It’s Time to Celebrate Greek Easter — Queerly

From Sappho to Souvla: A Queer Revival of Cypriot Tradition

Photos by on Unsplash (left) and by author

“How is Greek Easter different from American Easter?”

It’s a question I’m asked often — by friends, acquaintances, and even the occasional stranger curious about the traditions my family follows.

The short answer? Both honor the resurrection of Christ, but Greek Easter comes with its own set of traditions, foods, and customs that set it apart.

Our Easter follows the Eastern Orthodox calendar, meaning some years, it coincides with Western Easter. Other years, the two fall weeks apart.

I remember one year when Western Easter took place in March, while Greek Easter didn’t come until May. I think that’s the longest gap I’ve personally experienced between the two.

This year, they fall on the same day (Sunday, April 20th).

Growing up, I took part in Greek Easter traditions firsthand. Born in a seaside village in Cyprus, my dad moved to Michigan at sixteen to finish high school and attend college. He passed his culture down to us through language, food, and celebration.

Greek folk dance classes, the annual festival at our local church, and elaborate murals of saints watching over us in candlelit…