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Thessaloniki during Easter is a unique experience and a great chance to take part in the traditional customs and rituals of the Holy Week. You will be able to experience the commemoration of the Passion of Christ and His Resurrection with complimentary Easter bread (tsoureki), Easter candles, and Easter eggs so you can take part in the celebrations.
Epitaphios
In the evening of Good Friday, a procession takes place led by the Epitaphios, a wooden canopied bier covered with flowers representing the tomb of Christ. The Epitaphios is followed by priests and people follow along through the city, listening to psalms. We highly reccomend you visit the junction of Tsimiski str. and Kouskoura str., where the Epitaph of the Metropolis of Thessaloniki and the Church of Hagia Sophia usually meet around 9 p.m.
Resurrection
On Saturday night just before midnight join the locals at the Hagia Sophia church for a festive celebration of light. Once it becomes midnight, the church goes dark and the bells ring out in proclamation of Christ's Resurrection. People cheer and set off fireworks and firecrackers in joyous celebration. The priest will light a candle symbolizing Christ's eternal flame, which will be shared around by all attendees with their own Easter candles. It is truly a magical moment!
Egg Cracking
Despite this deep religious meaning, egg cracking has evolved into a fun tradition for all ages, which many look forward to each Easter. Everyone selects one egg and the egg cracking begins! One cracks their chosen egg on top of another’s chosen egg, saying “Christos Anesti” (meaning “Christ has risen”) and the other responds, “Alithos Anesti” (meaning “Indeed, he did!”). The winner with the un-cracked egg is said the have good luck for the whole year. Egg cracking, starts on the night of the Resurrection Service and continues the next day at the Greek Easter feast.
Mayiritsa
After the Resurrection Service, Greeks flock to nearby restaurants where they are served a traditional Greek Easter soup called "Mayiritsa". Our chef has prepared a one-of-a-kind menu to celebrate the Ressurection at the hotel's restaurant, Olympos Naoussa.
On Easter Sunday, our chef will create a unique experience in the garden of Olympos Naoussa where guests will be able to participate in the celebrations with spit roasted lambs, tsipouro and traditional music. A set menu to share will be served with various salads and starters and for the main course a delicious a la minute spit roasted lamb.
