A unique experience worth remembering!
The Holy Week Traditions in Cyprus is a week full of religious and traditional events, that everyday there is something different going on in the country, especially on villages.
Easter traditions in Cyprus typically begin with the start of Holy Week, which is the week leading up to Easter Sunday. This week includes various religious observances and customs, such as attending church services, fasting, and participating in special rituals. Holy Week is also a time for Cypriots to come together as a community, offering support to one another and participating in acts of charity and kindness.
In this article you can find how Traditional Easter in Cyprus is dedicated to massive events and preparations one week before Easter:
Palm Sunday: the Sunday before Easter
Is called so because it commemorates the day when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem, and the people welcomed him by waving palm branches and laying them in his path. This event is described in the four Gospels of the New Testament of the Bible. The waving of palm branches was a gesture of honour and recognition, symbolizing Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city as the Messiah, fulfilling the prophecy of the Old Testament. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most solemn and significant period in the Christian liturgical calendar, leading up to Easter Sunday.
Holy Monday:
Holy Monday, the second day of Holy Week, is marked by solemnity and reflection among Cypriots, highlighting the significance of Jesus’ teachings and actions. The term “holy” underscores the sacredness of this period in Christian belief.
On Holy Monday before Easter, Cypriots typically engage in several traditions to mark the beginning of Holy Week:
- Church Services: Cypriots attend special church services, reflecting on the significance of Holy Week and deepening their spiritual preparation for Easter.
- Culinary Traditions: Holy Monday include fasting observances, aligning with the solemnity of the week, abstaining from meat, dairy, and other animal products.
- Reflection and Prayer: Holy Monday is a time for reflection, prayer, and contemplation of the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. It sets the tone for the rest of Holy Week, encouraging hearts and minds with the profound journey towards Easter.
Holy Tuesday:
Tuesday is called holy because it falls within Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar. Each day of Holy Week holds significance as it commemorates events leading to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The term “holy” is used to denote the sacred nature of the week and its importance in Christian belief and tradition.
On Holy Tuesday in Cyprus, Cypriots often continue their observance of Holy Week with a focus on spiritual reflection and preparation for the events leading up to Easter. While there may not be specific cultural traditions unique to Holy Tuesday, Cypriots typically participate in the church services, including special liturgies and prayers held during Holy Week. These services often include readings and teachings related to the events of Jesus’ last days before his crucifixion.
Holy Wednesday: Betrayal of Judas
This Wednesday is also known as Spy Wednesday. The term “Spy Wednesday” originates from the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, which traditionally occurred on this day according to Christian belief. Judas Iscariot is traditionally believed to have planned with the religious authorities to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver on this day.
This event, known as Spy Wednesday in some traditions, serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human nature and the themes of loyalty and betrayal.
Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper
This day is called Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday in some Christian traditions. The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word “mandatum,” meaning commandment, referring to Jesus’ commandment to his disciples to love one another as he has loved them. This is often symbolized by the act of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper, an event that typically takes place on Holy Thursday. Is also marks the institution of the Eucharist or Holy Communion during the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, establishing the sacrament of the Eucharist in Christian tradition. Additionally, Holy Thursday is associated with the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed before his arrest, leading to his crucifixion on Good Friday.
In Cyprus, the decorating of Easter eggs typically takes place on Holy Thursday or Good Friday. Families gather to dye eggs in red or vibrant colours and sometimes decorate them with intricate designs or symbols. In Eastern European and Orthodox Christian traditions, red eggs represent the blood of Christ shed on the cross and the triumph of life over death through his resurrection. In other cultures, red eggs symbolize fertility, rebirth, and new life, reflecting the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature. These decorated eggs are often used in Easter games and activities, such as egg rolling or egg tapping competitions, adding joy and festivity to the Easter celebrations. The tradition has it that eggs are dyed in natural ways, with: “rizari” or onion leaves for red eggs and yellow marguerites for yellow eggs.
