Easter traditions in greece

EASTER TRADITIONS

IN EUROPE

“LAZARAKIA”TRADITIONS IN GREECE

On the morning of the Saturday of Lazarus(one week before Easter Sunday) theGreek-Orthodox housewives used toknead the dough for special buns, the so-called Lararithes or Lazarakia. They usedto give them the shape of a human bodywrapped in swaddling clothes, just like theway Lazarus is depicted in Greek-Orthodoxicons. These buns represent Lazarus whowas resurrected by Jesus Christ. Thenumber of the buns the housewives usedto bake depended on the number of thefamily’s children and in the position of thehuman eyes they usually put cloves.Lararithes or Lazarakia are actually littleraisin-buns.

3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

PALM SUNDAYTRADITIONS IN GREECE

Palm Sunday practically opens the Holy Week. It

commemorates the Jesus’ triumphant entry into

Jerusalem where, according to the gospel truth,

the residents of the city welcomed Him holding

branches of palm trees, laying their clothes on

the ground and applauding Him by saying

Hosanna; blessed the one who comes in the name

of the Lord. In the churches of Greece the priests

offer palm leaves to the faithful.


EASTER EGGSTRADITIONS IN GREECE

According to the Greek-Orthodox tradition,Holy Thursday is the day when thehousewives prepare buns and dye eggsusing special colours. The egg symbolizesthe fertility and the powers of creation.Others claim that it stands as a symbol ofthe resurrection of the whole world, inother words the regeneration of nature.Some people believe that the Easter eggsare dyed in commemoration of Jesus’ shedblood during his crucifixion. For others thered colour stands for joy and happinesscaused to humanity after the joyful eventof Resurrection and at the same time it actsas a deterrent to evil powers.


“BOTITHES”TRADITIONS IN GREECE

On the island of Corfu, with the very first sign ofHoly Resurrection which take place around 12:00at midday, the residents of the city throw hugejugs –named botithes- filled up with water fromthe balconies of their houses. Botithes arenarrow-necked jugs made of clay, with twohandles on both sides for carrying purposes. Thebalconies of the houses are beautifully decoratedand so are the botithes themselves with redribbons tied on their handles, as red is Corfu’sfavourite colour. The custom of botithes stands asa result of combination of Venetian and Greek-Orthodox customs. The Corfiots like to exorcisethe evil powers with the smashing of their jugsand in this way they mark the end of the winterlethargy and the regeneration of nature.


Orthodox Holy Friday CustomsTRADITIONS IN GREECE

Holly Friday for Christianity is the “saddest”day of the year. It is also the date of absolutefasting. The church bells beat in funerealrhythm all day long. All day is dedicated tothe unnailing of Christ from the crucifix andthe epitaph retinue.Due to the mourning of the day thehousewives aren’t doing any householdchores. They even avoid cooking that day.Furthermore, the men stay away from anyrepairs and especially they avoid nailing asthey refer to the crucifixion of Christ.


Orthodox Holy Friday CustomsTRADITIONS IN GREECE

A lot of people eat bread and drinking

vinegar that day, because when Christ asked

for water the Roman soldier gave Him

vinegar. In some areas of Crete, people drink

the bitter juice that is produced from the

boiling of snails. In other areas people do

not eat or drink that day.

At the end of the day the believers are

attending the epitaph retinue where Christ is

in His way to the tomb.


ROCKET FIGHTTRADITIONS IN GREECE

Easter in Chios means rocket fight, a custom

that has its roots from the time of Turkish

domination. It is a “war” between the parishes

of Vrodados, Saint Mark and Virgin Mary

Erithiani.

The procedure begins with the formation of

two teams. These teams are building the

rockets, which are placed in special launchers.

At the night of Holy Saturday after the whistle

of a horn the warfare begins and each parish

team throws rockets to the other. This

spectacular custom attracts many tourists from

deferent parts. 3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

JUDA’S BURNINGTRADITIONS IN GREECE

Another custom, that place is the burning of

Judas. This custom takes place every year, as well

as this year, in different places of the country.

This custom is a product of folklore tradition.

Researchers, say that the roots are lost in time.

The burning of Judas takes place every Holy

Friday night.

In the Holly Friday morning people are making a

replica of Judas. In the night during the rotation

of epitaph the replica of Judas is hanged and

burned.


“SAITOPOLEMOS”TRADITIONS IN GREECE

Each year, the Easter Sunday night, in the westbeach of Kalamata resurrects the custom of“saitopolemos” meaning arrow war. This strangelocal custom has its roots from the time of Turkishdomination, when the Greeks show greatheroism and ingenuity in the battles againstTurkish armies. The legend has it, that theMessenians withheld the Turkish cavalry by usinghandmade arrows “saites” filled with explosives.The participants of “saitopolemos” split intoteams called “bouloukia” meaning herd. As soonas, they wear their traditional costumes and armthemselves with their handmade paper tubesfilled with gunpowder they start “fighting”.


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Easter traditions in greece