Greek Orthodox Easter

Krysteena Atienza is a Roman Catholic who has been living in Greece for the past two Easter seasons, where many Catholics celebrate Lent and Easter with the Greek Orthodox Church. This was written in collaboration with her husband, for the Anti-Racism Committee at St. Ignatius Parish.

Kali sarakosti (Καλή σαρακοστή)! This literally means “Good 40-days” in Greek. In Greece, there are many greetings specifically for the beginning of an event. There are also specific greetings for religious occasions in addition to the common ordinary greetings you hear all year round, such as good day, good week or good month. Since our arrival in Greece, we have been greeted by a vibrant Catholic community. Among those who greeted us are Maronites, Jesuits, Franciscans, Capuchins, and priests from all over the world now residing in the cradle of western civilization. Within the Catholic Greece we have visited, we saw a generally thriving church scene. 

In Athens, there are a handful of parishes that serve the faithful, including English, French, Filipino, Arabic, and of course, Greek speaking communities. Daily Mass is available mostly in Greek, with a day or two a week in English. All communities have Mass on all holy days of obligation. Seeing the many faithful participate in the Mass where we have visited was and is very encouraging. An unforgettable highlight living here is having the opportunity to visit places where the Apostles Paul and Andrew had been and where St. Lydia was baptized. The Catholic dioceses in Greece have been given papal dispensation to follow the eastern liturgical calendar, which celebrates the same fixed feasts of the west, while making adjustments to celebrate Easter on the same day as the Eastern churches that still use the Julian calendar. As a result, Catholics and Orthodox alike celebrate one Easter. This longstanding dispensation was put into place to promote communal harmony between patrimonies and serve as a foundation for an eventual and hopeful unity.

Additionally, our Catholic parish in Greece is known to participate in the Greek Easter festivities such as cracking the red eggs and cooking an entire lamb! We also get to see the fireworks on Saturday night and participate in the various evening processions among the Orthodox churches! In Thessaloniki there are five Orthodox parishes that have separate processions in different parts of the city which converge at some point. What a wonderful sight. Like similar processions within the Catholic landscape, each participant holds a candle as we walk the procession reciting prayers and hymns. In Greece you normally buy your own candle, traditionally provided by street vendors, available in different styles and decor. We were lucky enough to be here in Greece when both the eastern and western calendars were in sync in 2025 (something that happens every three years or so). This year our Ash Wednesday began on February 25, and Easter is on April 12. Notably, our Orthodox brothers and sisters highlight how Easter is the most important Christian feast in the east. They generally think that Christmas is more important in the west because of all the marketing and fanfare they see in the media when in fact Easter is also the most important feast in the west. Those we have discussed this with are quite surprised to learn this.

All in all, we love our experience in Greece and how much faith, hope, and love they pour into worship and practice. If you get a chance to visit don’t forget to participate in Mass if you are able. The Parthenon is cool. Jesus is infinitely cooler! Καλή σαρακοστή!

Eric & Krysteena Atienza