One of the most prominent customs is the preparation of the famous “flaounes” (in Cypriot language “φλαούνες”), that is a significant part of Easter celebrations in Cyprus. Flaounes is a traditional pastry made with different kind of cheeses, eggs & mint filling, usually in triangular or square shapes. Cypriot families traditionally come together to bake these delicious treats, often following handed-down recipes passed through generations. Furthermore, you can find a different kind of “flaounes” with lamb and onions inside the filling, only in Paphos and are called “Paskies”.
Families also make “koulouria” or cheese pies and enjoy them during Easter Sunday festivities, symbolizing the end of Lenten fasting and the joy of Christ’s resurrection.
Good Friday: Jesus crucifixion
Holy Friday is more commonly known as Good Friday in Christian tradition. This Friday it is considered “good” because it represents the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus for the redemption of humanity.
Since Jesus agonized on the cross for six hours, crucified, suffered, and died, it is a day of sorrow, strictly fasting, prayer, and contemplation, as believers reflect on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and the hope of salvation it offers. Tradition has it that at lunch people are cooking lentils, and by adding a spoon of vinegar, they taste of what Jesus experience on the cross.
Most of the churches in Cyprus, are organising “Epitafios” (the Holy Sepulchre) and is one of the most beautiful traditional events in Cyprus. They start from morning to decorate it with beautiful flowers, so everybody will come and admire the result. At night, during the church service, young men are carrying it around the neighbourhood, and everybody are following it back to the church, symbolizing the burial procession of Christ. Tradition has it that during the day, is good to visit 1, 3, or 7 churches that has “Epitafios”. These numbers came up because the number 3 is from the Holy Trinity and the number 7 from the 7 mysteries of Orthodoxy.
Holy Saturday:
Holy Saturday is the day before Easter and is the traditional end of Lent! Is particularly significant, as it involves intense preparations for the midnight Resurrection service and the culmination of Easter festivities. This day is known as “Great Saturday” or “Μεγάλο Σάββατο” in Greek Orthodox tradition.
Churches across the island are adorned with flowers and candles in preparation for the midnight Resurrection service, known as the “Anastasis”, (in Cypriot language “Ανάσταση”). This service marks the culmination of Holy Week, commemorating the moment of Christ’s victory over death. In some Christian denominations, Holy Saturday is observed with special liturgies and services, including the Easter Vigil, which typically takes place after sundown on Holy Saturday and marks the beginning of Easter Sunday. The Easter Vigil is a time of prayer, scripture readings, and the lighting of the Paschal candle, symbolizing the light of Christ entering the world.
During Saturday’s midnight mass, they usually light huge bonfires, as a ritual that signifies the burning of Judas Iscariot. Families that were faithfully fasting on the entire period of Lent, they first break their fast after the church mass, late on Saturday, with “Avgolemono” soup. A traditional Cypriot soup with boiled chicken, rice, eggs & lemon.
Sunday: the Easter
The air resonates with the sound of church bells, and vibrant processions fill the streets, symbolizing renewal, and unity. It’s a time of joy, reflection, and cherished moments.
It’s called Easter Sunday since it is the most important date in the Christian calendar. Is the celebration of Jesus Resurrection, according to the Gospels, on the third day after his crucifixion. After church, Cypriots will gather all together and start the preparations for lunch. The traditional Cypriot “Souvla” (in Cypriot language “Σούβλα”) is made from goat or lamb meat, and Cypriots will feast, crack the eggs, and celebrate Easter with music and dancing. Cracking the eggs, is a fun competition between Cypriot families, since the winner is the person who is left with the un-cracked egg. That day usually they say: “Καλό Πάσχα” Kalo Pascha (Happy Easter) or “Χριστός Ανέστη” Christos Anesti (Christ is Risen) and for the next 40 days, the greetings between people are: Christos Anesti and the reply is “Αληθώς Ανέστη” (which it means that the other person confirm that the Jesus has Risen)
Easter celebrations in Cyprus is a unique time to experience local religious and cultural traditions, since Cypriot Orthodox Church plays a vital role on the entire Cypriot community that is bringing together families and friends to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Holy Week celebrations is the ideal time to visit Cyprus, eat the famous Cypriot Souvla, crack Easter red eggs, taste chocolate Easter bunnies and much more.
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