Easter in Cyprus: Faith, Family & Feasts
Easter brings Cypriot families together. It combines religious devotion with joyful celebrations. After 40 days of Lenten fasting, the feast begins.
Easter in Cyprus: The Scent of Celebration
On Easter Sunday, the smell of roasting meat fills villages. Families prepare souvla – tender lamb or pork cooked over charcoal. The slow roasting creates juicy, flavourful meat.
A Feast to Remember
The Easter meal is the highlight. Long tables fill with food, wine, and laughter. Alongside souvla, families serve fresh salads, flaounes, and red-dyed eggs. Everyone eats, drinks, and shares stories.
Tradition & Warmth
Friends and relatives visit each other’s homes. Children play games with the dyed eggs. The atmosphere is full of love and tradition. Easter in Cyprus is more than a holiday – it’s a cherished experience.
Preparations for Holy Week
Cypriots begin Easter preparations weeks in advance. Families clean their homes thoroughly. They bake the traditional flaounes (cheese pastries) and tsoureki (sweet Easter bread). Women dye eggs red, symbolizing Christ’s blood.
Palm Sunday (Kyriaki ton Baion)
Churches distribute palm leaves to commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. People weave the leaves into crosses. Families attend liturgy and prepare for Holy Week.
Holy Thursday (Megali Pemti)
I some villages women finish cooking the flaounes and bake avgoules (small sweet buns) and. Churches hold the Service of the Holy Passion. Priests reenact Christ’s washing of the disciples’ feet.
Good Friday (Megali Paraskevi)
The day is solemn. Bells toll mournfully. Churches decorate the Epitaphios (Christ’s funeral bier) with flowers. Evening processions take place in every village. People follow the Epitaphios through the streets, holding candles.
Holy Saturday (Megalo Savvato)
At midnight, churches hold the Resurrection Service. Just before midnight, all lights extinguish. The priest announces “Christos Anesti!” (Christ is Risen!), and the faithful reply “Alithos Anesti!” (Truly He is Risen!). People light candles and share the Holy Light. Fireworks light up the sky.
Easter Sunday (Kyriaki tou Pascha)
Families gather for a festive feast. They crack red eggs, symbolizing Christ’s resurrection. The feast starts with a traditional soup “avgolemono” and followed by the main dish souvla (slow-roasted lamb or goat). People enjoy wine, salads, and traditional sweets.
Easter in Cyprus: Village Traditions
Some villages keep unique customs. In Palaichori, people throw pots from balconies to ward off evil. In Agros, locals roast lamb in outdoor ovens.
Family and Community Bonding
Easter is a time for family reunions. Neighbours exchange food and sweets. Children play games with dyed eggs. The celebrations last all day.
Conclusion
Easter in Cyprus blends deep religious devotion with rich traditions. From solemn processions to joyful feasts, Cypriots celebrate with faith, food, and family. The customs unite communities and keep cultural heritage alive.
You May Also Like This
Orthodox Easter Sunday in Cyprus: https://homeiscyprus.com/orthodox-easter-sunday-in-cyprus-our-way-of-life-in-cyprus/
