Saturday 6 May 2006

Greek Easter

Easter in every other country is considered to be a holiday for the most religious of Christians. All the rest of the people send their day relaxing and eating chocolate eggs, not successfully hidden by the easter bunny in the garden. In Greece though Easter is a whole different story. For most the 95% of the population that proclaims itself "Christian Orthodox", Easter is the only occation the enter a church (unless they have played the lottery and want the Allmighty on their side).

Of course for the vast majority church going is just one part of their entertainment during these holidays, which involves dressing up, eating delicious food, singing and dancing. The first three thigs are actually satisfied in the church in some proportion. City-greeks go to church wearing their Sunday clothing, or in some cases their Saturday-night-out-at-the-club clothing showing their respect to dead Jeasus and their fashion choices to their fellow believers. Country-side greeks prepare the lamb for sacrifice to contribute to the Sunday feast and celebration of the biggest holiday of the year.

And they all show up Saturday night in the church where come midnight they sing a hymn (more popular than any song around these days of the year) play the red egg game and then eat the loser egg before the priest finishes singing his part. Then ten minutes later they are all around the table at their cosy homes eating the poor lamb cooked in elaborate ways..

So much for religion in the country of philosophy.