The person who cracks the eggs of all other players is declared the winner. The first person must tap the end of their egg against the other player's egg. One person says " Christos Anesti" and the other person replies " Alithos Anesti" (Indeed He has risen). Players grab an egg with the goal of cracking their opponent's egg. A common tradition during Greek Easter is a game called tsougrisma, which is played using the red dyed previously made on Holy Thursday. On Easter Sunday, a feast of roast lamb or goat is eaten, along with tradition Greek foods, such as tzatziki, spanakotyropita and Greek wine, ouzo. Millions of Greeks flock to churches around the country this week to celebrate Easter, the country's foremost religious celebration. Worshippers will carry their white candles, lit with the Eternal Flame, to their homes.Ī young pilgrim of the Greek Orthodox Church lights a candle before the Easter Resurrection Service in Ierapetra, Greece, the southernmost town of Europe, on April 16, 2017. As the clock strikes midnight, the priest will announce " Christos Anesti," or "Christ is risen." The candles are lit just before midnight with the Eternal Flame, which is kept at the altar. Special white candles, known as labatha, are used during the Service of the Resurrection.
Preparations for the Easter feast begin on Holy Saturday and a midnight Service of the Resurrection is attended by all, even children.
The following day, on Holy Saturday, a military jet transports the Eternal Flame to Greece, where it is distributed to priest who will take the flame to local churches. These traditional foods, which can only be boiled in water and seasoned with vinegar, include beans or thin soups such as tahinosoupa, which is made with tahini.įlowers are taken to church to decorate the Epitaphio, a symbolic representation of Christ, during a Service of Lamentation. It is the one day during the year that the Devine Liturgy is not read during church.Īccording to The Spruce, many devout people do not cook on Good Friday or will only make simple, traditional foods. During Good Friday, Eastern Christians will mourn, fast and not work. Preparations for Easter begin on Holy Thursday, when Easter bread, or tsoureki, is made and eggs are dyed red as a symbol of the blood of Christ.Ī period of mourning begins during church services on the evening of Holy Thursday and continue throughout Good Friday. Like the Western Easter, Greek Easter continues the fasting of Lent throughout Holy Week and ends on Greek Easter Sunday. This year Greek Orthodox Easter lands on April 8, 2018. George church in central Beirut, Lebanon April 16, 2017. Lebanese Christian priests distribute painted eggs to celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter after an Easter service at St.