As a Christian (born again) not going to Greek churches I am envious of the reverence there is in the Greek and Catholic churches that is missing in the Protestant churches.
I have studied the Bible for more than 20 years to weed out true from false. Although as I said I respect the reverence I see, but I must say in terms of scripture most of the entire service is not Biblically based. The early Church did not do it as they were all Jewish with a few proselytes untill the Church moved away from Israel and the Gentiles got involved.
Traditions, special services and anything else done to worship and adore God are wonderful, but they cannot be put before the cart. As a Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian Greek who never read the Bible during those times, I was amazed that after reading the Bible I found no "denominations".
I found only Jews and Gentiles.
The main thing was when Jesus said the the religious leader Nicodemus, you must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. That is pretty plain. So if U have all the other stuff and are not born again (accepting Jesus as Savior with your heart and mouth) U are toast, or will be.
Shalom
Jeff M
thank you for this greatarticle on "MY EASTER"
it's been hard to make the"americans" understand why our easter falls after the passover...when i try to tell some of my friends they look at me with no real interest of why...so maybe i can put this out in my newsletter which i do every month as editor in our monthly newsletter for the residents where i live....oh well...here goes and i hope it is of some interest to those who believe
Dear Rita,
I am an Orthodox Christian as well, and I want to thank you for such a beautiful witness to our traditions. You're right in that the depth of the beauty of Orthodoxy's celebration of the Resurrection cannot be adequately expressed. Thank you for sharing your Faith with the world. Nick Nicoloff
Why do Greeks use the “Us (Greeks) vs. Them (Americans)” tone? WE do Red not pastels, OUR lamb is roasted not chocolate, WE don't do bunnies. Following traditions and rituals is very nice, but it does not make one a true believer in Jesus Christ. Traditions have nothing to do with faith, so to attempt to triumph one tradition over another, in the name of Christ, does not make any sense.
It’s important to see where our traditions originate, rather than pointing out that our traditions are better than the next guys, as most “Proud Greek” emails do.
Mark 7:8 - “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
Mark 7:9 - And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
Mark 7:13 - Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
Psalm 40:4 - Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
It’s important to see where our traditions originate, rather than pointing out that our traditions are better than the next guys, as most “Proud Greek” emails do.
Mark 7:8 - “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
Mark 7:9 - And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
Mark 7:13 - Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
Psalm 40:4 - Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
Thanks for a wonderful article. I am not Greek; only Russian/slovak; but I have reared my family as Greek Orthodox. My husband speaks, reads & writes Greek, pretty good for second generation. My kids are Greek...and we love our Easter as you do just as we love being Greek...dancing, mystery, icons...the whole bag.
My daughter graduates this June and we are planning a "Big, Fat Greek Graduation Party" for her.
Rita
Truly He is Risen!
Greetings from Melbourne, Australia!
Nice article, however, it is important to remember that there is no such thing as "Greek Easter" - it is Orthodox Easter! Otherwise, this ethnic term excludes all the other Orthodox Christians of the world, such as the Russians and Americans who are Orthodox Christians. Yes, there are many American, Australian and British Orthodox too! Orthodoxy is not limited to ethnic boundaries and languages - Orthodoxy is universal.
Xristos Anesti Rita and Tom Hanks;
I enjoyed your article very much. My parents came to the United States from Greece in the early 1900s as so many others have done. As I read your article, my thoughts went back to my growing up in the early 30s. Our nine children, grandchildren and great grandchildren carry on our Easter celebration of the ressurection as did our forefathers and mothers.
I paid a surprise visit my 1st and 2nd grade school teacher yesterday and brought her a variety of our Greek pastries that my wife, Joan and our daughter-in-law, Ericka made for the occasion.
That beautiful lady (97 years young) was like a 2nd mother to me while I attended her classes.
She was, in fact, surprised to see me! She still very alert and bright as she ever was. I told her she doesn't look a day over 90. :-) We chatted for awhile and talked about the good old days back in the thirties. She, an Irish Catholic, even remembers how we celebrated our Easters and how and why they're celebrated at different dates.
I told her that my father used to say, "here in America, we celebrate Easter twice a year". :-)
Thank you again Rita, for sharing a fond moment of our Faith and Traditions.
Sincerely,
Charles S. Cotsis
Xristos Anesti Rita and Tom Hanks;
I enjoyed your article very much. My parents came to the United States from Greece in the early 1900s as so many others have done. As I read your article, my thoughts went back to my growing up in the early 30s. Our nine children, grandchildren and great grandchildren carry on our Easter celebration of the ressurection as did our forefathers and mothers.
I paid a surprise visit my 1st and 2nd grade school teacher yesterday and brought her a variety of our Greek pastries that my wife, Joan and our daughter-in-law, Ericka made for the occasion.
That beautiful lady (97 years young) was like a 2nd mother to me while I attended her classes.
She was, in fact, surprised to see me! She still very alert and bright as she ever was. I told her she doesn't look a day over 90. :-) We chatted for awhile and talked about the good old days back in the thirties. She, an Irish Catholic, even remembers how we celebrated our Easters and how and why they're celebrated at different dates.
I told her that my father used to say, "here in America, we celebrate Easter twice a year". :-)
Thank you again Rita, for sharing a fond moment of our Faith and Traditions.
