The Greek Easter Traditions and Customs

Society

The Greek Easter Traditions and Customs

May 4, 2024

(YORGOS KONTARINIS/EUROKINISSI)

The unique customs and traditions of Orthodox Easter are many and varied throughout Greece. Heralding the rebirth of nature and spirit, the customs and traditions are a vibrant part of Greek culture and are rich in meaning and symbolism.

Resurrection Sunday, Pascha, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and rose from the dead after three days on Easter Sunday. Preparations for the Orthodox Easter culminate toward the end of Holy Week, the time between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday which marks the end of Great and Holy Lent, the 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance. The 50-day period following Easter is called Eastertide and ends with Pentecost Sunday.

Easter in Greece is also the celebration of spring with festivities deeply rooted in tradition and featuring delicious foods served throughout the Greek countryside and the islands.

Family gatherings from Crete to Macedonia highlight Easter customs symbolizing the rebirth of the spirit and nature. Even in today’s modern society, centuries-old traditions are kept alive and passed down to the younger generations. Families are expected to be together, so many people travel across the country to celebrate Easter with their loved ones. Greece at Easter time is special in so many ways and there are many places of exquisite beauty to visit with a festive and traditional atmosphere for locals and visitors alike to experience and enjoy.

The Easter feast is a reflection of tradition combined with the seasonality of Greek cuisine. Slow-roasted whole lambs on the spit, red Easter eggs, braided sweet bread – ‘tsoureki’, Easter soup- ‘magiritsa’, and grilled tripe-roll – ‘kokoretsi’, are among the classic Easter dishes enjoyed throughout the country. Local specialties like the traditional ‘mastelo’ lamb roast on the island of Siphnos, Lazarakia for the Saturday of Lazarus in Astypalaia, and Zakynthian traditional kouloura cake are among the many delightful traditional Greek foods of the Easter holiday season.

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