Easter In Greece – The Short Guide To Greek Easter 2022

Here’s a little on how the Easter celebrations are in Greece and it’s Islands

Orthodox Easter, also called Pascha and Resurrection Sunday, is the oldest and most important festival in the Eastern Christian tradition, celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection (rising from the grave) following his crucifixion and death.

The rich history and old customs of Greece are often celebrated at Easter Holidays in traditional festivals and vary from village to village. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of a typical Greek celebration.

Start of Easter Celebrations

Clean Monday

In Greece, the Monday before Lent is called Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera). It’s a day when people start their Lenten fast by eating only vegan foods. Many people also take this opportunity to clean their homes from top to bottom. It’s a time to fresh start both physically and spiritually. If you ‘re in Greece during Clean Monday, you’ll see many people out and about enjoying the beautiful weather.

Lent

Lent is the 40-day period leading up to Easter. During Lent, many Greek Orthodox Christians give up certain foods or activities as a way of spiritual cleansing. The most common things to give up are meat, dairy, oil and eggs. This is a time of reflection and preparation for Easter.  During this period fasting is observed with mainly delicious Greek vegetarian/vegan dishes.

Holy Week

Painted Eggs and Easter Bread – traditional Easter

The week before Easter is ‘Holy Week’ . There are church services both morning and evening across this week. Palm Sunday – The Sunday before Easter will celebrate Christ’s entry to Jerusalem.
Thursday before good Friday – the Greeks dye eggs in a red dye which represents the blood of Christ.

Epipath being carried from the church for procession around the streets

Good Friday is a day of mourning, on that day people mainly wear black colours. In the evening people go to church, and after the service, there is a procession through the streets with people carrying the epitaph or coffin of the Lord

Easter Saturday – The whole week has focused on this day and a new hope is in the atmosphere. In all village squares throughout Kefalonia there will be a massive service, where all the villagers will congregate. To welcome in Easter Sunday, the only light that will be burning is the single flame from the candle that has been lit from the Holy flame in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem (flown in from Jerusalem)  This light will slowly be passed around to each person throughout the congregation as we head towards midnight. Each person carries a candle. The candles they carry will all have been lit from one inside the church, the “Holy Flame”. At exactly midnight  the Head priest will chant the words “Christos Anesti” (Christ has Risen).

At midnight, as the clock chimes to welcome in Easter Sunday, the locals gather and hurl firecrackers at the village church, though this may be muted this year. Tradition has it that this will ward off evil spirits for the coming year. 

Then the noise starts…The louder bangs that can be heard are the result of local lads who throw fireworks in the church bell tower. It can be ear drum piercing  but very entertaining.

Bells will ring…People will be shouting. People will carry their candles home and as they enter their homes the candles are used to make the mark of the Cross on their door before they go inside.

Easter Sunday is fairly quiet as everyone goes to bed so late in the morning.  Check out our other posts by visiting out Blog.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the last day of Easter Week. It’s a day for people to relax and enjoy the rest of their Easter celebrations. In Greece, Easter Monday is a time for going to the beach, playing games, and spending time with family and friends.

Start of Spring

Easter is associated with the beginning of spring time, when all the flowers and fauna are blossoming, the air smells alive and fresh, the skies are the best colour of the year, and the days are getting longer. Enjoy this beautiful time of year!

καλό Πάσχα - Happy Easter from all at your favourite Kefalonian Villas: Amari Villa Kefalonia - Luxury Villa in Kefalonia Greece