In Greek Orthodox tradition, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday (known as Pascha) are the most significant days of the Holy Week leading up to Easter. Here’s a breakdown of what traditionally happens during these days:
Good Friday (April 18, 2025)
Good Friday is a solemn and deeply emotional day for Orthodox Christians. It commemorates the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Morning: The Church holds a special service called the Royal Hours, which includes readings and hymns from the Psalms, as well as commemorations of the various events that took place leading up to Christ’s crucifixion.
Afternoon: The Epitaphios (Funeral of Christ) service takes place. This is a key feature of Good Friday, symbolizing the funeral procession of Jesus. The Epitaphios is a beautifully decorated icon or cloth depicting Christ’s body after the Crucifixion, which is placed on an altar or raised platform.
Evening: The Epitaphios Procession occurs, where worshipers gather outside the church and walk through the streets holding candles, singing hymns that mourn Christ’s death. The procession is usually followed by a sense of deep reflection and reverence.
Holy Saturday (April 19, 2025)
Holy Saturday marks the day that Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. It is a day of vigil and anticipation of the Resurrection.
Morning: During the Vesperal Liturgy of Pascha (the evening liturgy), the church prepares for the Resurrection. It’s a more subdued service compared to other days of the Holy Week.
Late Night (Midnight Service): The most important event of Holy Saturday is the Midnight Service. This is the beginning of Easter, also known as the Paschal Vigil.
The Holy Light Ceremony: Just before midnight, the priest enters the altar with the Paschal Candle, and worshippers await the lighting of their candles from the Holy Light, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ. This marks the transition from mourning to celebration.
Midnight Mass (The Paschal Service): The priest chants, “Christ is Risen!” and the congregation responds, “Truly He is Risen!” The faithful sing the Paschal Hymn, “Christos Anesti” (“Christ is Risen”), and the joyous ringing of bells fills the church, celebrating Christ’s victory over death.
Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025)
Easter Sunday, known as Pascha, is the most joyous and celebratory day of the entire year for Greek Orthodox Christians. It marks the Resurrection of Christ.
Morning: The first part of the Easter day is spent in church. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated with jubilant music, festive hymns, and an overwhelming sense of joy. The highlight of the service is the Kali Anastasi (Good Resurrection) greeting, where worshippers greet each other with “Christos Anesti!” (“Christ is Risen!”) and respond with “Alithos Anesti!” (“Truly He is Risen!”).
Afternoon: Following the Divine Liturgy, families gather to break the Lenten fast and enjoy a celebratory meal. The traditional Easter meal often includes lamb, magiritsa (a soup made with lamb offal), and the famous tsoureki (a sweet, braided bread) and dyed red eggs, symbolizing the blood of Christ and the renewal of life.
Throughout the Day: A popular tradition is the Tsougrisma or egg-cracking game. Each person cracks their red-dyed egg against another person’s egg, and the person whose egg doesn’t crack is considered lucky for the year.
These days are filled with intense religious observances, family gatherings, and a strong sense of community. It’s a time for reflection, renewal, and celebration of the central mystery of the Christian faith: Christ’s death and resurrection. The atmosphere shifts from mourning on Good Friday to joy and celebration by the time Easter Sunday arrives.
