Written by the 2nd Grade Junior High School students, Pouliou Kiriaki and Trantou Athina 

One of the oldest Orthodox traditions is Easter. The Greek word of Easter comes from the Hebrew word Pesach (Pascha). Orthodox Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s the greatest religious holiday of all. But how do Greeks prepare for it?On Lazarus Saturday young girls called Lazarines dress up in the traditional Lazarine costumes and go to the local church to receive a blessing from the priest. After that they dance and sing in the churchyard. Then they walk through the streets while singing. When they go to a house the housewife greets them and asks them to sing her a song. There are many songs for every occasion. For example there is a song for the housewife’s daughter and a different one for her son. After the songs are over the housewife gives the young girls gifts such as eggs or fruits. Also on that day, we bake small sweet breads called Lazarakia.

On Palm Sunday the people go to church where the priest blesses the palm leaves and gives them to the people.  Once they go home they place the palm leaves οn the icon stand. On that day we eat a type of fish called kolios.

On Holy Monday the housewives deep clean their houses. Some people start fasting from oil. On Holy Tuesday the cleaning and the preparations for Easter continue. On Holy Wednesday the mystery of the Holy anointing oil is done. On Holy Thursday we paint the eggs red. This tradition started many years ago to keep the eggs fresh since the chickens laid many eggs in spring. Also on that day we make small sweet breads called tsourekia and the Godfather of each child brings them their easter candle. On Holy Friday we decorate the Epitaphian and then it’s procession through the streets begins.

On the morning of Holy Saturday the “ first resurrection” is carried out and in the evening the Divine Liturgy for Easter is attended by lots of people. It usually ends around dawn the next day. After the Divine Liturgy we eat a soup called magiritsa. Last but not least on Easter Sunday we set the Easter table. We eat roasted lamb and crack the red eggs. The feast can last for up to three days.

Even thought many years have passed these traditions and customs still remain. They might not be the same as the older traditions but they are an evolution of them.