In Greece the orthodox Easter, which does not occur on the same day of Catholic Easter, is celebrated: this year, according to the orthodox calendar, Easter occurs on the 19th of April, but throughout the holy week (from Thursday the 16th to Sunday the 19th) Greek cities, and Athens in particular, host a number of traditional and religious events, that are going to involve all the locals. However, although it is a religious feast, also the tourists who will stay in a cheap hotel in Athens and who are not devout people will really appreciate both the atmosphere conveyed by the ceremonies that take place in churches and on streets, and the traditional dishes that are cooked in this period.

Celebrations begin on Thursday, a day that is traditionally associated with the last supper and the betrayal of Christ. In the houses people cook hard-boiled eggs, which are then dyed red (this is a symbol for Christ’s blood), and the tsoureki, the sweet bread, while churches host an important religious function, during which a statue of Christ on the cross is brought into the church while bells ring. Friday’s celebrations are more spectacular, and catch the attention of the visitors who are spending their holiday in Athens: the statue of Christ is taken down from the cross and wrapped in a white sheet called epitaphios, then the funeral of Jesus is celebrated and the epitaphios is carried in procession through the streets.

On Saturday from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem the holy fire is brought into the church of Agia Anargyroi, in Athens, hence it is brought into other Greek churches. At 11 p.m. all churches are over-crowded, and at midnight lights are turned off until the priest announces that Christ has arisen from the dead, and in that moment people lit their candles, illuminating the church, while ringing bells and fireworks create a cheerful atmosphere. After the function, people exchange greetings and go home holding their candles, creating a long and bright procession which is always appreciated also by visitors. At home, people can break the fast that had begun after the Apokreas, the last day of carnival, eating the margeritsa, a soup prepared with the intestine of the lamb that they are going to eat the next day. Sunday, indeed, is the day dedicated to the lunch with family and friends, and people eat roasted lamb, tsoureki and hard-boiled eggs.

If you want to immerse yourself in the Easter atmosphere, you can stay in one of the family-run hotels in Athens: in this way you will take part in celebrations in an active way and you will not be only a spectator!

Date: 16th – 19th April 2009

Location: Athens, Greece