This year, Greek Easter coincided with Easter and I was fortunate enough to spend it with my best friend, Sandra, and her family. The Greek Orthodox Church does not always celebrate Easter on the same day as the Catholic and Protestant Church because the Greek Orthodox Church historically followed a different calender.
Tradition says that the Virgin Mary dyed eggs red to celebrated the Resurrection of Christ and to celebrate life. At the Greek Easter celebration, each person takes a hard boiled red egg and challengers attempt to crack each others' eggs. The breaking of the eggs is meant to symbolize Christ breaking from the Tomb. The person whose egg lasts the longest is supposed to have good luck for the rest of the year. (Below: Sandra and I just cracked our eggs. Guess who won?)
The most traditional dish at Greek Easter is roast lamb which honours the 'sacrificial lamb' of Christain tradition. Other foods such as special breads, greek salad and spanakopita were served.Dancing is another fun tradition at Greek Easter celebrations. It's also a good way to work off the feast that was eaten!
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Greek Easter is also the time to enjoy the different kinds of carnivals, folk dances and passion plays held at every nook and corner of the Greek inhabited areas.
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