Eastertide

Easter always goes hand in hand with the search for authenticity. For the authentic Epitaph procession, good company for the subsequent authentic feast, the authentic Greek landscape, the authentically spiritual experience of the Resurrection service. Like many things around us, all of this is becoming more and more valuable.

Today, from the second day of the Orthodox Easter, the Bright Week begins. Until the upcoming Tomina Sunday, each of the days bears the name "bright". The name is associated with the enlightenment that the resurrected Christ brings to humanity.

Easter liturgies were held in churches across the country, after which traditional egg-tapping contests were organized in many places. The belief is that the winner of the egg tapping contest (whoever's egg does not crack) will have the best health that year.
Many officials from the country and the region congratulated the citizens of Serbia on the great holiday.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou will attend the midnight Anastasi (Resurrection) Mass on Holy Saturday at the Athens Cathedral tonight, her office said.

On Sunday (Easter Sunday), she will visit the Presidential Guard. 

It's no secret that we Greeks love Easter ("Pascha"). In the Orthodox Christian Church, it is the most important religious holiday of the year, a time of intense spiritual reflection and solemnity.

Pope Francis will preside over mass in St Peter's Square Sunday as he kicks off events leading to Easter, just a day after leaving hospital following a bout of bronchitis.

The 86-year-old's admittance to hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties sparked concerns he may not be well enough to attend a series of rites in what is the most important week in the Christian calendar.

Serbian Orthodox Church and the faithful celebrate the second day of Easter, popularly called Holy Monday. This day also marks the beginning of a "Bright" Week, or Renewal Week. It is the period of seven days beginning on Easter and continuing up to (but not including) the following Sunday, which is known as Thomas Sunday.

Many of the Greek Easter customs are particular to the region & may look peculiar, but they are spectacular!

Today, Holy Thursday, the Orthodox Church commemorates a number of events in the last days of Jesus Christ related to his saving work for humanity.

On Easter Sunday the atmosphere of the Church switches gears, and instead of a focusing on death and sorrow, the Church is alive and resplendent with joy. Jesus is risen!

This is emphasized in a particular in many Eastern Churches. The week following Easter Sunday is called "Bright Week," and refers to the light that Jesus has brought into the world.