Our last visit to Pissouri was back in April 2012 where we stayed at the Aphrodite Gardens
, which is a five minute walk from the restaurants and bars in the vilage square. Although the complex has two swimming pools, we were not brave enough to use them and have a swim as the weather is slightly unpredictable at the start of April. We enjoyed our first easter in Cyprus, and what a great event is was!
EASTER IN CYPRUS
The period of fasting before Easter is called Apokria and starts in February at Carnival-time which is the traditional period of fasting.
The first week of Apokria is called Meat Week and this is the last that you can eat meat.
The second week is cheese week and also the last week to eat you can eat cheese and other dairy products.
This is the time of Lent and on Green Monday the fasting officially begins and lasts for 40 days. This day is a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus and people traditionally go on picnics and fly kites.
GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday is the day of the burial of Christ (Epitafios burial in Greek). The Perifora Epitafios, is a candlelit procession of a shrouded funeral bier and winds its way through the streets and then to the church, where celebrations take place.
EASTER SUNDAY
The Midnight mass on Easter Saturday/Sunday morning is the most important day of all and a time for much rejoicing and celebrating the anastasis (resurrection) of Christ.
Everyone rejoices saying Christos Anesti (Christ has risen) to each other. To this you reply, Alithos Anesti (truly he is risen). There are fireworks and then a candle-lit procession through the streets. Afterwards everyone goes home to enjoy a special meal.
The 40 days of fasting during Easter in Cyprus is broken by eating magiritsa Easter soup of lamb and avgolemoni with the dyed-red eggs and Easter flaounes and tsoureki.
Easter Sunday celebrates the end of the of fasting which began on Green Monday and the norm is for the families to enjoy roast lamb or barbecued lamb on spits.
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