English

Easter Customs in Greece!!!

The Greek Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. On this day, churches are adorned with palms. Holy Monday marks the peak of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting starting from Clean Monday. On Holy Tuesday, we go to church and hear the hymn of Kassiani. Holy Wednesday is celebrated in the church and the priest makes a cross on the face of every Christian with oil. On Maundy Thursday we have the kneading of the Easter Greek tsoureki bun – a type of brioche bread- and the painting of the eggs. Children often paint colorful eggs. Late at night, the church ladies and young girls decorate the Epitaph with flowers. At noon on Good Friday Christ's Deposition takes place and in the evening the Procession of the Epitaph is celebrated. On Holy Saturday, at night, we go to church to hear and chant "Christ has Risen". We light our candles, kiss our relatives and friends, and head home to savour the traditional mageiritsa soup and to crack our eggs. On Easter Sunday, we skewer the lamb and have a great celebration with our relatives and friends.

Leave a Reply