EASTER SUNDAY

CHRISTOS ANESTI - CHRIST IS RISEN

ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ ΣΕ ΟΛΟΥΣ -- ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYBODY -- CHRIST IS RISEN!

      Today is Easter! Christ has Risen and the decorated Epitaphios is less prominent now: it is empty, except for a sign which says 'He is Risen; He is not here'.
     
      In the Greek Orthodox faith, Easter is the most significant religious observation of the year. There is a widespread over joyous feeling and combined with the "resurrection" of the nature, hence it's spring, makes this day a really glorious one.

     Even the computerized signs on the front of the city buses have a message. On Saturday it was 'Kali Anastasi' (Literally: 'Good Resurrection'); on Sunday it is 'Kalo Pascha' – 'Happy Easter'.
      As Greeks always do, today celebrations overflow with traditional entertainment and foods!



lamb and kokoretsi

       There are many interesting and different customs related to the feast of Easter, taking place all over Greece but the most important

 tradition of this day is the gathering of the families and the roasting of the lamb or goat on the spit (rotisserie-style). Greeks do that in their front yards, their back yards or even out in the streets, it is always over charcoal fires in the open air. There is an aromatic smoke rising from the many roasting lambs all over Greece.

     At dawn (or even earlier) on Easter Sunday, the spits are set to work, and the grills are fired up. Lamb or goat on the spit and kokoretsi are the traditional meats for this day. Kokoretsi is made from the internal organs of the lamb, arranged on a skewer and cooked over the hot coals. It is traditionally served as a starter.

           

      While that happens outdoors, indoors, ovens are filled with traditional accompaniments (potatoes with lemon and oregano) and several salads, appetizers, and dips are made, f.e. the famous tzatziki (cucumber sauce), cheeses (feta and others), olives, etc. There's also, the tsourekia and koulouria and red eggs. Greek wines, ouzo, and other drinks flow freely, and preparations for the meal turn into festive celebrations that involve dancing and singing even before the eating begins. The festivities often last long into the night.




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    Tomorrow is Easter Monday, another national holiday when everything is closed. The festivities wil have subsided (a bit) and it's a day to take things slowly, and certainly a day filled with delicious leftovers!