Sincerely,
Charles S. Cotsis
Xristos Anesti Rita and Tom Hanks;
I enjoyed your article very much. My parents came to the United States from Greece in the early 1900s as so many others have done. As I read your article, my thoughts went back to my growing up in the early 30s. Our nine children, grandchildren and great grandchildren carry on our Easter celebration of the ressurection as did our forefathers and mothers.
I paid a surprise visit my 1st and 2nd grade school teacher yesterday and brought her a variety of our Greek pastries that my wife, Joan and our daughter-in-law, Ericka made for the occasion.
That beautiful lady (97 years young) was like a 2nd mother to me while I attended her classes.
She was, in fact, surprised to see me! She still very alert and bright as she ever was. I told her she doesn't look a day over 90. :-) We chatted for awhile and talked about the good old days back in the thirties. She, an Irish Catholic, even remembers how we celebrated our Easters and how and why they're celebrated at different dates.
I told her that my father used to say, "here in America, we celebrate Easter twice a year". :-)
Thank you again Rita, for sharing a fond moment of our Faith and Traditions.
Sincerely,
Charles S. Cotsis
Great Article, however the Easter described is best titled "Orthodox Easter" whose many members in countries (Russa, Bulgaria, Syria, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, etc.) essentially follow the same practices. The way the article is written does well to describe her experiences with the Orthodox Easter as practiced by the Greeks, yet leaves the impression that there are no other Orthodox who celebrate Easter in similar fashion.
Many thanks for your beautiful explanation of the Eastern Orthodox rite of Easter. As a second generation Greek American I always find myself having to explain to my non-Greek friends about our differences. Your explanation was very succinct. The only mistake, as far as I could see, was that you called our service a "Mass" We call it a Liturgy, the term Mass is a Catholic one.
As a fellow Catholic, I cannot fathom how you have chosen to align your Greek Orthodox beliefs with the Demococratic Party. Thia is where you lose me. With the tenets of Catholicism, your beliefs, as a Democrat, are outside of Greek Orthodox or Roman Catholic beliefs. Spin your beliefs, as you may, but it is what it is.
WARNING! THIS POST MY OFFEND YOU.
Around this time of the year,
because of the tilt of the Earth's axis, the sun reach its most northernmost point- summer solstice- and seem to stand still for few days, suggesting to pre-Christian cultures that the sun was dead; then as the sun reverse its motion in declination seems to move again, suggesting a resurection. The name solstice is derived from the latin: sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still).
Many cultures in preChristian times celebrated the solstices and equinoxes with elaborated festivals every years. I wonder if the authors of the NT were influenced by these solar events.
as a member of the anglican communion, i observe the Kalendar as given but it is quite plain, if you look out any window, Easter was declared far too soon this yr.Brilliantflowering shrubs all around us to remind us---somebody made a mistake. way too early this yr.
We do the 40 day fast. It is not too hard to do. Its not a question of piety - its a matter of self control. In today's world, that is one of our biggest downfalls: the total lack of self control and satiating our carnal natures.
I'm sorry, but when was self flagellation ever a part of the Orthodox tradition? Is that a sarcastic attempt to justify walking away from the teachings of the Holy Fathers?
The reason for my post was to illustrate how the Orthodox traditions set forth by the Holy Fathers have been neglected and set aside because it is to troublesome, difficult or otherwise a nuisance.
The communists realized that if they could weaken the Church with a calander schism, they would have more success with their vile agenda. The patriarch realized he could gain enormous power by playing along. They were right. The modern day treatment of the monks on Esphigmenou is a perfect example.
Now there are Orthodox who have no idea what their faith is really about since they have been so adroitly led astray by clergy who themselves have been confused.
Instead of communing with heretics, Bartholomew should be begging forgiveness.
It is the fault of the Bishops for allowing novelties and slack behaviour. It is the fault of the parishioners from not separating themselves - as they are directed - from Bishops who practice heresy.
The one thing the True Orthodox don't need is a puff job on Orthodoxy from hollywood.
Please read more carefully next time. Ms. Wilson said they fast and in addition hold off soda, but they did so this year. She didn't say they merely hold off the soda.
And I as the grandson and nephew of a priest and a most pious mother could never never do what my mother did and hold off milk and dairy for 40 days. I would die. But I did do it for 7 days.
Rita leaves one point out about taking communion at the service on Saturday night. You fast totally on Saturday leading up to the service. Yes, that's right. 18 hours without any food whatsoever. We drank water. But according to some people responding on this message board, apparently we were not doing it seriously enough. Maybe we should have flagellated ourselves too.
I can't believe the responses from some posters. In this article, Ms. Wilson is sharing a beautiful tradition with the world; attempting to give some of us who are not of this culture, religion, belief system an insight into the meaning of the rituals of the Greek Orthodox religion. I don't think Ms. Wilson is trying to explain the totality of the Orthodox Church in one article. Can any of you? Instead of appreciating the article for what it is, a sharing of traditions and rituals; some people instantly go for the petty negativity by pointing out the differences in religious beliefs, names, practices, etc. Wouldn't it be a better, more enriching experience for all readers if these "critics" share their traditions in a more positive manner? Here are the reactions I get reading Ms. Wilson's article and some bloggers responses: I smiled after the article because I learned something new; I'm filled with frustration and anger reading the critical bloggers because my take-way was that these are ignorant people.
By the way, I grew up in a staunch Catholic family and married into a Jewish family. Our two families have a difference of opinions in theology, but our major commonality is that we believe in God and we believe in treating people as humans. The two families respect and accept our differences and celebrate what we are able to teach one another.
