is the winner, and will have good luck for the next year to come. In the end, everyone gets to eat their eggs.
Cracking the eggs is symbolic of the Resurrection of Jesus, and the eternal life.
Greeks then have a traditional midnight meal, called Magiritsa or Mayiritsa.
Easter Sunday is feast day! After the long period of Lent, itβs time for Greeks to go back to one of the countryβs favourite foods β meat.
Greek Easter food is intrinsically tied to feasting on lamb and goat on the spit. This is prepared on Easter Sunday everywhere around Greece. Many towns and villages have designated areas where people cook several lambs and goats, for many hours.
Our Easter Sunday traditions begin early in the morning and continue until late in the evening. A proper Easter table also has potatoes, salads, various pies and the red Easter eggs. Not to mention wine, beer, and more Greek drinks. This is a good chance to listen to some traditional Greek folk music and try some dancing!
Why not book a last minute family holiday and visit our many villages to observe and participate in our unique traditions, it really is a fantastic time of year to visit.
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