In Greece, Easter is the main religious celebration of the year. Although the Greek Orthodox church usually celebrates Easter at a different time to Western Christianity, this year the two celebrate at the same time, with Good Friday falling on April 18 and Easter Sunday on April 20 throughout the Christian world.

Greek Easter is filled with rich and colourful traditions, including the decorating of the epitaphios (icons), attending church, public bonfires, fireworks at midnight, and most of all, family feasts of lamb, the traditional meat of Easter. The lamb is often depicted on a banner that bears a crucifix, known as the Agnus Dei, meaning “Lamb of God” in Latin.

A fun tradition during the celebrations involves the hard-boiling of eggs. These are painted red and struck against the eggs of friends. The owner of the last uncracked egg is considered to be graced by luck for the rest of the year. As in other Christian countries, chocolate Easter eggs, a wide range of other celebratory confectionary and seasonal decorations are in abundance in the shops prior to the festivities.

Traditionally Magiritsa soup (lamb offal with cos lettuce, garnished with fresh herbs and finished off with an egg lemon sauce), is eaten on Saturday, with lamb roasted on the spit and Kokoresti (lamb or goat intestines wrapped around offal).

On Easter Sunday, family and friends gather for the main Easter meal, which typically includes roasted lamb, a range of different salads and Mezedakia (small plate foods). On the day, there is a scent of spring and delicious foods in the air across the entire country.

Tavernas, restaurants and bars stay open throughout the weekend, but the vast majority of shops and businesses are closed on Easter Sunday and Monday, with limited opening hours on Good Friday.

Easter Greetings in Greek

In general, Greeks start to wish each other Kalo Pascha (pronounced Kalo Paska), meaning ‘Happy Easter’, after Palm Sunday (this year on April 13). However, they don’t use the wish when they meet, but when they part.

Before Resurrection, until Saturday midnight, the greeting is Καλή Ανάσταση! (kali anastasi) ‘Happy Resurrection’ and/or Καλό Πάσχα! (Kalo Pascha).

After midnight, the greeting is Χριστός Ανέστη! (Christos Anesti), ‘Christ is Risen’!

To Christ is Risen one answers Aληθώς ανέστη! (alithos anesti), ‘Truly He is Risen’!

If all these wishes are too complicated to keep in mind, just wish Χρόνια Πολλά! (Chronia Polla), ‘Many Years’ (wishing well being for the future).