Is this a naive view? Perhaps...but I would rather be naive than be angry and close-minded.
Thank you Ms. Wilson for teaching me something new.
The fast is supposed to be for 40 days - not Holy Week. It is so sad that so many Greeks have forsaken their heritage beginning with the communist inspired adoption of the new calendar.
Giving up sodas? What happened to foregoing meat, dairy and oil? Too difficult? Why not just join a Catholic parish?
Ritas explaination of the Greek Easter is exactly right!! Here in the middle of Africa, we have a Greek Orthodox Church called Agios Andreas, where as young children we congregated in awe as the Holy Week continued right up to Easter Saturday, and the Anastasi, In those days, there were so many Greek people that the church was filled to bursting, and we had to stand outside,all around the church, as soon as 12 o`clock midnight and the Xristos Anesti was heard, some of the congregation would let of fireworks, and the church bell would ring, unfortunately living in a multi nation country, the next door neighbour took exception to all this going on, and she called the police out!!Nowadays there are fewer Greeks here and the Church is usually 2/3ds full, but we still have this wondrous feeling, and at the end of it all, you have some lovely memories.
This was really beautiful.
It should be sent to the media and all news stations so that their can say it is the Greek Easter and not only Passover, that is all I have heard all week.Pasover this and Passover this. I did email to NBC and told them, but their must think I am crazy.
I believe that the media must recognize that there are Catholic Christians, the Jewish religion, and their are Greek Orthodox Christians in this world.
Kali Anastasi!
I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE PEOPLE WE ENJOY SEEING IN THE WORLD WE CALL TINSELTOWN KEEP THE FAITH OF GOD. THE ENTRY REGARDING THE LENTEN PERIOD, HOLY WEEK AND PASHA ARE ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND WONDERFUL FOR THOSE OF US WHO CELEBRATE THIS TIME OF YEAR AND YES IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME IN OUR CHURCH. HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT THE GREEK PEOPLE CELEBRATE THIS EASTER BUT THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO CELEBRATE THIS EASTER. I UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THEY ARE GROWING UP THEY REFER TO THIS AS "GREEK" EASTER. THIS IS "ORTHODOX" EASTER. IT IS CELEBRATED BY "ALL" ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS AND WE ALL CELEBRATE IT IN THE SAME WAY AND BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN ONLY HAVE EASTER AFTER THE PASSOVER. I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE NICE TO CLARIFY THIS STATEMENT AND LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT "ORTHODOX" EASTER IS CELEBRATED THIS WAY AND IT IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO "GREEKS". BY THE WAY I HAVE MANY GREEK FRIENDS AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE SO THIS IS NOT A SLAM TO ANYONE BY ANY MEANS. THANK YOU
A big thank you to Rita Wilson for writing this loving piece on Paska. However, she errs by referring to it as 'Greek Easter', when in fact it is Orthodox Easter (Paska). All of the Orthodox, whether they be Russian, Albanian, Antiochian, Japanese, Romanian, Ethiopian, Iritrean, etc., celebrate Paska in the same fashion and at the same time as the Greek Orthodox.
We are one church who shout Christ in Risen! Indeed He is Risen! in all the languages of the world!
Thank you Rita for such a wonderful article about the preparation for and celebration of Pascha! I live in NYC and attend the OCA Cathedral there. There is nothing like attending the services of Great Lent, the Presanctified Liturgies, everything leading up to this awesome Holy Week. The anticipation of Pascha, the beautiful music of the Church during these fasting days are among my favorites of the year. There is nothing like the priest and congregation of believers shouting Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! many times in so many different languages to proclaim this victory to the world. I can't imagine any other joy so great in this world when our Lord conquers death for us and I really feel that in the Orthodox celebrations. Wishing everyone and their families a blessed Pascha.
May God Bless you Rita with your precise and very passionate writing of the Orthodox Easter. It is my favourite time of the year because you sense the very depths of our faith and you truly feel His love for us. First is the fasting where you practically have to give up everything (you even have to watch the things that come out of your mouth), but somehow, even with this small sacrifice Jesus Christ finds a way to make things seem easier.
My little miracle. On the 4th May this year it will be 6 years that my sister (38 years old) passed away. She passed after a long battle with cancer (11 months). She was my angel. The miracle is that she passed on Holy Saturday at 9:25pm. Five minutes prior to her passing we were all sitting there in the hospital sought of waiting for her to go but we didn't know that it was going to be that day. I heard this voice saying "Get up and say the Xristos Anesti". I got up from where I was lying down and for some strange reason I didn't adhere to the voice straight away, again I heard it louder and more demanding the same words. I started shaking and crying. My family thought I was nuts "What's wrong with you?" they said. I said, "Quick, she's going, we have to chant". They didn't listen, so I got up, went to stand at her left side and started chanting without them. They realised then that they had no choice but to join me, so they did. What happened? We chanted the easter hymn once, twice and on the third? She stopped breathing. My beloved sister was gone.
The pain was unbearable for us but I'm sure that it was pure joy for my sister as she went to Heaven to spend the Resurrection with Our Lord. She also did all the necessary things to cleanse her soul, her confessions, her communions countless of times. I share my story with you as I do with everyone. People still love to hear it because it happened in our times. Miracles do happen, every minute of every day. Our Guardian Angel is waiting, right beside us and whispering at our conscience to do the right thing. When we hear this voice we shouldn't ignore it because it could save us from complete and utter disaster.
