Keeping Greek Easter Traditions Alive in Our Home
Greek Easter is one of the most special times of the year for our family. It’s a time when we come together, embrace our heritage, and celebrate traditions that have been passed down through generations. While Easter in Greece is deeply rooted in faith, for me, it’s more about preserving the cultural customs that keep our connection to our roots alive, and sharing these traditions with my boys, nieces, and nephews makes it all the more special.
One of the first signs that Greek Easter is approaching in our home is the scent of baking. The week leading up to Easter Sunday is filled with the hustle and bustle of preparing traditional foods. I love gathering the kids in the kitchen to bake koulourakia, our beloved Easter biscuits, and tsourekia, the sweet, braided bread that is a staple of Greek celebrations. The little hands rolling and twisting the dough might not always get the perfect shapes, but that’s what makes it so fun! We share stories while we bake, sneak a few bites of dough, and make beautiful memories together.
Of course, no Greek Easter is complete without dyeing eggs a deep, vibrant red (or if you are like out family we like to experiment and dye our eggs in a variety of colours). This is one of the kids’ favorite traditions! We set up a big table, put on our aprons, and carefully dip the eggs into the dye, watching them turn the most beautiful shade of red. The kids always get excited about the egg-cracking game on Easter Sunday, where we tzougrizi, rub the eggs against one another to see which one cracks first. The goal is to be the last one standing with an uncracked egg, and the friendly competition always brings lots of laughter and excitement!
Another meaningful tradition we uphold is attending church services on Good Friday and Holy Saturday night. I love bringing the kids along to experience the candlelit procession on Good Friday, where they hold their little candles and walk quietly with us. Then, on Saturday night, we gather for the Resurrection Service, and the excitement builds as we light our candles and say “Christos Anesti” (Christ is Risen). The kids love seeing the church glow with candlelight and staying up late for this special moment.
Easter Sunday is the highlight of the celebration, a day filled with warmth, love, and delicious food. We spend the day surrounded by family, enjoying a feast and playing games in the backyard. The kids run around, laugh, and soak in all the joy of the day. For me, seeing their happy faces and knowing that they are growing up with these beautiful traditions fills my heart with joy
For our family, Greek Easter is about more than just the religious aspects, it’s about honoring our culture, passing down traditions, and creating beautiful memories with our loved ones. It’s about coming together, sharing special moments, and making sure that our children grow up knowing and loving their heritage. No matter how busy life gets, we always make time for these traditions, ensuring that they live on for generations to come.
If you celebrate, Καλό Πάσχα (Happy Easter)! And if not, I hope you’re finding your own little joys this spring – whatever they may look like.
With love,
Natalia
Founder, LM