A Grecian Easter: Lamb and gusto
The people spill from their churches and once again fill the main square in town. This time, the mood is lighter -- there's a palpable sense of expectation. Easter Sunday is on its way.
When midnight strikes, fireworks light up the sky and, finally, Easter is here. The Holy Flame, which literally travels from Jerusalem to Athens, and then to towns throughout Greece, is shared along with the ritual Easter "kiss of love." And it's not over yet. Everyone then heads home for the biggest party of the season.
People carry the Easter flame home as a burning candle. Raising it above their heads, they make a cross above the doorway symbolizing that the light of the Resurrection has blessed their home for another year.
Easter is a time for family -- and for roasting a lamb or goat on a spit. On Saturday, the traditional meal is "magiritsa" -- a soup made of the lamb's liver, along with lots of greens and lamb guts -- to prepare everyone's stomach for next day's feast after a meatless Lent.
On Sunday, a long table awaits as the extended family gathers. Each person chooses a blood-red egg and taps it against someone else's egg. The eggs symbolize Christ's tomb, and the cracking symbolizes his Resurrection. The last person holding an uncracked egg will enjoy good luck in the following year. The feast continues into the wee hours of Easter Sunday with lots of meat and eggs, and no shortage of Easter bread.
Everyday Greece offers sunshine, seafood, whitewashed houses with bright-blue shutters, and a relaxed, Zorba-the-Greek lifestyle. But for a special glimpse at the culture, celebrate Easter with the Greeks. You'll find a time filled with tradition -- and with promise.
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(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)
(c)2017 RICK STEVES DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