I thank God that we had such an awesome experience and wish all of the world "KALH ANASTASH".
May God Bless you Rita with your precise and very passionate writing of the Orthodox Easter. It is my favourite time of the year because you sense the very depths of our faith and you truly feel His love for us. First is the fasting where you practically have to give up everything (you even have to watch the things that come out of your mouth), but somehow, even with this small sacrifice Jesus Christ finds a way to make things seem easier.
My little miracle. On the 4th May this year it will be 6 years that my sister (38 years old) passed away. She passed after a long battle with cancer (11 months). She was my angel. The miracle is that she passed on Holy Saturday at 9:25pm. Five minutes prior to her passing we were all sitting there in the hospital sought of waiting for her to go but we didn't know that it was going to be that day. I heard this voice saying "Get up and say the Xristos Anesti". I got up from where I was lying down and for some strange reason I didn't adhere to the voice straight away, again I heard it louder and more demanding the same words. I started shaking and crying. My family thought I was nuts "What's wrong with you?" they said. I said, "Quick, she's going, we have to chant". They didn't listen, so I got up, went to stand at her left side and started chanting without them. They realised then that they had no choice but to join me, so they did. What happened? We chanted the easter hymn once, twice and on the third? She stopped breathing. My beloved sister was gone.
The pain was unbearable for us but I'm sure that it was pure joy for my sister as she went to Heaven to spend the Resurrection with Our Lord. She also did all the necessary things to cleanse her soul, her confessions, her communions countless of times. I share my story with you as I do with everyone. People still love to hear it because it happened in our times. Miracles do happen, every minute of every day. Our Guardian Angel is waiting, right beside us and whispering at our conscience to do the right thing. When we hear this voice we shouldn't ignore it because it could save us from complete and utter disaster.
I thank God that we had such an awesome experience and wish all of the world "KALH ANASTASH".
Interesting article. But being equally Orthodox as the Greeks, I get so tired of hearing everything Ortohdox referred to as GREEK Orthodox, which, in fact, comprises the smallest number of us Orthodox if we take into account the total number of all other Orthodox Christians: Albanian, Antiochian, Bulgarian, Rumanian, Russian, Ukranian and the autocephalous OCA, which includes many different ethnic Orthodox Christian groups. So why is it that the Greeks so ofte refer to themselves as "The Orthodox"? Or to Easter as "Greek Easter" or to "Great Lent" as Greek Lent? Get with it please! Let us get rid of the ethnicity and simply look at ourselves as "Orthodox Christians. Is there an essential difference among Orthodox Christians? Are we not as citizens of this country simply Americans with English as our national language? And are we not simply Orthodox Christians (and proud of it!)? Christos Voskres! Voistinu voskres. Or shouldn't I say: Christ is risen. Indeed He is risen.?
Being of Greek ancestery, I loved reading your posting of April 8, 2007 in the Washington Post on Greek Easter, clipped it out, and re-read it again this year.
It brought back many memories of when I was a child at Easter.
(I hope I am not too forward when I ask you if you and your husband, Tom Hanks (who I remember from when he lived in Cleveland...although he certainly doesn't know me)were married in the Greek Church?)
With Greek Easter coming up in April this year, I am a bit early, but I do wish you both, and your family, a very Happy, Blessed Easter.
All Comments (475)
As a Christian (born again) not going to Greek churches I am envious of the reverence there is in the Greek and Catholic churches that is missing in the Protestant churches.
I have studied the Bible for more than 20 years to weed out true from false. Although as I said I respect the reverence I see, but I must say in terms of scripture most of the entire service is not Biblically based. The early Church did not do it as they were all Jewish with a few proselytes untill the Church moved away from Israel and the Gentiles got involved.
Traditions, special services and anything else done to worship and adore God are wonderful, but they cannot be put before the cart. As a Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian Greek who never read the Bible during those times, I was amazed that after reading the Bible I found no "denominations".
I found only Jews and Gentiles.
The main thing was when Jesus said the the religious leader Nicodemus, you must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. That is pretty plain. So if U have all the other stuff and are not born again (accepting Jesus as Savior with your heart and mouth) U are toast, or will be.
Shalom
Jeff M
May 11, 2008 1:11 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 11, 2008 13:11
Gretchen wilson videos
May 8, 2008 9:47 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 8, 2008 21:47
Gretchen wilson videos
May 8, 2008 9:47 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 8, 2008 21:47
thank you for this greatarticle on "MY EASTER"
it's been hard to make the"americans" understand why our easter falls after the passover...when i try to tell some of my friends they look at me with no real interest of why...so maybe i can put this out in my newsletter which i do every month as editor in our monthly newsletter for the residents where i live....oh well...here goes and i hope it is of some interest to those who believe
May 8, 2008 4:16 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 8, 2008 16:16
Gretchen wilson when
May 8, 2008 9:37 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 8, 2008 09:37
Gretchen wilson when
May 8, 2008 9:37 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 8, 2008 09:37
I'm 53 years old (second generation Greek American) and I cried tears of joy after reading your expose. Bravo!
May 2, 2008 5:36 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 2, 2008 17:36
Couldn't stop laughing at the burning hair. The majority of us have had that happen (sometimes more than once) But no Mayiritsa after the Anastasi?
