Happy Easter is just around the corner and you’re all set to celebrate it. If you’re planning to do so, make sure you’re doing it right! To help you out, we’ve got an extensive guide for Greek Easter 2023.
But first things first: what is Greek Easter? It’s an orthodox Christian festival that takes place on the day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, also known as Good Friday. Its purpose is to remember and rejoice in Jesus’ victory over death through resurrection. The celebration of this feast falls during Lent – a period of fasting that orthodox Christians observe before Easter – and has several rituals and traditions associated with it. So without further ado, let’s get into all the details.
What is Greek Easter?
Greek Easter, also known as Agio Pascha, is the most important religious celebration in Greece and is a symbol of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. It is celebrated on a date different from Catholic Easter and is a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Traditions of Greek Easter include eating, drinking, socializing, and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During this time, visitors to Greece can observe and participate in unique traditions such as Easter egg hunts and egg painting parties.
Greek Easter is an opportunity to experience Greek culture and try the best foods Greek cuisine has to offer. Besides, it also provides an opportunity to experience Greek religious festivities and enjoy the warm spring weather. Overall, Greek Easter serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and death and is a great way to spend time with family and friends.
When is Greek Easter 2023?
Greek Orthodox Easter 2023 is set to fall on April 16th, which falls on Sunday this year. Currently, Easter is celebrated in countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Ukraine among others that follow the calendar of the church. Good Friday falls on the 14th of April this year. Holy Saturday follows it on the 15th of April and Easter Monday is celebrated on the Sunday after that. The reason for this difference is that different countries follow different calendars when it comes to Easter and different days may be used as a holiday depending on the country.
In Greece, churches follow the calendar of the church when it comes to Easter and use different days as holidays depending on where they are.
The date of Greek Orthodox Easter 2023 can be found online or in any calendar or church book.
Greek Orthodox Easter Traditions
The orthodox Easter holiday of 2023 will be celebrated on April 16th. Good Friday and Holy Saturday will take place on April 14th and 15th, respectively. Orthodox Easter will follow on the same day as in previous years. The holiday will be marked with traditional orthodox celebrations commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
Other holidays that take place in April 2023 in Greece are Orthodox Good Friday on April 14th and Orthodox Easter Monday on April 17th. The two days mark the end of Lent and Easter, respectively. They are also known as ‘Greater Weekdays’.
The orthodox easter holiday is a day of joyous celebration among orthodox Christians. The church celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has come to save all mankind from sin and death. Thus everybody should have good hope and trust in God’s love for them.
Fasting During Lent
Greek Orthodox Easter in 2023 will take place from April 14-17, during the seven weeks of Lent, known as Sarakosti. Fasting is a traditional practice during this time and involves abstaining from certain foods, such as meat and eggs, as part of religious observance. Fasting is similar to a vegan diet, but with the addition of seafood and sometimes excluding olive oil and wine. Some people only fast during the last week of Lent, known as Megali Evdomada (Great Fast), which is when followers complete an intense period of fasting and prayer.
During this time, many people engage in additional practices to prepare for Easter and commemorate Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. This can include preparing special foods like ham or ebirda tzatziki (Greek cucumber yogurt sauce) or participating in church rituals like church services or Easter celebrations.
The first day of the weeklong celebration is Clean Monday, which is a public holiday celebrated with feasts and kite flying. On this day, followers of the Greek Orthodox Church also visit holy sites and observe public fasting.
Dyeing the Red Easter Eggs on Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday is the day Christians celebrate Easter. In Greece, red eggs are dyed using onion colorant on this day. The red color of the eggs symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ and symbolizes rebirth, resurrection, and new life.
During Holy Week, Easter bread (tsoureki) is also baked. This is a type of cake containing eggs, honey, nuts, and flour that is popular in some parts of Greece. Tsurikis are served during the Easter season with coffee or tea after dinner to celebrate the occasion. Flowers are taken to church to decorate a representation of the body of Christ during Good Friday.
As part of Holy Week celebrations, children dress up in costumes and participate in various events. These include egg-rolling contests, parades featuring religious characters, and reading Easter stories.
In Greece today, red dye is primarily used to paint eggs and ready-made red eggs are available in supermarkets and street markets.
