GREEK CHRISTMAS &

EASTER TRADITIONS
(Dimitri Georgiades)

LETS START WITH CHRISTMAS

On Christmas Eve, children travel from house to house offering good

wishes and singing kalanda. There are many types of kalanda and the
children usually receive a small gift of money.

It is said that the Kalikatzaroi are goblins that emerge from the center of
the earth and slip into people's homes through the fireplace. They are
harmful. They are believed to do things such as extinguish fires, ride on
people's backs and sour the milk. Greek families leave a fire burning to
protect themselves.

Melomakarona

Xristopsomo

Kourampiedes

These are Greek Christmas Recipes

GREEK EASTER TRADITIONS

HOLY THURSDAY
Tsoureki and
red eggs

Koulouraki
a

Holy Thursday is a day of baking and the dyeing of dozens of boiled eggs red to
symbolize the blood of Christ. Young children happily join their mothers and
grandmothers in the preparation of making the Koulourakia and the Tsoureki.
Holy Thursday is the saddest day of the Easter celebrations as it marks the day of
Christs crucifixion. People visit their churches to light candles and to pray. Its a day of
mourning and church services are held throughout the country in the evenings.

HOLY FRIDAY

On Holy Friday, church bells toll all over the country and are a reminder of Christs crucifixion.
During this period of mourning, afternoon church services are held and after a re-enactment of the
crucifixion, the figure of Christ is removed from the cross and placed in a shrine decorated by
women and children with carnations and roses.
In the evening, the shrine representing Christs tomb is carried through the neighborhood in a
funeral procession and the people follow behind showing their grief and their mourning for
Christ. When the shrine has returned to the church, members of the congregation can take a
flower away with them.

HOLY SATURDAY

Late in the evening, crowds of people arrive at every church in the country, Shortly
before midnight, lights in the church go out and bells start to toll to announce Christs
resurrection. A priest appears to share the eternal flame among the congregation.
Christos Anesti, the crowds shout amongst themselves.
The flame that was shared by the priest is then carefully carried home by
everyone. This tradition is believed to bless the home. After that, it is time for the 40
day fasting to end, for the Mayiritas soup to be eaten and to crack the red boiled eggs
with an opponent before feasting until the early hours of the morning.

EASTER SUNDAY

On Easter Sunday. The lamb is cooked along with the Kokoretsi, a

favorite Greek dish of wrapped seasoned lamb offal. There is a smell of
barbecued meat all across the country, while families and their friends
prepare to enjoy a very large feast. Loud music and singing complete the
high-spirited celebrations.

THE END