May 2, 2008 2:35 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 2, 2008 14:35
Christos Anesti!! Glory To God
I will share this with my Church School Teachers.
In Christ Doris
May 1, 2008 9:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 1, 2008 21:49
Dear Rita,
I am an Orthodox Christian as well, and I want to thank you for such a beautiful witness to our traditions. You're right in that the depth of the beauty of Orthodoxy's celebration of the Resurrection cannot be adequately expressed. Thank you for sharing your Faith with the world. Nick Nicoloff
May 1, 2008 2:56 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 1, 2008 14:56
Why do Greeks use the “Us (Greeks) vs. Them (Americans)” tone? WE do Red not pastels, OUR lamb is roasted not chocolate, WE don't do bunnies. Following traditions and rituals is very nice, but it does not make one a true believer in Jesus Christ. Traditions have nothing to do with faith, so to attempt to triumph one tradition over another, in the name of Christ, does not make any sense.
May 1, 2008 2:29 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 1, 2008 14:29
It’s important to see where our traditions originate, rather than pointing out that our traditions are better than the next guys, as most “Proud Greek” emails do.
Mark 7:8 - “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
Mark 7:9 - And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
Mark 7:13 - Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
Psalm 40:4 - Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
May 1, 2008 2:03 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 1, 2008 14:03
It’s important to see where our traditions originate, rather than pointing out that our traditions are better than the next guys, as most “Proud Greek” emails do.
Mark 7:8 - “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
Mark 7:9 - And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
Mark 7:13 - Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
Psalm 40:4 - Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
May 1, 2008 2:03 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 1, 2008 14:03
Thanks for a wonderful article. I am not Greek; only Russian/slovak; but I have reared my family as Greek Orthodox. My husband speaks, reads & writes Greek, pretty good for second generation. My kids are Greek...and we love our Easter as you do just as we love being Greek...dancing, mystery, icons...the whole bag.
My daughter graduates this June and we are planning a "Big, Fat Greek Graduation Party" for her.
Christos Anesti!
Monica Sokolsky Pappas
April 30, 2008 2:45 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2008 14:45
Rita
Truly He is Risen!
Greetings from Melbourne, Australia!
Nice article, however, it is important to remember that there is no such thing as "Greek Easter" - it is Orthodox Easter! Otherwise, this ethnic term excludes all the other Orthodox Christians of the world, such as the Russians and Americans who are Orthodox Christians. Yes, there are many American, Australian and British Orthodox too! Orthodoxy is not limited to ethnic boundaries and languages - Orthodoxy is universal.
April 30, 2008 1:28 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2008 01:28
Xristos Anesti Rita and Tom Hanks;
I enjoyed your article very much. My parents came to the United States from Greece in the early 1900s as so many others have done. As I read your article, my thoughts went back to my growing up in the early 30s. Our nine children, grandchildren and great grandchildren carry on our Easter celebration of the ressurection as did our forefathers and mothers.
I paid a surprise visit my 1st and 2nd grade school teacher yesterday and brought her a variety of our Greek pastries that my wife, Joan and our daughter-in-law, Ericka made for the occasion.
That beautiful lady (97 years young) was like a 2nd mother to me while I attended her classes.
She was, in fact, surprised to see me! She still very alert and bright as she ever was. I told her she doesn't look a day over 90. :-) We chatted for awhile and talked about the good old days back in the thirties. She, an Irish Catholic, even remembers how we celebrated our Easters and how and why they're celebrated at different dates.
I told her that my father used to say, "here in America, we celebrate Easter twice a year". :-)
Thank you again Rita, for sharing a fond moment of our Faith and Traditions.
Sincerely,
Charles S. Cotsis
April 28, 2008 1:48 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 28, 2008 13:48
Xristos Anesti Rita and Tom Hanks;
I enjoyed your article very much. My parents came to the United States from Greece in the early 1900s as so many others have done. As I read your article, my thoughts went back to my growing up in the early 30s. Our nine children, grandchildren and great grandchildren carry on our Easter celebration of the ressurection as did our forefathers and mothers.
I paid a surprise visit my 1st and 2nd grade school teacher yesterday and brought her a variety of our Greek pastries that my wife, Joan and our daughter-in-law, Ericka made for the occasion.
That beautiful lady (97 years young) was like a 2nd mother to me while I attended her classes.
She was, in fact, surprised to see me! She still very alert and bright as she ever was. I told her she doesn't look a day over 90. :-) We chatted for awhile and talked about the good old days back in the thirties. She, an Irish Catholic, even remembers how we celebrated our Easters and how and why they're celebrated at different dates.
I told her that my father used to say, "here in America, we celebrate Easter twice a year". :-)
Thank you again Rita, for sharing a fond moment of our Faith and Traditions.
Sincerely,
Charles S. Cotsis
April 28, 2008 1:41 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 28, 2008 13:41
Xristos Anesti Rita and Tom Hanks;
I enjoyed your article very much. My parents came to the United States from Greece in the early 1900s as so many others have done. As I read your article, my thoughts went back to my growing up in the early 30s. Our nine children, grandchildren and great grandchildren carry on our Easter celebration of the ressurection as did our forefathers and mothers.
I paid a surprise visit my 1st and 2nd grade school teacher yesterday and brought her a variety of our Greek pastries that my wife, Joan and our daughter-in-law, Ericka made for the occasion.
