In the Deep South Easter meant new clothes, Easter eggs, “Up from the Grave He Arose” and a large lunch after church with my grandparents. I listened to the teachings in Sunday School of Jesus being crucified and rising on Easter Sunday. I guess I thought that everyone around the world marked the occasion known as “Easter” just as I did.
In Greece and in other Orthodox countries, the big event of Easter happens on the Saturday before Orthodox Easter and is called the Saturday of Light, or Sapt il-Noor. At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Patriarch of the Orthodox church goes alone into the small chapel in the church. He wears only a plain white robe. In his hands are two candles.
Before entering, clerics of the churches careful examine the Patriarch to ascertain he has no matches, lighters or firestarters of any kind on his person. The Patriarch goes in and kneels in front of the stone said to be where Jesus' body was placed for burial. Suddenly it is said a bright blue light arrives as though from lightning. This blue light ignites the candles held by the Patriarch. Triumphantly he emerges from the darkness of the tomb lifting high the lit candles.
A loud roar goes up from the crowd with many pressing close in to the Patriarch hoping their candles will light from his. It has been said that every year candles and oil lamps in the hands of believers light spontaneously from the Patriarch's candle.
From the Church of the Holy Sepulchre the Patriarch moves to a waiting car to ride to the airport in Jerusalem to board a Greek Air Force jet for the ride to Athens. The Holy Fire arrives in Athens at about 6:30 on Holy Saturday and is greeted by dignitaries and a host of clerics. Carefully the Patriarch extends his burning candle and the clerics light their candles from the Holy Flame.
These clerics hurry to other cars and planes to make their way to churches all over the Greek Isles. By 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. the Holy Fire has reached each parish in preparation for the midnight service celebrating the Resurrection of Christ. Often international television stations will show footage of the jet from Jerusalem arriving in Athens.
In the spring of 1971, I was a student at Mississippi College. A friend invited me to attend the Easter service at the Greek Orthodox Church in Jackson. I was puzzled because I’d just returned from Easter holiday. (She explained to me that the Orthodox churches calculate Easter by the Julian Calendar; we use the Gregorian Calendar. Every few years these calendars coincide and we celebrate the holiday on the same date.)
The time of the service puzzled me as well – 11 p.m. on Saturday evening. We entered the church in almost total darkness. The only light was a pair of candles on the altar. The service began very quietly and solemnly. The priest talked of the body of Jesus being put in the tomb, the dark and chill of the tomb, the stillness; I felt the physical sensation of cold and dark.
At a point in the service, everyone was given a candle. The priest lit his candle from the one on the altar and passed the light to the congregation. As a candle was lit, passing from person to person, the refrain “Christos Anesti (Christ is risen”) and “Alithos Anesti (truly He is risen) began to swell through the crowd.
As the candles joined together to make a great light, the congregation began to say in unison “Christos Anesti, Christos Anesti.” It began softly and grew to a crescendo … “Christ is risen, Christ is risen.”
The church bells began to ring, and the previously dark and still church was glowing and alive with joy. I suddenly realized that tears were running down my face. It was the first time that the whole story of Easter came together for me.
In Orthodox Christianity, eggs are so much more than brightly colored objects to be hidden by a rabbit and found by children. For this branch of Christianity the egg symbolizes the empty rock tomb from which Jesus emerged triumphant after his Crucifixion. The early Christians in Mesopotamia stained the eggs red to signify the blood of Christ, shed on the Cross for all men.
In addition, the Greek people use these red eggs for a game called tsougrisma. Two people tap two red eggs together to see which egg is strongest. Winning predicts good luck for the year.
Regardless of where in the world Christians celebrate Easter, one custom prevails: The joyful shout of “Christ is Risen - Christos Anesti!”
Greek Red Eggs
• 1 dozen raw eggs, at room temperature
• Skins from 15 yellow or Spanish Onions
• 2 Tblsp. white vinegar
• 4-1/2 cups water
Wash the eggs. Place the onion skins and vinegar in the water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Strain the dye into a glass bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature. The dye will only look orange at this time.
In the sauce pan place the raw eggs in a single layer and cover with the dye. Boil over medium heat., then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer.
If the color of the red is not deep enough by 20 minutes remove pan from the heat but leave the eggs in the dye until it cools. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and let drip on racks. Dry the eggs with a soft cloth, then polish with a few drops of olive oil. n
Fran Ginn is former chef/owner of The Back Door Café, who retired after 31 years in the food industry to be a grandmother. She can be contacted at fran@franginn.com.
