In today's episode you will learn about Greek Orthodox Easter and how we celebrate it in Greece. Emily and Danae will first engage in a conversation about the celebrations and then will explain the importance of Easter in Greece and the different traditions.
E: Danae, did you know that Easter is one of the biggest celebrations in Greece?
D: Yes! I’ve heard that Easter in Greece is very special. What do you usually do?
E: Every place has its own customs, but the main ones are common for everyone. It all starts with Holy Week. Each day has its own significance, but Good Friday is very important.
D: Right! That’s when the procession of the Epitaphios takes place, isn’t it?
E: Exactly! On Good Friday evening, we follow the Epitaphios through the streets, holding candles.
D: And what about Holy Saturday?
E: On Holy Saturday, just before midnight, everyone goes to church for the Resurrection. When the priest says “Christ is Risen,” we light our candles with the Holy Light, the bells ring, and in many places there are fireworks too.
D: And then you crack the red eggs, right?
E: Yes! Cracking the eggs is one of the most fun traditions. And of course, afterwards we eat magiritsa!
D: Magiritsa… that’s the soup you eat after the Resurrection, right?
E: Exactly! It’s a traditional soup made with various kinds of meat and greens. Some people love it, others not so much!
D: And on Easter Sunday everyone eats lamb on the spit!
E: Yes! We gather with family and friends, roast lamb and kokoretsi, and dance traditional dances.
D: That sounds wonderful! Do you also have traditional Easter sweets?
E: Of course! Tsourekia and koulourakia are the most well-known.
D: What’s tsoureki?
E: It’s a sweet and fluffy bread with aromatic spices like mahlepi and mastiha.
D: I definitely have to try that! But usually, people celebrate Easter in the villages, right?
E: Right, many people leave the cities and go to their villages to celebrate with relatives. The atmosphere there is even more traditional and festive!
D: How lovely! I’d really like to celebrate Easter in a Greek village too.
E: We can celebrate together! This year, in fact, Orthodox and Catholic Easter fall on the same day. So we can go to my village together. What do you say?
D: Do you think I can still make it?
E: Absolutely! Come on, get ready
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