That beautiful lady (97 years young) was like a 2nd mother to me while I attended her classes.
She was, in fact, surprised to see me! She still very alert and bright as she ever was. I told her she doesn't look a day over 90. :-) We chatted for awhile and talked about the good old days back in the thirties. She, an Irish Catholic, even remembers how we celebrated our Easters and how and why they're celebrated at different dates.
I told her that my father used to say, "here in America, we celebrate Easter twice a year". :-)
Thank you again Rita, for sharing a fond moment of our Faith and Traditions.
Sincerely,
Charles S. Cotsis
April 28, 2008 10:49 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 28, 2008 10:49
Great Article, however the Easter described is best titled "Orthodox Easter" whose many members in countries (Russa, Bulgaria, Syria, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, etc.) essentially follow the same practices. The way the article is written does well to describe her experiences with the Orthodox Easter as practiced by the Greeks, yet leaves the impression that there are no other Orthodox who celebrate Easter in similar fashion.
April 28, 2008 9:10 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 28, 2008 09:10
Dear Rita:
Many thanks for your beautiful explanation of the Eastern Orthodox rite of Easter. As a second generation Greek American I always find myself having to explain to my non-Greek friends about our differences. Your explanation was very succinct. The only mistake, as far as I could see, was that you called our service a "Mass" We call it a Liturgy, the term Mass is a Catholic one.
Thanks again. Christos Anesti.
April 28, 2008 7:46 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 28, 2008 07:46
God Bless You, Angela. Your post brought me to tears.
April 27, 2008 11:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 23:55
Dear Rita,
As a fellow Catholic, I cannot fathom how you have chosen to align your Greek Orthodox beliefs with the Demococratic Party. Thia is where you lose me. With the tenets of Catholicism, your beliefs, as a Democrat, are outside of Greek Orthodox or Roman Catholic beliefs. Spin your beliefs, as you may, but it is what it is.
April 27, 2008 11:46 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 23:46
I wonder if the authors of the NT were influenced by these solar events.
Nope - just by witnessing the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Sorry.
April 27, 2008 10:43 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 22:43
WARNING! THIS POST MY OFFEND YOU.
Around this time of the year,
because of the tilt of the Earth's axis, the sun reach its most northernmost point- summer solstice- and seem to stand still for few days, suggesting to pre-Christian cultures that the sun was dead; then as the sun reverse its motion in declination seems to move again, suggesting a resurection. The name solstice is derived from the latin: sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still).
Many cultures in preChristian times celebrated the solstices and equinoxes with elaborated festivals every years. I wonder if the authors of the NT were influenced by these solar events.
April 27, 2008 8:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 20:19
as a member of the anglican communion, i observe the Kalendar as given but it is quite plain, if you look out any window, Easter was declared far too soon this yr.Brilliantflowering shrubs all around us to remind us---somebody made a mistake. way too early this yr.
cheers, best wishes, God's peace.
April 27, 2008 5:33 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 17:33
Dan,
We do the 40 day fast. It is not too hard to do. Its not a question of piety - its a matter of self control. In today's world, that is one of our biggest downfalls: the total lack of self control and satiating our carnal natures.
I'm sorry, but when was self flagellation ever a part of the Orthodox tradition? Is that a sarcastic attempt to justify walking away from the teachings of the Holy Fathers?
The reason for my post was to illustrate how the Orthodox traditions set forth by the Holy Fathers have been neglected and set aside because it is to troublesome, difficult or otherwise a nuisance.
The communists realized that if they could weaken the Church with a calander schism, they would have more success with their vile agenda. The patriarch realized he could gain enormous power by playing along. They were right. The modern day treatment of the monks on Esphigmenou is a perfect example.
Now there are Orthodox who have no idea what their faith is really about since they have been so adroitly led astray by clergy who themselves have been confused.
Instead of communing with heretics, Bartholomew should be begging forgiveness.
It is the fault of the Bishops for allowing novelties and slack behaviour. It is the fault of the parishioners from not separating themselves - as they are directed - from Bishops who practice heresy.
The one thing the True Orthodox don't need is a puff job on Orthodoxy from hollywood.
April 27, 2008 4:33 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 16:33
Mr/Ms Anonymous,
Please read more carefully next time. Ms. Wilson said they fast and in addition hold off soda, but they did so this year. She didn't say they merely hold off the soda.
And I as the grandson and nephew of a priest and a most pious mother could never never do what my mother did and hold off milk and dairy for 40 days. I would die. But I did do it for 7 days.
Rita leaves one point out about taking communion at the service on Saturday night. You fast totally on Saturday leading up to the service. Yes, that's right. 18 hours without any food whatsoever. We drank water. But according to some people responding on this message board, apparently we were not doing it seriously enough. Maybe we should have flagellated ourselves too.
April 27, 2008 4:00 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 16:00
I can't believe the responses from some posters. In this article, Ms. Wilson is sharing a beautiful tradition with the world; attempting to give some of us who are not of this culture, religion, belief system an insight into the meaning of the rituals of the Greek Orthodox religion. I don't think Ms. Wilson is trying to explain the totality of the Orthodox Church in one article. Can any of you? Instead of appreciating the article for what it is, a sharing of traditions and rituals; some people instantly go for the petty negativity by pointing out the differences in religious beliefs, names, practices, etc. Wouldn't it be a better, more enriching experience for all readers if these "critics" share their traditions in a more positive manner? Here are the reactions I get reading Ms. Wilson's article and some bloggers responses: I smiled after the article because I learned something new; I'm filled with frustration and anger reading the critical bloggers because my take-way was that these are ignorant people.
