Orthodox Easter
Believers gather to celebrate Christ’s resurrection, finding hope and joy. It is the most important feast in the Orthodox Christian calendar, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Easter falls on a different date than Western Easter because the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, happening one to five weeks later.
Holy Week and Pascha
Holy Week, the week leading up to Orthodox Easter, is a time of intense religious observance and reflection. Every day, services commemorate the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
The most solemn and important service of Holy Week is the Paschal vigil, held on Saturday night. During this service, the faithful gather in darkness to await the resurrecting Christ, which is announced by the lighting of candles and the joyful ringing of bells.
Orthodox Easter Traditions
Generations have passed down unique customs and traditions, making Easter one of Greece’s most significant religious celebrations. From the elaborate preparations to the joyful festivities, Easter in Greece is a time of great importance and reverence for the Greek Orthodox Church.
Preparations
In the weeks before Pascha, Greeks engage in a period of fasting and spiritual reflection known as Lent, which has a duration of forty days. This period is marked by abstaining from certain foods and activities, such as increased prayer and meditation.
Traditional Foods
On Easter Sunday, Greeks enjoy a feast of traditional foods to mark the end of Lent. One of the most iconic dishes is tsoureki, a sweet bread flavored with orange zest and aromatic spices. Another popular dish is lamb roasted on a spit, symbolizing the sacrifice of Christ.
Midnight Resurrection
Service One of the most expected events of Easter in Greece is the midnight Resurrection service on Holy Saturday. The faithful fill churches throughout the country to witness the priest’s declaration, “Christ has risen!” The lighting of candles and the joyful singing of hymns follows this announcement.
Red Eggs and Traditional Games
Another beloved tradition in Greece is the cracking of red eggs. Families dye hard-boiled eggs red to represent the blood of Christ and then take part in a friendly competition to see whose egg will remain untracked. Games and music accompany this tradition, creating a festive atmosphere.
Burning Judas
The collective consciousness of the Greek people has ingrained Judas, who betrayed Jesus for “thirty pieces of silver,” as the epitome of betrayal, ingratitude, and malice. His treacherous actions are the origin of phrases like “The kiss of Judas” and “Ungrateful like Judas”.
As exemplary punishment for Judas’ wrongdoing, it is traditional to set his effigy on fire immediately after Jesus’s resurrection on Holy Saturday night or Easter Sunday. The focus of the ritual is the creation of Judas’s effigy using cloth, straw, and wood to ensure its burning is visually impressive and impactful.
Conclusion
Easter in Greece keeps a deep religious significance and cultural richness. Unique customs and traditions preserved for centuries mark the holiday. From the solemn observances of Lent to the joyous celebrations of Easter Sunday, this holiday provides a window into the spiritual and communal life of the Greek people.
Whether attending the midnight Resurrection service or sharing a festive meal with loved ones, Easter in Greece is an experience that combines faith, tradition, and community in a truly impactful manner.
By Porto Planet