The "Lambrí" or
"Splendid" as Easter is also known, is the greatest celebration for
the greeks. This year I had the opportunity to enjoy Easter in Greece, and it
is a celebration that does not coincide with the Catholic one, because it is
governed by the Gregorian calendar and the Orthodox church by the Julian
calendar. This year I can saw it in the little village called Kokkinohoma
(place where I live and it is near to Kavala), where I can see this celebration
in a more traditional way, and see how this festival is intrinsically part of greek
culture.
After Quaresma, it was Kazará
Deftera (Ash Monday, Clean Monday or Pure Monday), the greeks prepare to
celebrate Orthodox Easter. Little by little and as the week progresses after
Palm Sunday, the level of intensity of daily life is decreasing. Most
restaurants and taverns begin to close on Holy Thursday, the day on which the
Easter preparation begins. It is also the time when the famous Easter eggs are
prepared. These are cooked and painted red and reserved for Saturday night
dinner. The custom dictates that each one has to take an egg and try to break
that of the others, while repeating Jristós
Anesti (Christ has risen), which symbolizes the breaking of the tomb of
Jesus. Who breaks more eggs ensures good fortune for the rest of the year. This
date is usually used to make the traditional tsoureki, the spongy and sweet Easter bun, and the famous Easter
cookies (kulurakia).
Holy Friday (April 26) is a day
full of emotion, women and men go to church with flowers to decorate the coffin
of Christ, in the morning the burial of Jesus takes place, and in the afternoon
it is the procession of Epitaphs walking the streets. This day is the one that
symbolizes the descent of the cross and the burial of Jesus.
Holy Saturday, the Anastasis
(the resurrection of Christ), is a reason for joy that begins when the clock
strikes midnight. The greeks sing the hymn "Christos Anesti" (Christ has risen) and exchange good omens
before tasting the traditional late supper with mayiritsa made with vegetables
and the intestines of the lamb that, the next day, will be roasted for the
paschal meal.
Resurrection Sunday is the day
in which the typical roasts are prepared to the skewer, Arní Stin Souvla (lamb skewer) and Kokoretsi (livers of lamb rolled in intestines). From the first
hour of the day the gardens of the houses gave off the smell of lamb meat.
As Easter is the happiest of
Greek holidays, food is at the center of all festivities. It is also a great
occasion for meetings and family reunions and friends, special meals, long
gatherings around the table and, finally, it is time to exchange good omens and
strengthen the links between people.
It is enjoyed, eats, drinks and
shares in what was the culmination of one of the most important celebrations of
the greek calendar, the Orthodox Easter. Surely, it is worth living this
experience in which religious festivity and spiritual fervor are mixed with
popular tradition and if you can be surrounded by family and friends.
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