By the way, I grew up in a staunch Catholic family and married into a Jewish family. Our two families have a difference of opinions in theology, but our major commonality is that we believe in God and we believe in treating people as humans. The two families respect and accept our differences and celebrate what we are able to teach one another.
Is this a naive view? Perhaps...but I would rather be naive than be angry and close-minded.
Thank you Ms. Wilson for teaching me something new.
April 27, 2008 2:52 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 14:52
Rita,
The fast is supposed to be for 40 days - not Holy Week. It is so sad that so many Greeks have forsaken their heritage beginning with the communist inspired adoption of the new calendar.
Giving up sodas? What happened to foregoing meat, dairy and oil? Too difficult? Why not just join a Catholic parish?
April 27, 2008 1:25 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 13:25
Wouldn't it be great if we all were to write with such light, joy and good humor about our religious traditions? Thanks.
April 27, 2008 1:01 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2008 13:01
Ritas explaination of the Greek Easter is exactly right!! Here in the middle of Africa, we have a Greek Orthodox Church called Agios Andreas, where as young children we congregated in awe as the Holy Week continued right up to Easter Saturday, and the Anastasi, In those days, there were so many Greek people that the church was filled to bursting, and we had to stand outside,all around the church, as soon as 12 o`clock midnight and the Xristos Anesti was heard, some of the congregation would let of fireworks, and the church bell would ring, unfortunately living in a multi nation country, the next door neighbour took exception to all this going on, and she called the police out!!Nowadays there are fewer Greeks here and the Church is usually 2/3ds full, but we still have this wondrous feeling, and at the end of it all, you have some lovely memories.
April 26, 2008 6:07 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 26, 2008 18:07
What a beautiful way to describe a tradition that we Greek Americans can all relate to. Thank you for relating it so well!
April 25, 2008 9:28 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 25, 2008 09:28
What a beautiful way to describe a tradition that we Greek Americans can all relate to. Thank you for relating it so well!
April 25, 2008 9:27 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 25, 2008 09:27
What a great synopsis. I will pass this on to some of my very special non Orhtodox friends.
CHIRSTOS ANESTI.
CHRIST IS RISEN.
ALITHOS ANESTI.
TRULY HE IS RISEN.
April 24, 2008 11:58 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 24, 2008 23:58
GREAT WRITING AND DESCRIPTION.!!
April 24, 2008 5:41 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 24, 2008 17:41
This was really beautiful.
It should be sent to the media and all news stations so that their can say it is the Greek Easter and not only Passover, that is all I have heard all week.Pasover this and Passover this. I did email to NBC and told them, but their must think I am crazy.
I believe that the media must recognize that there are Catholic Christians, the Jewish religion, and their are Greek Orthodox Christians in this world.
Kali Anastasi!
April 23, 2008 10:35 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 23, 2008 22:35
I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE PEOPLE WE ENJOY SEEING IN THE WORLD WE CALL TINSELTOWN KEEP THE FAITH OF GOD. THE ENTRY REGARDING THE LENTEN PERIOD, HOLY WEEK AND PASHA ARE ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND WONDERFUL FOR THOSE OF US WHO CELEBRATE THIS TIME OF YEAR AND YES IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME IN OUR CHURCH. HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT THE GREEK PEOPLE CELEBRATE THIS EASTER BUT THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO CELEBRATE THIS EASTER. I UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THEY ARE GROWING UP THEY REFER TO THIS AS "GREEK" EASTER. THIS IS "ORTHODOX" EASTER. IT IS CELEBRATED BY "ALL" ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS AND WE ALL CELEBRATE IT IN THE SAME WAY AND BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN ONLY HAVE EASTER AFTER THE PASSOVER. I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE NICE TO CLARIFY THIS STATEMENT AND LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT "ORTHODOX" EASTER IS CELEBRATED THIS WAY AND IT IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO "GREEKS". BY THE WAY I HAVE MANY GREEK FRIENDS AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE SO THIS IS NOT A SLAM TO ANYONE BY ANY MEANS. THANK YOU
April 23, 2008 8:22 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 23, 2008 08:22
A big thank you to Rita Wilson for writing this loving piece on Paska. However, she errs by referring to it as 'Greek Easter', when in fact it is Orthodox Easter (Paska). All of the Orthodox, whether they be Russian, Albanian, Antiochian, Japanese, Romanian, Ethiopian, Iritrean, etc., celebrate Paska in the same fashion and at the same time as the Greek Orthodox.
We are one church who shout Christ in Risen! Indeed He is Risen! in all the languages of the world!
April 22, 2008 4:20 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 22, 2008 16:20
Thank you Rita for such a wonderful article about the preparation for and celebration of Pascha! I live in NYC and attend the OCA Cathedral there. There is nothing like attending the services of Great Lent, the Presanctified Liturgies, everything leading up to this awesome Holy Week. The anticipation of Pascha, the beautiful music of the Church during these fasting days are among my favorites of the year. There is nothing like the priest and congregation of believers shouting Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! many times in so many different languages to proclaim this victory to the world. I can't imagine any other joy so great in this world when our Lord conquers death for us and I really feel that in the Orthodox celebrations. Wishing everyone and their families a blessed Pascha.
