Four simple steps to discover the magic of Greek Easter!
But this is already STEP 3! So, if you missed the previous steps, you can check them here: STEP 1, STEP 2.
STEP 3 – Holy Saturday: This morning you’ll join the Food tour down at the central Market of Athens: Witness the most lively part of the city at its best, gain extra information about Easter from your experienced Greek guide and find beautiful “Lambada” candles, the best and strongest coloured eggs and of course, a nice Easter “tsoureki” for your breakfast tomorrow.
The beautiful traditional “Lampades”
If you have a kid and most important, if you are godfather or godmother to a child don’t forget to buy for them one of the lovely Chocolate Eggs! It is a must for children in Greece during Easter!
Wonderfully decorated Chocolate Eggs
At noon you’ll take a very Greek, long “siesta”. Keep in mind that the Resurrection is celebrated at midnight!
The evening mass starts at 11pm. (Of course there are congregations throughout the day). Dress yourself in the very best clothes, take your lambadas, one coloured egg each and of course your camera! You will notice, that this celebration, takes part mostly outside of the church due to the large crowds, so, it is wise to take a jacket with you as well.
Don’t light your candles up!
Minutes before midnight you will notice movement between the crowds as people will come outside from the church to share the holy light among the believers. Help yourself to the first lit up candle that will approach you. After your candle is lit up, you hold it carefully and you wait… Around midnight, the high priest will come out of the church and will announce the happy event: “Christos Anesti”!
Holy Saturday Night
This is the right time to kiss each other and the people around you and to clink for the first time your eggs against each other! Never mind if your egg cracks, it is anyway considered good luck and you can eat it later on with salt and pepper. It makes an excellent after- midnight snack!