These 40 days are represented with an original calendar of a nun called Mrs. Lent. The nun has not mouth because she fasts, her hands are crossed because she prays and she has seven legs one for each week. As weeks go by, they cut one of her legs out. When the nun doesn’t have any legs, Easter begins. So, the last leg is cut on Holy Saturday. Easter lasts a week and two days, that is to say, it starts on Holy Saturday and finishes on Easter Sunday.

It was when Christ raised his friend Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, this Saturday is called Lazarus Saturday. This day, they remember the fact that Christ was able to bring live to those who believe in Him.

They make some biscuits devoted to him in shape of a man with his hands crossed, as it was Lazarus in the tomb. Biscuits are called Koulouri Lazarakia, and they are made of oil and flour because during these days they cannot still eat any meat, fish, eggs or milk products.

Palm Sunday

On Sunday morning Greeks go to churches where branches of laurel are given to them. There, they hold their brunches as people in Jerusalem did to welcome Christ when they heard about Lazarus resurrection.

At lunchtime everybody eats fish.

In the evening, they commemorate Jesus as the Bridegroom of the church. The priest takes Christ’s icon around the church and then it’s placed in the centre until Good Wednesday.

Good Wednesday


Special prayers and Epistles are read during the evening.

Good Thursday




On Thursday evening twelve Gospels are read telling the entire story of Christ’ s Passion. After reading the 6^th Gospel crucifixion is re-enacted. A wooden cross with Christ’s figure on is carried around the church and is placed in the centre of it. People go and kiss the figure. The bells ring in a mournful way and mournful psalms are sung.

They commemorate the Last Supper. Christ proclaimed the bread on the table as his body and the wine as his blood. This was the first Holy Communion. That’s why during Holy Communion they are given pieces of bread dipped into wine from a chalice.

The bread is the body of Christ and the blood is the wine.

Good Friday

The bells ring all day long. On Friday the priest takes Christ’s body from the cross, wraps the body in white linen and places it on the altar in order not to be used anymore. Instead they embroider Christ’s body with a golden thread in a piece of cloth. This piece of cloth is placed on a special rectangular table with an arch above it. This table is called Epitaph.

In villages, women pick some flowers from their gardens or forests and place them over the Epitaph in order to adore Christ. Children pass under the epitaph as if they were following the shape of a cross on the floor. Adults pay tribute by kissing the epitaph.

In the evening, four men lift the Epitaph and along with the priest and people holding candles walk with it for the entire city in a procession. This represents Christ’s funeral procession. When they reach the church the four men place the epitaph in front of the church’s main door and hold it up. People must pass under it as they enter into the church.

Good Friday is such a sad day that no food is cooked and no oil is allowed. However, they can eat vinegar because when Christ was in the cross he said he was thirsty and people gave him vinegar. Biscuits and painted eggs are not prepared too because it is a sad day.

Easter Saturday
( Anastasi )

People go to church at midnight.

As midnight approaches all the lights in the church are switched off and the candles are put out.

At midnight sharp, the priest lights a candle, which symbolizes the light of Christ, and invites people to share this light with him. Then, the audience go and light their candles together with the priest.

This light means Christ resurrection. Afterwards the priest proclaims: Christ has risen. And they all kiss each other and shake their hands for peace and best wishes. People say

Christ is raised. Indeed is risen.
It is a moment of joy.
Bells ring joyfully and fireworks are lit as a celebration of Christ resurrection

Later on, they go home. Fasting is over and therefore they have an important meal. They eat traditional food as Mayirtsa. It is a soup with lamb’s liver and bowels combined with aromatic herbs.

They also celebrate another very typical tradition. Two people have an egg each and they make them crack one with the other. The one whose egg is not cracked is said to be very lucky. They also eat Easter cookies.

Easter Sunday

On Sunday the whole family with relatives and friends gather in yards or in the countryside and roast a lamb on a spit. After this they dance a traditional dancing called Kalamatiano.

It’s a day of eating and dancing.