This document describes several Easter traditions celebrated in Greece. It discusses the baking of special raisin buns called Lazarakia in Greece to represent Lazarus. It also mentions the palm leaves given out to the faithful on Palm Sunday and the dyeing of eggs on Holy Thursday as symbols of rebirth. Another tradition described is the throwing of large jugs called botithes from balconies in Corfu on Easter Sunday. The document also briefly outlines some Orthodox Holy Friday customs like fasting, avoiding household chores and repairs, and drinking vinegar.

1. EASTER TRADITIONS
IN EUROPE

2. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
“LAZARAKIA”
On the morning of the Saturday of Lazarus
(one week before Easter Sunday) the
Greek-Orthodox housewives used to
knead the dough for special buns, the so-called
Lararithes or Lazarakia. They used
to give them the shape of a human body
wrapped in swaddling clothes, just like the
way Lazarus is depicted in Greek-Orthodox
icons. These buns represent Lazarus who
was resurrected by Jesus Christ. The
number of the buns the housewives used
to bake depended on the number of the
family’s children and in the position of the
human eyes they usually put cloves.
Lararithes or Lazarakia are actually little
raisin-buns.
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

3. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
PALM SUNDAY
Palm Sunday practically opens the Holy Week. It
commemorates the Jesus’ triumphant entry into
Jerusalem where, according to the gospel truth,
the residents of the city welcomed Him holding
branches of palm trees, laying their clothes on
the ground and applauding Him by saying
Hosanna; blessed the one who comes in the name
of the Lord. In the churches of Greece the priests
offer palm leaves to the faithful.
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

4. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
EASTER EGGS
According to the Greek-Orthodox tradition,
Holy Thursday is the day when the
housewives prepare buns and dye eggs
using special colours. The egg symbolizes
the fertility and the powers of creation.
Others claim that it stands as a symbol of
the resurrection of the whole world, in
other words the regeneration of nature.
Some people believe that the Easter eggs
are dyed in commemoration of Jesus’ shed
blood during his crucifixion. For others the
red colour stands for joy and happiness
caused to humanity after the joyful event
of Resurrection and at the same time it acts
as a deterrent to evil powers.
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

5. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
“BOTITHES”
On the island of Corfu, with the very first sign of
Holy Resurrection which take place around 12:00
at midday, the residents of the city throw huge
jugs –named botithes- filled up with water from
the balconies of their houses. Botithes are
narrow-necked jugs made of clay, with two
handles on both sides for carrying purposes. The
balconies of the houses are beautifully decorated
and so are the botithes themselves with red
ribbons tied on their handles, as red is Corfu’s
favourite colour. The custom of botithes stands as
a result of combination of Venetian and Greek-
Orthodox customs. The Corfiots like to exorcise
the evil powers with the smashing of their jugs
and in this way they mark the end of the winter
lethargy and the regeneration of nature.
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

6. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
Orthodox Holy Friday Customs
Holly Friday for Christianity is the “saddest”
day of the year. It is also the date of absolute
fasting. The church bells beat in funereal
rhythm all day long. All day is dedicated to
the unnailing of Christ from the crucifix and
the epitaph retinue.
Due to the mourning of the day the
housewives aren’t doing any household
chores. They even avoid cooking that day.
Furthermore, the men stay away from any
repairs and especially they avoid nailing as
they refer to the crucifixion of Christ.
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

7. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
Orthodox Holy Friday Customs
A lot of people eat bread and drinking
vinegar that day, because when Christ asked
for water the Roman soldier gave Him
vinegar. In some areas of Crete, people drink
the bitter juice that is produced from the
boiling of snails. In other areas people do
not eat or drink that day.
At the end of the day the believers are
attending the epitaph retinue where Christ is
in His way to the tomb.
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

8. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
ROCKET FIGHT
Easter in Chios means rocket fight, a custom
that has its roots from the time of Turkish
domination. It is a “war” between the parishes
of Vrodados, Saint Mark and Virgin Mary
Erithiani.
The procedure begins with the formation of
two teams. These teams are building the
rockets, which are placed in special launchers.
At the night of Holy Saturday after the whistle
of a horn the warfare begins and each parish
team throws rockets to the other. This
spectacular custom attracts many tourists from
deferent parts. 3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

9. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
JUDA’S BURNING
Another custom, that place is the burning of
Judas. This custom takes place every year, as well
as this year, in different places of the country.
This custom is a product of folklore tradition.
Researchers, say that the roots are lost in time.
The burning of Judas takes place every Holy
Friday night.
In the Holly Friday morning people are making a
replica of Judas. In the night during the rotation
of epitaph the replica of Judas is hanged and
burned.
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

10. TRADITIONS IN GREECE
“SAITOPOLEMOS”
Each year, the Easter Sunday night, in the west
beach of Kalamata resurrects the custom of
“saitopolemos” meaning arrow war. This strange
local custom has its roots from the time of Turkish
domination, when the Greeks show great
heroism and ingenuity in the battles against
Turkish armies. The legend has it, that the
Messenians withheld the Turkish cavalry by using
handmade arrows “saites” filled with explosives.
The participants of “saitopolemos” split into
teams called “bouloukia” meaning herd. As soon
as, they wear their traditional costumes and arm
themselves with their handmade paper tubes
filled with gunpowder they start “fighting”.
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013

11. VISIT GREECE TO SEE
THESE EASTER TRADITIONS
AND MORE
3rd Primary School of Nea Smyrne 2012-2013