Greek Orthodox Easter (in Greece)

In Greece the Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ is more important than Christmas. Almost 98% of all Greeks are Greec-Orthodox and almost all of them are participating in Church services during Easter.

Lent

40 days before Easter Sunday the Greek Orthodox Easter starts. The start day is called "Kathara Deftera” (clean Monday) and is when the Lent starts. On this day the Greeks gather with family and friends to celebrate this almost holiday.

During Lent it is forbidden to eat meat or drink dairy products. The Lent is tough but especially older women are sticking completely to the 40 days of Lent where it can be harder for younger persons.





The Lent ends on the night of Easter Sunday where Jesus Christ resurrects.

The Easter week

The Easter week is characterized by weeks of deep grief. All fun where prohibited in the old days. Today in Greece this prohibition is almost only respected on Friday in the Easter week. A lot of young people choose to follow the rules of Lent during the last week.

Maundy Thursday

On Maundy Thursday the preparation for Easter begins. The tradition is to bake wreath-shaped cakes with various herbs and in creative designs. Other traditions with coloring eggs etc. is also carried out.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the toughest day during Easter. It is shown by also prohibit using oil (together with the other rules of the Lent). The whole day is dedicated taking Jesus Christ down from the cross, the funeral and the procession. In the evening people gather to pray for the death of Jesus Christ. By nightfall begins procession through the streets where the decking coffin can be seen and worship of all.
In the procession the cross is carried in the front, then the coffin and the priests follow. All the people following procession carries a light.

Easter Saturday

The mourning from Good Friday starts to lighten up during Easter Saturday. In the church rituals are carried out to scare away any demons who want to prevent Christ's resurrection, and thus humanity's salvation.





At home people starts to prepare for Easter Sunday. They bake bread and prepare the special Greek cheese and they slaughter labs and taps the wine.

Easter Sunday

The climax of Easter is Easter Sunday because the resurrection occurred on Saturday at midnight. All churches are filled with Greeks wearing their finest clothes. At the evening services in the church people are carrying lights. Under the service the lights gets stronger and there is a lot of noise from church bells and fireworks in the church. All this to scare the demons away. This is the culmination of Easter Sunday.

After the resurrection people takes the holy light with them home, while trusting the light healing and protective abilities. After the resurrection the family gathers to have their first dinner since the Lent started. The day then is a holiday, usually celebrated in the family. From early morning, there are busy. The men are to cook the lamb, which is being roasted. Women account for all the accessories. The mood in the morning is good and people are seeing forward to have a nice meal after 40 days of Lent.