Jennifer
April 22, 2008 1:05 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 22, 2008 13:05
May God Bless you Rita with your precise and very passionate writing of the Orthodox Easter. It is my favourite time of the year because you sense the very depths of our faith and you truly feel His love for us. First is the fasting where you practically have to give up everything (you even have to watch the things that come out of your mouth), but somehow, even with this small sacrifice Jesus Christ finds a way to make things seem easier.
My little miracle. On the 4th May this year it will be 6 years that my sister (38 years old) passed away. She passed after a long battle with cancer (11 months). She was my angel. The miracle is that she passed on Holy Saturday at 9:25pm. Five minutes prior to her passing we were all sitting there in the hospital sought of waiting for her to go but we didn't know that it was going to be that day. I heard this voice saying "Get up and say the Xristos Anesti". I got up from where I was lying down and for some strange reason I didn't adhere to the voice straight away, again I heard it louder and more demanding the same words. I started shaking and crying. My family thought I was nuts "What's wrong with you?" they said. I said, "Quick, she's going, we have to chant". They didn't listen, so I got up, went to stand at her left side and started chanting without them. They realised then that they had no choice but to join me, so they did. What happened? We chanted the easter hymn once, twice and on the third? She stopped breathing. My beloved sister was gone.
The pain was unbearable for us but I'm sure that it was pure joy for my sister as she went to Heaven to spend the Resurrection with Our Lord. She also did all the necessary things to cleanse her soul, her confessions, her communions countless of times. I share my story with you as I do with everyone. People still love to hear it because it happened in our times. Miracles do happen, every minute of every day. Our Guardian Angel is waiting, right beside us and whispering at our conscience to do the right thing. When we hear this voice we shouldn't ignore it because it could save us from complete and utter disaster.
I thank God that we had such an awesome experience and wish all of the world "KALH ANASTASH".
April 18, 2008 6:06 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 18, 2008 18:06
May God Bless you Rita with your precise and very passionate writing of the Orthodox Easter. It is my favourite time of the year because you sense the very depths of our faith and you truly feel His love for us. First is the fasting where you practically have to give up everything (you even have to watch the things that come out of your mouth), but somehow, even with this small sacrifice Jesus Christ finds a way to make things seem easier.
My little miracle. On the 4th May this year it will be 6 years that my sister (38 years old) passed away. She passed after a long battle with cancer (11 months). She was my angel. The miracle is that she passed on Holy Saturday at 9:25pm. Five minutes prior to her passing we were all sitting there in the hospital sought of waiting for her to go but we didn't know that it was going to be that day. I heard this voice saying "Get up and say the Xristos Anesti". I got up from where I was lying down and for some strange reason I didn't adhere to the voice straight away, again I heard it louder and more demanding the same words. I started shaking and crying. My family thought I was nuts "What's wrong with you?" they said. I said, "Quick, she's going, we have to chant". They didn't listen, so I got up, went to stand at her left side and started chanting without them. They realised then that they had no choice but to join me, so they did. What happened? We chanted the easter hymn once, twice and on the third? She stopped breathing. My beloved sister was gone.
The pain was unbearable for us but I'm sure that it was pure joy for my sister as she went to Heaven to spend the Resurrection with Our Lord. She also did all the necessary things to cleanse her soul, her confessions, her communions countless of times. I share my story with you as I do with everyone. People still love to hear it because it happened in our times. Miracles do happen, every minute of every day. Our Guardian Angel is waiting, right beside us and whispering at our conscience to do the right thing. When we hear this voice we shouldn't ignore it because it could save us from complete and utter disaster.
I thank God that we had such an awesome experience and wish all of the world "KALH ANASTASH".
April 18, 2008 6:04 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 18, 2008 18:04
Interesting article. But being equally Orthodox as the Greeks, I get so tired of hearing everything Ortohdox referred to as GREEK Orthodox, which, in fact, comprises the smallest number of us Orthodox if we take into account the total number of all other Orthodox Christians: Albanian, Antiochian, Bulgarian, Rumanian, Russian, Ukranian and the autocephalous OCA, which includes many different ethnic Orthodox Christian groups. So why is it that the Greeks so ofte refer to themselves as "The Orthodox"? Or to Easter as "Greek Easter" or to "Great Lent" as Greek Lent? Get with it please! Let us get rid of the ethnicity and simply look at ourselves as "Orthodox Christians. Is there an essential difference among Orthodox Christians? Are we not as citizens of this country simply Americans with English as our national language? And are we not simply Orthodox Christians (and proud of it!)? Christos Voskres! Voistinu voskres. Or shouldn't I say: Christ is risen. Indeed He is risen.?
April 16, 2008 2:10 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 16, 2008 02:10
March 14, 2008
Being of Greek ancestery, I loved reading your posting of April 8, 2007 in the Washington Post on Greek Easter, clipped it out, and re-read it again this year.
It brought back many memories of when I was a child at Easter.
(I hope I am not too forward when I ask you if you and your husband, Tom Hanks (who I remember from when he lived in Cleveland...although he certainly doesn't know me)were married in the Greek Church?)
With Greek Easter coming up in April this year, I am a bit early, but I do wish you both, and your family, a very Happy, Blessed Easter.
Sincerely,
Christine Rackas
March 15, 2008 1:21 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 15, 2008 01:21
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