Greeks love Easter—even the agnostics and atheists. The rites surrounding it are lovely, at a time of the year when nature is at its best.
The culmination of a week of special church services is the mass celebrating the resurrection, at midnight on the saturday. Unfortunately, at most churches celebrations are riotous, with fireworks and crackers going off even during the service—and cars going past sounding their horns.
Thus we were delighted to discover a completely different atmosphere at a nearby church where we’d never been before. Families and friends had gathered and small children ran about despite the late hour. Everyone sang together.
The holy light passes from one candle to another, and each family carries one lit candle home, to bless their house.
And of course, Easter involves lots of food: lamb cooked in a variety of ways, red eggs to be cracked against each other, a special sweet bread called tsoureki. (I had wriiten about Easter customs in a previous post:
https://athensletters.com/2016/05/01/celebrating-greek-easter/.)
To all Greek friends, Χριστός Ανέστη.
Letters from Athens 
A very happy Greek Easter to you and your family, Marina. Ours is only a memory now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Absolutely beautiful. Thank you 😊
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Χριστός Ανέστη και τού χρόνου.
Beautiful pictures.
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Αναστήθηκε όπως είπε. Lovely to read about an Easter that doesn’t involve chocolate or bunnies, for a change!
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Happy Easter , it all looks beautiful 💜💜
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Happy Greek Easter!
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It sounds lovely! I like the tradition of the candle lighting and carrying it home to bless their homes. Happy Greek Easter!
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AX – I miss Greece!
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This is lovely, Marina. Thank you for sharing your Greek Easter.
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Dear Marina,
Greetings from San Diego area. Ilona and I think of you often with lots of love. We send you best wishes for a very happy and loving Easter.
Geia Sou, Ilona and Franklin
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