Greek Orthodox Easter Greece

During the week leading up to Easter Sunday, various celebrations take place. As a Christian holiday, Holy Week liturgies are held, including the Good Friday Epitaph processions and the Holy Saturday midnight Resurrection service.

Some traditional rituals involve special foods, such as red-dyed eggs, lamb roasted on a spit, and tsoureki bread.

Different regions of Greece have their own local variations and traditions. For example, in Corfu, it is customary to smash pots from balconies, and in Leonidio, airborne lanterns are released. On Chios Island, two rival parishes engage in a spectacular rocket war, called Rouketopolemos, firing homemade fireworks at each other’s churches.

Young people are encouraged to participate in these celebrations, fostering intergenerational exchange and the sharing of knowledge.