The Ximex Team wish everyone a very Happy Easter and to those who do not celebrate this Christian Holiday, we wish you peace.
EASTER TIME : GREEK STYLE
Easter is celebrated throughout the world, but is also celebrated in different ways according to different cultures and religious beliefs. Let’s take a look at the rich traditions of the Greeks.
Easter is celebrated in highly devout atmosphere, across every corner of Greece, and by Greeks in all segments of the world. It is a glorious day for Greeks since the resurrection of Christ coincides with the most beautiful phase of spring in Greece. Flowers are blossoming, the trees are greener than ever and every echelon of nature seems to be celebrating along with the people.
One of the oldest Easter traditions of Greek Orthodox Christians are the red dyed eggs, which are associated with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
The egg’s shell symbolizes the empty rock tomb from which Jesus arose after his crucifixion. It is used as a universal means of greeting and presentation for Christian believers, while also foretelling the eternal life experience which awaits true believers after death.
The choice of red goes back to early Christians, who stained eggs red in memory of the blood of Jesus, who was crucified for the salvation of all mankind.
One connects Mary Magdalene to the red Easter eggs custom, as being the first person to have seen the empty tomb of Jesus after his resurrection. She went to the Roman Emperor to inform him of the miracle. However, the Emperor didn’t believe what he was told and announced that he would only believe the claims of Mary Magdalene if the eggs in a basket next to him would turn red instantly, which they did.
Tsoureki (τσουρέκι in Greek) is the traditional sweet bread Greeks make every year on Holy Thursday and eat it on Easter Sunday.
Early in the morning on Holy Thursday, women start elaborately kneading the tsoureki. Some decorate it with nuts and sugar. Depending on the shape and the area of Greece, tsoureki takes different names like “kofinia,” “kalathakia,” “doksaria,” “avgoulas,” “koutsouna,” “kouzounakia” and so on. The most common shape is the braid.
The braids and knots though have their origin in the pagan times, when certain shapes of the bread were meant to chase evil spirits away.
Tradition has it that the tsoureki symbolizes the Resurrection of Christ and rebirth in general as the flour is molded into shape and takes life as it transforms into bread. Then, the red-painted egg that is usually placed on top symbolizes the blood of Jesus.
Breads similar to the tsoureki were made in the Byzantine times. They were called “kollyrides” and they were the special breads of Easter. They also had different shapes and had a red egg in the middle.
Today, tsoureki has become an all-year-round pastry as it comes in various versions such as filled or covered with chocolate and nuts, filled with custard, dipped in syrup and so on.
On Good Friday, millions of Orthodox Christians commemorate the events leading up to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. For the Greek Orthodox Church, Good Friday is a day of mourning. The drama of Jesus Christ’s death is followed with great devoutness. The icon of Jesus is taken off the cross, wrapped in linen and put it in the Epitaph, symbolizing his tomb.
Late at night, the Epitaph is carried across every Greek town, village or neighborhood, followed by a procession of faithful. In some occasions, a band or choir follows the procession and plays or sings solemn music to express people’s sorrow. The Epitaph is followed by cantors, clergy members, women bearing myrrh and altar boys carrying the liturgical fans. Throughout the procession, people scatter flowers and perfume on the Epitaph, while holding lit candles in their hands
Greece is a country full of cultural and religious traditions, many of which continue to be celebrated and recognized throughout the world – and one celebration which is a bit of both is Clean Monday or “Kathari Deftera. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that Greeks celebrate one of the most important days of the year.
Clean Monday involves eating a feast which commences the 40-day period of Lent, or “Sarakosti” for the Eastern Orthodox church.
The celebrations for Clean Monday always coincide with the first day of the 7th week before Orthodox Easter Sunday. The preceding Sunday people start off by attending a special evening service, asking for forgiveness to start off the Lent period with a clear conscious and clean soul.
Also, Clean Monday brings to an end the Carnival celebrations that take place for around one month throughout the country in the time period leading up to the beginning of Lent.
Food is also an important part of the Clean Monday celebration as Greeks participate in the traditional Orthodox Lent which forbids the consumption of meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.
Where-ever you are celebrating, Happy Easter – Kalo Pascha.