Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! By Cyprus Property

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! The carnivals are over and Lent is almost over – a 40 day fasting period of no meat, poultry or dairy products is near the end. The bakeries accommodate those who fast by adding dairy- free, egg-free and meat-free pastries and cookies to their already vast array of goodies.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! Generally, fasting is followed more strictly in the villages of Cyprus than in the towns, but most restaurants and takeaways also add fasting dishes to their menus during this period.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! As Easter draws near, an air of festivity envelops the towns and villages. During Holy Week (the week preceding Easter Sunday) there is a flurry of church-going, shopping for new clothes and baking.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! The smell of the traditional Cypriot flaounescooking, combined with the heady scent of orange blossoms in the air and the sound of singing which emanates from the churches, creates an atmosphere of expectation - a feeling that something good is just around the corner.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! Easter is the most important religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox Church. The date of Greek Orthodox Easter is based on a modified Julian calendar. In 2012 Greek Orthodox Easter will be on April 15 th.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! Thursday of Holy Week is when the wonderful aromas begin to waft out onto the streets as this is traditionally the day when housewives start preparing the flaounes (small loaves made of flour, eggs, cheese, mint and sometimes raisins). These are shaped into triangles, sprinkled with sesame seeds then baked in the oven.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! Tiropites (small cheese pies in puff pastry), paskies (small meat pies) and koulouria (biscuits made of milk, flour, spices and sugar) are also prepared. Eggs are hard boiled and dyed red in preparation for games on Sunday. Everywhere is a hive of activity.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! On the Friday morning before Easter (Good Friday or “Great Friday” as it is called in Greek) families, carrying flowers, gather in the churches. The flowers are collected and used by young girls to decorate the Epitafios (Holy Sepulchre) during the service. TheEpitafios is a four-post litter with a canopy in which the icon of Christ is placed.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! Early Friday evening a solemn service is held in all churches where the decorated Epitafios is carried into the streets, for a short procession, then returned to the church for a continuation of the service. On Easter Saturday two services are held in church - one in the early morning and another at 11 p.m.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! Before the 11 p.m. service, which is called "The Ceremony of the Resurrection," church bells peal out in the villages and towns of Cyprus calling everyone to come and celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Huge bonfires are lit in the churchyards and slowly people begin to gather there. Every person carries a large unlit lampada (candle) and there is a general feeling of excitement in the air.

Easter in Cyprus It is Almost Here! Thank You Cyprus Please visit /archive/2012/03/11/easter-in-cyprus-2012-it-is- almost-here.aspx For more details.