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My favourite 'holiday', (summer holidays, easter, christmas) in England has always been Christmas. Probably because you don't offer much competition, when it comes to the summer. I mean, come on. Seriously. I do just love the festive spirit, consumerist and watered down spirit included in that. But if I think about when I used to live in Greece, Easter was such a magical time! As a Greek Orthodox Christian, I can safely say that Easter is the most important religious festival in Greece. It's virtually always on a different weekend to english easter, (aside from this year, waheyy), and as a rule it is -bear with me- always based on the Julian Calendar, as opposed to the Gregorian Calendar. It's ALWAYS on the first Sunday, after the first full moon, AFTER the first day of spring (March 21st, also ma meres birthday).
In Greece, Godparents are taken really seriously and Easter's their main time to shower their godchildren with lovingsss and giftingsss. As well as any presents, traditionally, you receive lambathes (big fat ornate gorgeous candle.. basically)
Tonight, Holy Saturday, everyone would go to Church/stand outside the Church and at one minute to midnight, after the procession, in complete and utter darkness (which is meant to symbolise Jesus's tomb, i believe) the priest lights his candle and passes it around while praying (how cultified does this sound, man). When all the candles of the street are lit, fireworks and music and singing and all that happens whilst everyone walks through the streets of their city!
It was always so beautiful to be a part of, or even watch from the balcony. A gazillion lit candles in utter silence - aside from the bell ringing midnight.

Oh, and every egg in the history of Greece is dyed red, coins are hidden in brioche-type breads, shit loads of chocolate, cakes and a whole lot of lamb... the usual.

I definitely miss those traditions, but heyyy. new traditions!
Erm. Tomorrow Im going to this.. monkey forest thing and holding monkeys.
Theres a religious easter tradition, if i ever did hear one!


Christos Anestis!!

(which is where you'd reply, 'Alithos Anestis', if you were a jebus believer :)


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