Cyprus Travel Blog

Easter time in Cyprus is the important time in the Cypriot religious  calender.

In keeping with Cypriot traditions, the female members of the family prepare flaounes and dyed boiled eggs on the Holy Thursday.

Flaounes are a savoury cheese pie (tyropitta) with mint and sometimes raisins

The eggs are hard boiled and dyed either red or yellow.

Also, church icons are covered with black veils or sheets on Holy Thursday.

On Good Friday, a lunch time meal of lentil soup with vinegar is eaten.

After evening mass a procession is held through the streets with the carrying of the "Epitafios" (Holy Sepulchre), a basic canopy with an icon of Christ - which is supposed to represent the body of Christ. Fireworks are lit as the Epitafios passes by and hymens are sung by the worshippers following.

On Holy Saturday, the black veils are removed from the church icons at morning mass, and the church bells are rung for the resurrection service.

The evening services at midnight is started with lighting of a bon fire and candles; and at midnight the priest greets everyone with the message "Christos Anesti" or Christ has risen - to which the worshippers reply "Alithos Anesti" or Indeed He Has Risen.

Easter Sunday, after morning mass, is day of family celebration. The prepared dyed eggs are cracked and the flaounes are eaten bringing to an end the forty days of fasting. At lunchtime the air is filled the smell of Souvla (Spit Roasted Pork and Lamb) being prepared.

Easter is a  truly special time in Cyprus.