Easter Sunday in Greece

Meaning and date

Pascha celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Greece, it is a movable feast observed on a Sunday; the date follows the Orthodox Church’s Paschal calculation, which uses the Julian calendar.[2][3]

The Sunday belongs to the wider Holy Week observance. Greek government information describes Holy Week preparations, church services and Easter customs as part of the country’s religious and folk culture.[2]

How people observe it

The Resurrection service takes place late on Holy Saturday. Worshippers gather with candles, and the greeting “Christos Anesti” (“Christ is risen”) marks the celebration. Families may continue with a meal after the service, then gather again for the Sunday feast.[2]

Customs vary between places and households. The Greek government’s account describes red-dyed eggs, which are cracked together, and notes that the red colour is associated with Christ’s blood. It also describes lamb roasted on a spit, especially in the countryside, as a central Easter Sunday meal.[2]

Other foods associated with the Easter table include tsoureki, a braided sweet bread, magiritsa soup and kokoretsi, a grilled tripe roll. These are traditions rather than a fixed menu, and observance differs across Greece.[2]

Work, closures and planning

Greek labour rules generally prohibit industrial, craft and commercial work, as well as professional activity, on Sundays. The rules provide exceptions for certain businesses and workers, so Sunday opening is not uniform. The same official guidance lists Easter Monday—not Easter Sunday—as a mandatory holiday for all businesses and work activities.[1]

The law does not provide an automatic substitute weekday for Easter Sunday. Because Sunday work restrictions have exceptions, check directly with a shop, restaurant or service before relying on it being closed or open. Confirm plans for banks, public offices, museums or transport with the relevant provider.[1]