Nowhere else in the world can the spirit of the Holy Resurrection of Christ be felt as it is expressed in Greece. All the preparations for Easter: the characteristic foods of this important holiday, the red-colored Eggs, lamb on the spit, the Magiritsa (Easter Soup), together with the cheerful tolling of the bells, the liturgy in church, the pure white candles with their flames dancing in unison, all this and more, make one feel from within the uniqueness and magnificence of this feast. Easter is the feast that, more than any other, makes the migrating Greeks return to their homeland to roast the lamb on the spit and to crack the red Easter eggs with their families.
Orthodox Easter (Pascha, Greek: Πάσχα) is considered the most important holiday on the Greek calendar and its celebration is unique in almost every corner of Greece. Special traditions mark not only the mourning of Christ’s Crucifixion and the celebration of Resurrection, but also the passage from winter to spring. The uniqueness in celebrating Easter the traditional Greek way lies more in the week leading up to the event (Holy Week) rather than the actual religious holiday. The faithful Christians follow the Holy Week ritual devoutly, giving themselves body and soul into the culmination of the Passion of Christ and finally rejoicing in His Resurrection.
Greek Orthodox Easter usually falls one to five weeks after the western (Protestant, Catholic) Easter, while every few years it falls on the same date.
In 2019 - Greek Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday - April 28th, one week after western Easter which falls on April 21st.
In 2020 Greek Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday April 19th, one week after western Easter which falls on April 12th.
Easter in Corfu
The celebration of Easter in Corfu is a unique experience and it is completely different from anywhere else in Greece.
You will be enchanted by the spring atmosphere, you will feel overwhelmed by the fragrant flowers, surprised by the lush greenery, you will be swept away by the mix of religious and classical music, and you will get unprecedented feelings by the religious and celebrating events. It is the only place on Earth where you can experience Spring getting inside your very existence, where you can enjoy so strongly the atmosphere of the most important celebration. In this huge festival, a mosaic of culture, tradition and natural beauty comes together harmoniously, giving strong emotions to both locals and foreigners.
Easter in Corfu is bright beyond all expectations.
Clean Monday marks the start of Lent and 49 days of fasting, although nowadays few people strictly fast for the whole of Lent. The common term for this day, "Clean Monday", refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. Easter fasting excludes meat, fish (but not seafood), eggs, oil and dairy products from the diet. Clean Monday is a public holiday in Greece, a day of great celebration and traditions. Families take to the beach or countryside for picnics and kite-flying.
In the Orthodox Church, the forty days of Great Lent end on the Friday before Palm Sunday. The two days that follow, Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, form a transition to Holy Week.
