10 + 1 Easter Traditions in Cyprus no one should miss!
You have all heard of the Big Fat Greek Wedding, right? News Flash: All celebrations in Cyprus tend to follow the same concept, whether you like it or not. It’s not Cypriot unless it’s big, loud, involves loads of food and family, and by family we mean anyone remotely related to you. The bigger a celebration is, the better! The more the merrier! And…. Easter is no exception to the rule, and apart from the religious side, where everyone attends mass like three times a day till Easter Sunday, there are certain traditions linked to Easter that cry out Big Fat Easter in Cyprus!
Easter Decorations make an appearance in every single household! Cypriots are huge Easter fan and the more decorations they put up the merrier they feel on Easter Sunday! Thus, Cyprus overflows with Easter bunnies, Easter baskets, Easter eggs, Easter chicks and whatever new Easter decor is in fashion during the time.
Yummy Flaounes make their appearance! Flaounes (Cyprus Easter cheese pies) are found everywhere you go from supermarkets and bakeries to restaurants, as if they are conquering the world!
The Tsoureki makes its appearance! Tsoureki is a sweet Greek Easter bread that is traditionally braided and baked on Holy Thursday. You know the drill, supermarket stalls, bakeries, grocery shops and any place that can sell the tsoureki sells it! It’s like the Tsoureki is attacking Easter!
Granny conquers the kitchen! Traditionally Easter Sunday lunch is held at grandma’s house, so her kitchen looks like a bomb exploded and all of a sudden, she literally lives there (not that she doesn’t every other single day of the year)! But suddenly the smell of freshly baked flaounes fill the air and you know it’s totally worth it!
Easter Eggs fill the stalls! It’s not Easter unless the family gathers in grandma’s kitchen to dye the Easter obviously, the super granny does all the hard work while the rest of the family have coffee, nibble on special treats and catch up on their gossip!
It’s Egg Cracking time and boy, is it a contest for the fittest! Family members choose their Easter eggs carefully, making sure they are just as hard as they should be and tap each other’s eggs. The one which survives and remains intact-is the Easter winner! What’s the prize? Luck for the rest of the year!
It isn’t Easter if churches don’t turn into the busiest venue overnight! During Holy Week it becomes a mission to find a seat or even stand.
Candle Holding on Holy Saturday! Every Cypriot on earth rushes to church just before that priest says, ‘Christos Anesti’ (Christ has Risen), right on time to light their candles with the Holy Light!
After mass on Holy Saturday, it’s Avgolemoni Soup (Egg and Lemon Soup) time! After mass has ended, families gather to eat their midnight treat-a bowl of avgolemoni soup, crack the first Easter eggs and nibble on a flaouna.
And finally, it’s Bonfire Night! The kids leave their homes after having their soup and gather to light up their Judas bonfire! Apparently, the neighbourhood with the biggest bonfire is the winner of the unwritten Bonfire Competition.
And lastly, Sunday Easter Lunch is on, and believe us it’s definitely a mission to get out of it alive. Tables (not just one table) overflow with special dishes, the lamb is on the spit and the souvla is rolling. There is no way you cannot overdo it! You leave your granny’s feeling like a whale, but what the heck, it’s Easter!
Experience a true Cyprus Easter like a local at any of the Louis Hotels in Limassol and Paphos! Choose from The Royal Apollonia, Louis Ledra Beach, Louis Phaethon Beach, Louis Imperial Beach, Louis Ivi Mare, Louis Paphos Breeze, and have an amazing Easter! Kalo Pasxa everyone!