Baking Easter Sweets – Tsoureki and Koulourakia
Tsoureki is a traditional sweet bread made with flour, butter, eggs, sugar, milk, and spices. It is an important Easter tradition in Greece, and children often participate in making it. It is often decorated with a red egg and is one of the main dishes served during the family feast on Easter Sunday. Making Tsoureki is part of a range of Easter traditions in Greece. People commonly bake it in large pans and decorate it with eggs, candy pieces, and colored sprinkles. The iconic Tsoureki of Greece is made of mava (black sesame) flour and has raisins or currants on top. In some regions of Greece, mava cake is served with honey or condensed milk to make a unique dessert.
You can find tsoureki recipes online for a tasty start to your Easter celebrations. You can also try making it at home by following the steps given in the recipes.
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The Epitafios Procession on Good Friday
On Good Friday, churches in Greece hold an Epitafios procession for mourning the death of Jesus. The Epitafios is a wooden construction covered with a cloth and decorated with gold and silver, depicting Jesus’s dead body. On some Greek islands, like Tinos, it is taken into the sea to bless the water. In Cyprus, people bring flowers to church to decorate the Epitafios before the procession. Some churches also include a crucifixion scene in the Epitafios, which shows Jesus being crucified on a wooden cross.
The procession features musicians and floats carrying symbols of grief such as candles, flowers, and certificates of condolence. Participants wear black clothing and carry pens and notes to remember Jesus’ life and death. The Epitafios is generally followed by church services and lunch or dinner at a church community service center or church hall.
The Anastasi (Resurrection) on Easter Saturday
On Easter Saturday, Christians worldwide celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is a pivotal moment in Christian history, and it is one of the most important events in the world’s religious calendar.
The first day of Easter is known as Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras in some parts of the world. On this day, people gather outside churches and synagogues to watch a sunrise ceremony and participate in spring festivities.
This day is marked by bonfires, egg hunting, and other activities that are symbolic of springtime. Many people also wear costumes or dress up for this day. After the sunrise ceremony is over, people visit friends and family during a traditional meal called ‘Easter dinner’. The Holy Light, which symbolizes the Resurrection of Jesus, is taken from Jerusalem at midnight and spread among congregants as they light their candles.
People exchange kisses on the cheek while saying “Christos Anesti” (or “Christ has risen”) and “Alithos Anesti” (or “He has truly risen”). This phrase translates to “Jesus has risen” and “He has truly risen” respectively.
After the church service concludes, people celebrate with family and friends at an Easter celebration dinner.
Cracking the Red Eggs
In Greece, Easter is one of the most important holidays. For Greeks, it is a day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Cracking red eggs is a traditional game during this holiday, which occurs on Easter Sunday in April of 2023.
Red eggs are traditionally dyed with a colorant made from onion peel, though they can now be bought pre-dyed or decorated with stickers or tree leaf patterns. The orthodox Easter Sunday is not a public holiday in Greece, and businesses are open on this day.
The cracking of the shell symbolizes Jesus’s breakthrough resurrection from the dead, and the color red symbolizes his blood. It is also a day for family reunions and celebrating life to honor Christ’s resurrection.
A special bread called tsoureki is often served alongside red eggs, as it symbolizes that God has provided us with all we need in this world.
How to Say Happy Easter in Greek
“Happy Easter” is the Greek phrase for “Happy Easter.” You may hear this phrase spoken in Greece during Easter celebrations, church services, and on television and radio broadcasts.
The expression Christos Anesti (Greek for “Christ is risen”) is often used to conclude the service of Easter and the day of resurrection. Alithos Anesti (Greek for “regeneration has come”) is another common expression that can be seen on church signs and banners during Easter festivities.
During Easter celebrations, people also crack eggs on their doorsteps to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They also read the phrase Christos Anesti or Alithos Anesti at various points of the day to reflect on Jesus’ resurrection. The traditional Greek Easter bread is called tsoureki and is made of wheat flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and other fillings such as nuts or chocolate chips. It’s often decorated with red eggs or colorful sprinkles or decorations. Greek Easter festivities last for a few days and include special church services, family gatherings, and outdoor activities such as picnics and barbecues.
Agio Pascha (Greek for “holy Passover”)is a term used to describe the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection in Greek Orthodox churches around the world. It typically lasts for four days and includes special services and meals centered around remembering Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary.
Conclusion:
While you can expect a feast of eggs, easter eggs, and Easter-themed treats and crafts, you can also pick up some of the Greek rituals and traditions that come with it. If you’re celebrating Greek Easter in 2023, these are some things you should know. You can try making Tsoureki or Koulourakia for your family to celebrate the day. Happy Easter!
