These candles, lambades, are made by Maria Nanas. You can order them in Montreal though her facebook page or by phone 438 238 3540
Easter is the most sacred
observance in the Greek Orthodox faith. Preparations and customs remain some of
the most traditional in modern Greek life.
Preparations for Easter come to a climax toward the
end of Holy Week, between Palm Sunday and Easter. While there are many local
customs associated with Easter, there are several observed by all.
Holy (or Great) Thursday
Easter preparations begin on Holy Thursday when the
traditional Easter bread, tsoureki, is baked,
and eggs are dyed red
(red is the color of life as well as a representation of the blood of Christ).
From ancient times, the egg has been a symbol of the renewal of life, and the
message of the red eggs is victory over death. (More on the history
of red eggs at Easter.)
In times gone by, superstitions grew into customs
that included placing the first-dyed red egg at the home's iconostasis (place
where icons are displayed) to ward off evil, and marking the heads and backs of
small lambs with the red dye to protect them.
Holy Thursday evening, church services include a
symbolic representation of the crucifixion, and the period of mourning begins.
In many villages - and in cities as well - women will sit in church throughout
the night, in traditional mourning.
Holy (or Great) Friday
The holiest day of Holy Week is Holy Friday. It is
a day of mourning, not of work (including cooking). It is also the only day
during the year when the Divine Liturgy is not read. Flags are hung at
half-mast and church bells ring all day in a slow mournful tone.
Many devout do not cook on Holy Friday, but if they
do, traditional foods are simple, perhaps boiled in water (no oil) and seasoned
with vinegar - like beans - or thin soups like tahinosoupa, a soup
made with tahini.
Traditionally, women and children take flowers to
the church to decorate the Epitaphio (the symbolic bier of Christ). The Service
of Lamentation mourns the death of Christ and the bier, decorated lavishly with
flowers and bearing the image of Christ, is carried on the shoulders of the
faithful in a procession through the community to the cemetery, and back.
Members of the congregation follow, carrying candles.
Holy (or Great) Saturday
On Holy Saturday, the Eternal Flame is brought to
Greece by military jet, and is distributed to waiting Priests who carry it to
their local churches. The event is always televised and if there's a threat of
bad weather or a delay, the entire country agonizes until the flame arrives
safely.
On the morning of Holy Saturday, preparations begin
for the next day’s Easter feast. Dishes that can be prepared in advance are
made, and the traditional mayiritsa soup
is prepared, which will be eaten after the midnight service, to break the fast.
The midnight Service of the Resurrection is an
occasion attended by everyone who is able, including children, each holding a
white candle.
Special candles made for
Easter are called “labatha” (lah-BAH-thah) and are often given as gifts to
children from their parents or God-parents. These candles can be lavishly
decorated with favorite children’s heroes or storybook characters, and may be
as much as three feet tall, but the candle itself is usually white. These
candles are only used for one Easter midnight service.
Crowds are so big that
churches fill to overflowing as anticipation mounts. Shortly before midnight,
all lights are extinguished and churches are lit only by the Eternal Flame on
the altar. When the clock passes midnight, the Priest calls out "Christos
Anesti" (Christ is risen), and passes the flame, the light of the
Resurrection, to those nearest him. The flame is then passed from person to
person, and it isn't long before the church and courtyard are filled with
flickering candlelight. The night air is filled with the singing of the
Byzantine Chant "Christos Anesti,"
and the "fili tis Agapis" (kiss of Agape) and wishes are exchanged.
As is the custom, as soon as "Christos Anesti" is called out, church
bells ring joyously non-stop, ships in ports all over Greece sound their horns,
floodlights are lit on large buildings, and great and small displays of
fireworks and noisemakers are set off.
Traditional Easter Wishes
Once the Priest has called out "Christos
Anesti," friends and neighbors exchange the same, saying "Christos
Anesti" and, in response, "Alithos Anesti" (truly, He is risen)
or "Alithinos o Kyrios" (true is the Lord).
Christos Anesti say: khree-STOHSS ah-NES-tee
Alithos Anesti say: ah-lee-THOHSS ah-NES-tee
Alithinos o Kyrios say: ah-lee-thee-NOHSS o KEE-ree-yohss
Alithos Anesti say: ah-lee-THOHSS ah-NES-tee
Alithinos o Kyrios say: ah-lee-thee-NOHSS o KEE-ree-yohss
It is the custom to carry the Eternal Flame home
and use it to make the sign of the cross on the door frame in smoke. The smoke
cross is left there throughout the year, symbolizing that the light of the
Resurrection has blessed the home. The candles are used to light icon
candelabra, and are put on the table for the midnight meal. The sight of
hundreds of candle flames moving from churches to homes on that night is
beautiful, indeed.
Once home, everyone gathers around the table for a
traditional meal to break the fast, which includes the mayiritsa soup, tsoureki (sweet
bread), and the red eggs. But before
the eggs are eaten, there's a traditional challenge: "tsougrisma."
Holding your egg, you tap the end against the end of your opponent's egg,
trying to crack it. It's a game enjoyed by children and adults alike. Eggs are
often made in very large quantities since the game continues on the next day
with more friends and family.
Easter Sunday
At dawn (or earlier) on Easter Sunday, the spits
are set to work, and grills are fired up. The customary main attraction of the
day is whole roasted lamb
or goat (kid) to represent the Lamb of God, however many prefer oven and stovetop lamb or kid dishes. Ovens
are filled with traditional accompaniments and all the trimmings. Great Greek
wines, ouzo, and other drinks flow freely, and preparations for the meal turn
into festive celebrations even before the eating begins. These high-spirited
gatherings often last long into the night.
Easter Monday
Another national holiday,
Easter Monday is a day to take things slowly, and certainly a day filled with
delicious leftovers!
