If you're in Greece how you can miss the jubilant Easter in Greece! In fact this is the best time to be in this country for the weather is also very warm and temperate. The Greeks are known all over the world for their religious faith in Orthodox Christianity. Greek Orthodox Easter is the main event as according to the ancient Greek religious calendar. The Easter Sunday is called "Megali Evdomada" - Big Week.
Most events are centered on the church festivities and Megali Paraskevi apparently known as Good Friday. Easter celebrations in Greece do not happen on the Holy Week. It rather begins with Apokreas, which is to also known as 'Mardi gras' in some parts of Europe and referred as Carnival by the Catholics
The ancient land of Greece has from time to time witnessed great cultural invasions. Hence, one of the prominent Easter customs in Greece is that the women folk of every household clean the exterior of the house, dye eggs in red, buy news shoes, clothes and personalized candles are gifted to the kids. During Good Friday, known as 'Epitaphio' in Greek, the tomb of Christ is decorated with thousands of flowers and is taken out of the church and carried away through the streets followed by a slow procession. At the cemetery everyone lights a candle in honor of their loved oneS who are dead. The main highlight of Easter celebrations in Greece is that on the midnight of Holy Saturday (Megalo Savato), the priest turns off all the lights of the church, symbolizing the darkness and silent of the tomb; then he lights a candle from the Eternal Flame and sings “Christos Anesti” (Christ arises) and presents the candle to the people present in the church. Everyone passes the flame one to another while the priests sing the Byzantine Chant Christos Anesti. The church bells thus ring continuously while fleets of ship blow horns around and the major streets of Athens, Saronic and Pellon are beautifully illuminated with floodlights.
Easter festivities in Greece is celebrated with huge fanfare by flying kites and making traditional recipes like 'hiroméri', 'Magirítsa', 'Tsouréki', 'Lambropsomo' ,and a whole spiced lamb without which the Greek Easter dinner table remains incomplete. Since majority of the schools, government offices and business establishments are closed during this period, people visit and enjoy the popular Easter holiday destinations like the picturesque Acropolis hill in Athens, the charming Greek Island of Santorini widely famous for its impressive range of mountains and exotic beaches and the majestic Ionian Islands.
Thus, with great festivities during Easter, Greece is the place you would definitely want to be. Here's wishing all the readers---- Xroniá Pollá! Best Easter Wishes! And Kaló Pásxa! Happy Easter!
Keep navigating Christmas Carnivals for varied details on Easter in Greece.
|
