Greek Easter is a significant religious holiday that takes place a week after Catholic Easter. The reason for this is that the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used by Catholics and many other parts of the world.
On Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion, a procession takes place in every village, where people carry the coffin of Jesus called an “epitaph” or “epitaphios.” The village of Pyrgos is particularly known for its Good Friday celebrations, where you can see bonfires lit on all the rooftops.
Traditionally, on Good Friday, people eat seafood instead of meat as they are supposed to fast all week. After the procession, a typical meal is a seafood dish.
On the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday, there is a late-night church service, and at midnight, the priest announces the resurrection of Christ, and fireworks light up the sky. After the service, people gather for a pre-Easter meal, where a soup made from lamb shanks is typically served.
On Easter Sunday, families gather for a roast lamb barbecue, which is a delicious and hearty meal that symbolizes the lamb of God. During the Easter period, it’s also customary to dye and decorate eggs in red, which symbolizes the blood of Christ.
Overall, Greek Easter is a time of religious observance, family gatherings, and delicious food. The traditions and customs surrounding Easter in Greece are unique and offer a fascinating insight into the country’s culture and heritage.
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