Thursday , March 28 2024

Easter finally

Last night was what we call the Epitaph. Zakynthians pay tribute to Christ. You will notice that a tomb like structure will be carved out of wood and a repilica of Christ will be laid down within the tomb, as the replica is surrounded in flower petals.

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Standing next to the tomb are young girls dressed in white, with a black ribbon worn as a symbol of mourning. These girls are known as “moiroforoi”.

Flowers will decorate the outside of the tomb structure,

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where as only one differs from this, that is none other than the Metropolitian Church, located near St, Marcos Square, Zakynthos Town. There you will not see the typcal flower decoration as other churches do.

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The actual tomb is an art work in itself. As shown the litany of Christ is done throughout, each church having their own litany.

A lament is sung in the village of Ambelokipi, in which the ancient song mourns Christ. This is done only in the village and the words tell a story of the pain the Virgin Mother felt when told of her son’s death.

Holy Saturday and very early most Zakynthians would have returned from Zakynthos town after the first ressurection or as Zakynthians would call it “To Proto Anastasi.”

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Today is one of the most highly celebrated days of Holy Week, it is when Zakynthians will take the Holy light from the church and bring it within their homes. The Holy light has made its way from the Holy lands direct from Jerusalem and then is sent to every corner of Greece in time for the Holy celebrations.

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Preparations start early for the ‘Anastasi.’ Most would have dyed their eggs red for this evening’s ‘tsougrisma’. As soon as the Holy light reaches the homes, a symbol of a cross is maked across the threshold to bring health and prosperity into the home. The family will then prepare for the feast but not before they start the (τσούγκρισμα), with the Easter eggs.

 

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The red eggs symbolize the resurrection of Christ and the competion of who has the best egg that doesn’t break under the pressure of them being hit at each end by your opponent starts off the celebrations.
The feast is the breaking point of the Great Lent, and the dish that most serve within Zakynthian homes is a dish known as sgatzeto (Σγατζέττο) either with an egg and lemon sauce or as most prefer tomato based sauce.

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Served along with the dish is of course ‘ladotiri’ (local cheese) and ‘Hiromeri’ (gammon).

Celebrations will start tonight at around 11.30p.m when all will be ready to go to church to hear the ‘Gloria’. The priest usually starts the service outside among the people, most will have their candles with them, especially children in which their godmothers and godfathers have chosen for them.ANASTASH-2

It is an important day and an honour to take back the Holy light, without being blown out along the way. As the clock strikes twelve midnight the church bells will chime in harmony for the first time after ‘penthos’ (mourning). Greetings of ‘Xristos Anesti’ (Christ has risen) and ‘Alithos o Kirios’ (the Lord is true) will be heard amongst the people. Fireworks will be let off in the night sky and children will let off firecrackers when ever they can. As all leave the church voices can be heard, laughter and Kalo Paska (Καλό Πάσχα) wishes for a Happy Easter as they set off for home with joy and the Holy light to bring within their heart and homes.dsc01459_s

 

As they enter the home a symbol of a cross will be marked using the candle, a black smoked mark in the shape of a cross will be left upon the door way until the following year.

 

 

 

As morning approaches an new day is to celebrate, a day of rebirth and Zakynthians will celebrate their Easter with song and dance, the traditional feast for the day is the Zakynthian traditional egg and lemon soup, made from chicken and beef broth.

 

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However, over the years and mainly due to the good weather conditions the roasting of a lamb on the spit has crept in slowly within the households of Zakynthos.

 

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This tradition being brought in from the mainland and mountain areas or Greece where lamb and goat were abundant.  For me, however I’m keeping to the old traditional ways and a good plate of egg and lemon soup with plenty of wine to share with family and friends for my Easter table. Καλή Ανάσταση and Καλό Πάσχa.

About Louise Inzk

Louise is Australian born and has been a Greek citizen since 1991. She has deep cultural ties with the island, often writing about Zakynthian Traditions and Culture. She is also an active member of the Volunteer Group of Zakynthos, Giostra Di Zante and is a member of the women's choir "Rodambelos". Her love of the island and all it offers saw her joining the Zakynthos (Zante) Informer admin team in 2014.

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