Greek Easter Fun Facts – Celebrating In Style In 2023
Amazing Greek Easter Tradition ESL worksheet by LILIAAMALIA from www.eslprintables.comIntroduction Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the Greek Orthodox Church. It is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm, and there are many unique traditions and customs that are followed. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most interesting Greek Easter fun facts that you may not have known before. 1. Easter is the Most Celebrated Holiday in Greece In Greece, Easter is the most celebrated holiday of the year. It is even more important than Christmas. Greeks take the holiday seriously and spend weeks preparing for it. 2. Easter is Celebrated with Food and Wine One of the most important parts of Greek Easter celebrations is food and wine. Greeks prepare a variety of traditional dishes, such as lamb, kokoretsi, and magiritsa. They also drink wine and ouzo, a traditional Greek drink. 3. The Egg is a Symbol of Resurrection Eggs are an important symbol of Easter, and this is also true in Greece. Greeks dye eggs red to symbolize the blood of Christ. They also play a game where they crack eggs against each other, with the person whose egg remains uncracked being the winner. 4. The Holy Fire The Holy Fire is an important part of the Greek Easter celebrations. It is a ceremony held on Holy Saturday, where the Patriarch of Jerusalem lights a candle from the Holy Sepulchre, which is then passed on to the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. The flame is then brought to Greece, and it is used to light candles in every Greek Orthodox Church in the country. 5. The Epitaphios Procession On Good Friday, a procession is held in every Greek Orthodox Church in Greece. The procession is called the Epitaphios, and it involves carrying a decorated bier with the image of Christ’s body. The procession is accompanied by chanting and hymns. 6. The Anastasi Resurrection Service The Anastasi Resurrection service is held on Saturday night. At midnight, the church lights are turned off, and the priest announces that Christ has risen. The church bells ring, and the worshippers light candles from the Holy Fire. The service is followed by a feast with family and friends. 7. The Great Lent The Great Lent is a period of fasting that lasts for 40 days before Easter. During this time, Greeks abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs. They also attend church services and participate in other religious activities. 8. The Tsougrisma Game The Tsougrisma game is played on Easter Sunday. It involves two people holding an egg each and tapping them against each other. The winner is the person whose egg remains uncracked. 9. Easter Bread Easter bread is a traditional Greek Easter food. It is called tsoureki and is made with flour, eggs, sugar, and yeast. It is flavored with mahlab, a spice made from cherry pits, and mastiha, a resinous spice from the mastic tree. 10. The Red Cloth on the Cross On Good Friday, a red cloth is draped over the cross in the Greek Orthodox Church. The cloth symbolizes the blood of Christ, and it is a reminder of the sacrifice that he made for humanity. Conclusion Greek Easter is a time of great celebration and joy. It is a time for families and friends to come together and enjoy traditional food, wine, and customs. This year, as we celebrate Easter in 2023, let us remember the true meaning of the holiday and the sacrifice that Christ made for us. Happy Easter! ...