Monday 2 April 2018

Holy Week in Greece

Today is Holy Monday, the beginning of Holy Week which ends with a candlelit parade on Good Friday, midnight service on Saturday, the breaking of the fast with offal and lettuce soup and Easter Sunday with spit roasted lamb or goat, music and dancing and a bit of imbibing.

From today the real fast begins for those who have been eating meat and dairy for the first weeks of Lent.  Most in my family will not be eating meat, dairy, eggs or fish this week except for kalamari and octopus, along lots of beans, lentils and greens.  

Good Friday is the strictest day and many will not eat olive oil either though they can eat  olives.

We will be busy this week finishing off the clearing and cleaning of the yards, whitewashing walls and washing outdoor tables and chairs for the extended family feast on Sunday.  Tomorrow we will be baking easter cookies ( koulourakia) and Thursday is the day for dyeing red eggs.

Every evening this week there is a church service and K, my daughters and grandchildren will be attending them, some at the local church dedicated to Saint Konstantine and others at the Monastery where the service is more serious.  

You can attend at any time during the service, go in light a candle, kiss the icon and leave or stay on to hear the liturgy.  There is always a milling of the faithful.  Those that stay for the entire service will arrive early and find chairs near the front,  These evening services are very well attended.  It used to be women on the left of the aisle, men on the right.  Now there will always women in the mens seats where they are more likely to find an empty chair. Many will just stand as there are not seats for everyone.



Agios Konstantinos


I'll go along with my candle for the parade on Friday and I may go to the service at midnight on Saturday, though someone has to stay home, set the table and warm up the soup.

11 comments:

  1. You also have a lot of traditions!
    I'd prefer to stay home and warm up the soup.
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. And have a nap! Midnight is very late for me .

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  2. Glad you enjoy my humour! You live in a neat place, one of the few places we would love to visit one day.

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    1. Hi Chris. I used to love visiting your area. Wanna do a house swap?

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  3. I also would prefer to stay at home and warm up the soup:).

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    1. The midnight servcie is very short and we always stand outside and chat with friends till midnight when the priests bring out the holy light. But staying at home is much better. As I said above it is a good time for a nap!!

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  4. Sounds like a busy week. Is there room for one more in the kitchen?

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    1. At the monet there is no room even for a flea lol. Three grandkids making easter cookies and making a lot of noise too. I could do with help later making the sweet bread, tsoureki! You're a darn good baker. Book your ticket!

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  5. I havnt fasted for many years.
    But we always have a lamb spit at my parents place on Sunday
    Not a fan of the mayarittsa. Nope. Not at all!

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    1. Usually I wouldn't eat offal soup but I always do the cooking and actually it isn't too bad. Lots of lettuce, dill,rice,the egg and lemon sauce all together is yummy. Mind you the offal needs to be cut up into very small pieces .

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