EASTER in GREECE

EARTH Easter is celebrated the Passion, the crucifixion, burial, and finally the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The main days of Holy Week and represent one of the days that Jesus came to Jerusalem during the Jewish celebration of the days of his entering the city of Jerusalem to the Resurrection.

On Maundy Thursday Divine Drama goes to the culmination of the day is the Last Supper where Jesus communes students giving them a piece of bread symbolizes his body and wine symbolizes his blood. From this first community of students begins Sacrament of Holy Communion. The celebration of Easter begins on Good Friday, which symbolizes the events of the trial of Jesus by Pontius Pilate, the horrible path to the Calvary, the Crucifixion and eventually his burial. The procession to the church is decorated with spring flowers. After the Operation each parish returns the epitaph of the region, in some churches just wandering around the church. Already in many parts of Greece, the first fireworks display the night of the funeral.

GREAT WEEK The Palm Sunday which is the last of Lent celebrates the entry of Jesus on a donkey to Jerusalem and the reception of residents with branches of palm trees, the bay. On Palm Sunday after the service bay and share small crosses made ​​ of leaves palm. Great Monday is dedicated to Joseph dearest son of Jacob whom his brothers sold to traders from Egypt On Holy Tuesday read the parable of the ten virgins who when they heard the Behold the Bridegroom comes rushing to meet the Bridegroom

On Holy Wednesday read the myron of Jesus by the sinful, Christ is already talking about the upcoming death of telling students that myrose the woman to prepare him for burial

GREEK EASTER TRADITIONS The high Thursday is a day that starts Easter traditions. It is the day of the week long paint the Easter eggs and make cookies and cakes. The godfather and godmother going to the Easter candle in children. Good Friday is the transfer of the epitaph. Ε epitaph is decorated with flowers and wandering around the church and the streets, while the faithful follow behind. Is a day of mourning.

This Saturday is the feast of the Resurrection, the great operation of the Resurrection is at midnight, people go to church late at night carrying torches and candles together. At midnight the lights off the church and the priest sings Come Receive the Light. After following the Easter Gospel, usually in the courtyard of the church, the priest marks the resurrection of Jesus singing "Christ is risen. The world breaks red eggs and calls Christ is Risen, flares and fireworks light heaven. When back at home they make a lot of cross over the door with the smoke of the candle. Easter Sunday is the feast of Easter, from early morning traditional lamb on the spit roasted on the spit and around the festive table have fun with family and friends singing and dancing

The high Saturday is the night of the resurrection. At 12 o'clock at night, the priest gives Holy Light to the faithful and chants "Christ is risen. " Believers take the holy light with Easter candles and greet by saying "Christ is risen" and replying "Truly the Lord had risen. " In many areas lit fireworks and strakastroukes. It's the day of resurrection, day of joy and celebration.The big Saturday ends the fasting of Lent and returning home to eat soup and soft clink eggs.

By Georgia Kopili and Anastasios Mouratidis