EASTER TIME IS THE BIG FAMILY REUNION
We know already that the Cretans are very religious people. They try to live according the tradition and rules given from the Greek Orthodox church, The only National Church in Greece; although in the last Decennia also the Catholics, Budhist or Muslim churches are accepted.
The biggest feast of the year from the Orthodox Church is Easter. The Greeks believe that the upstanding from Jesus Christ was a bigger event in his life , than his birth on Christmas day.
The week before Easter sunday is full of religious ceremonies in all the Churches. Highlight is on Easter Friday when a service is followed by a procession in which symbolicly the body of Jesus Christ is carried trough the village or town. Shops, if still open, will close their lights and people follow the procession with a burning candle. Its a real impressive sight and the start for a 4 day party for which all families, no matter where they live in Greece or the world will reunite. On Saturday at midnight is the celebration of the uprising of Jesus Christ. There is a short ceremony in the Church and than a big firework on the church square.
Everybody goes home with a new candle from the church and tries to bring the flame burning at home. Another symbol is the red painted chicken egg and the easter bread. Coming at home mother serves the Majoritsa Soup, made from the stomach of the Lamb that she bought for the big meal on Sunday. This soup we eat because we were not alowed to eat meat for some days.
On Sunday morning we start to put fire in the barbeque for the Lamb on the skewer and once the meat is ready we fill the dining table with plates of chips, salads, apetizers, wine etc.etc. We eat until we are more than full and lets not forget to drink a glass.........or maybe 1 more. When the alcohol starts to work, men will sing the traditional songs and will start to dance.
The Monday and Tuesday after Easter many families use them to recover from the big party and to make some trips with the reunited family if the weather is nice. Specially for the relatives that live far from their home village this anual reunion is the extra party.
Greek easter seldom is celebrated on the same days as the Catholics do: This year 2006 its in the weekend from 21th of April until 25nd of April.
For practically the whole Christian world Christmas is the biggest celebration and I will not say that this is not a party in Greece to, but it's on a much lower scale than Easter. Under the influence of the commerce it has grown into a bigger celebration in the last Decennia, but before it was only the day that Jesus Christ was born. On that day we eat something special and that's it..... 15 Years ago I couldn't even find Christmas Cards to send home to my family and on 2nd Christmas Day all shops were open and the farmers went to their work in the olives.
Also New years evening is celebrated in a more modest way by the Greeks. We sit and drink together and eat something until its midnight. Than we wish everybody "Chroneo Polas" or "Kali Chronea" which means Happy New Year and again that's it....for most of the people. No big fireworks or things like that. Today the Greeks are changing and looking at the other New Years parties from the World. The younger generation goes out to the discoos and make fireworks to celebrate. There's a nice family tradition, at midnight they serve the Vasilopita, which is a cake baked with a coin inside. He or she that finds the coin in his part will have a very lucky new year. New years day is also the Name Day of Saint Basil, click: PARTY TIME 3
A very traditional Greek Cake that celebrates the life of Saint Basil. Usually served at New Year, it is quick and delicious at any time.
1 cup butter plus 1 Tbs for greasing cake pan
2 cups white sugar plus 2 Tbs for sprinkling
3 cups flour
6 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup warm milk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds
Mix all ingredients and bake it in the oven like a cake.
Before Christmas and New Year children might come at your house door announcing the Birth of Christ or The New Year with a song. For their good wishes brought to you in a song we donate some coins in their box.
On the 6th of January in all harbor cities and villages of Greece we celebrate the blessing of the light and the baptism of Jesus Christ. The Priest come in a procession from the Church to the local Harbor and trow a cross into the sea. Men are standing on the qua and jump in the cool water to get it. He who has it first will get blessings from the priest and a memory. The trowing of the cross is also a bleshing to the sea and for all the people that have their work at the sea.
More celebrations: ClickPARTY TIME 3
