Milwaukee Orthodox vs. American Easter: The Difference Between

Krista Scheler, a junior at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, remembers texting her friend Eleni Triantos “Happy Easter” followed by bunny emojis. Eleni responded, “Thank you, but I’m Greek Orthodox faith, I embrace celebrating Easter on a different day than the generic store-bought calendar says to.”

For Greeks, Easter, also known as Pascha, is the biggest religious holiday of the year as it has a direct connection with the Orthodox faith and is celebrated on a different day as it’s governed by three conditions.

Those conditions are: It must be based on the Julian calendar not the Gregorian, it must be after the Jewish holiday of Passover, and it must be on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox.

Compared to Western Easter, Orthodox Easter is in no way commercialized by chocolate, Easter bunnies or pastel colors. Rather, it is a festivity deeply rooted tradition filled with church, lamb and red dyed eggs.

The date you celebrate Easter depends on the calendar your religion follows. Western churches use the Gregorian calendar, which is the standard calendar for much of the world. However, Orthodox churches followed the older Julian calendar.

“Growing up with a Catholic mother and Greek-Orthodox father, I assumed every family celebrated two Easters,” said Peter Christopoulos, 40, who is a dental hygienist and lives in New Berlin. “You can only imagine my confusion when I learned I was the only kid in my third-grade class who observed two different Easters.”

The reason the two Easters are on different days is because Western Easter uses a different set of calculations that are based on the current Gregorian calendar instead of using the ancient Julian calendar that the Orthodox faith still uses today.

By following the Julian calendar, Orthodoxy prohibits Easter from being celebrated before or at the same time as Passover. However, sometimes (such as in 2014), the Gregorian and Julian calendar align, thus having both Easters celebrated on the same day, which won’t happen again until 2034.

“When I was younger, my parents never allowed me to participate in any Easter egg hunts, have my picture taken with the Easter Bunny, or let me have an Easter basket,” said Peggy Gianopoulos, 32, who is a music therapist and lives in Waukesha.

Preparation for Easter begins with Kathra Deftera (Clean Monday), which is the first day of Lent. Similar to Western faith, it is a period of time where individuals are supposed to be more conscious of their spiritual character.

For 60 days, you need to try avoiding eating anything that comes from animals that have blood in their veins. However, not many people follow this rule too strictly until the week before Easter, as it’s a complete fast where no meat, dairy, fish or poultry dishes are prepared or consumed.

“I thought giving up meat for 60 days would be hard, but it wasn’t,” said Vicki Callas. “My religion requires me too fast for 60 days before Easter, 40 days before Christmas, and every Wednesday and Friday, I decided to go vegan when I turned 15.”

There are many traditions that revolve the week leading up to Easter. Megali Evdomada (Holy Week) is when Orthodox churches hold at least one service per day as the week is dedicated to reliving the revival of Jesus’ final days. The days of the week are broken down as:

Megali Deftera (Holy Monday) is the first day of Holy Week, where churchgoers can attend a special service and kiss the icon of Christ.

Megali Triti (Holy Tuesday) is a day full of mourning. The women in the family bake Koulourakia (Easter cookies) that are to be eaten after the fast is over on Saturday.

On Megali Tetarti (Holy Wednesday), there is a special church service where worshippers can be blessed with oil that symbolizes good luck. All household chores need to be done before sunset.

“I enjoyed going to church on Megali Tetarti and being blessed with the oil,” said Angela Tsiampas. It makes me feel less stress as I prepare myself for final exams.”

Megali Pempti (Holy Thursday), is when church services start early in the morning in order for churchgoers to bow before Christ on the Cross. Women spend their day dyeing eggs red to symbolize life, victory, and the blood of Christ. Tsoureki (Greek Easter bread) is also made. These items are then placed on the Easter table and will be eaten after Saturday.

“I enjoy coming home after work on Megali Pempti,” said Peggy Pappas. “The smell of Tsoureki in the oven breaks my noise with its citrusy, cinnamon scent.”

Megali Paraskevi (Holy Friday) is the most sacred day of Holy week. Church bells are rung all day to indicate the funeral of Christ. Women of the church decorate the Epitafio, and at 9 p.m., churchgoers participate in a quite procession of heading outside and walking around the church while carrying candles.

On Megali Savvato (Holy Saturday), the church is decorated with flowers. The Anastasi (Resurrection), takes place at midnight and is the culmination of Holy Week. For those who are of Greek Orthodox faith, attending church for the midnight service and the lighting of the Holy Flame is a blessed tradition.

“Exactly at midnight, Father John passes the Holy Flame throughout the congregation,” said George Sideris, an altar boy at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. “He lights everyone’s candle with cries of Christos Anesti! (Christ is Risen).

Father John and fellow churchgoers hymn Christos Anesti (Christ is risen). English Translation: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs, granting life.

After the service, churchgoers take their lit candles home and make the sign of a cross with the black from the candle in the doorway of their homes before entering. The magnificent week full of sentiment, tradition and fasting is over.

“This year’s Holy Week is one I’ll never forget,” said Gia Xenakis. “My mom was driving home at 2am and got pulled over for having a lit candle in her hand while driving. To get out of a ticket, she gave the cop a history lesson about the holy light and traditions of the orthodox pasha.”

On Kyriaki tou Paska (Easter Sunday), families and friends meet up to eat Mageiritsa and play tsougrisma, as they roast lamb and celebrate with food, wine, music, and dancing.

“Easter creates this tangible feeling of frenzy in the air,” said Maria Vasiliou. “It is filled with love, gratitude, laughter, and the smell of lamb.”