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.