Easter Traditions in Nafplio!

The custom

Red eggs or in Greek “kokkina avga” are a symbol of the Greek Easter season and an important part of Greek Easter celebrations. Every year Holy Thursday is the day that Greeks dye the eggs red, a color that represents Jesus Christ’s blood. Eggs themselves represent Jesus Christ’s sealed Tomb from which he arose after his Crucifixion and they are also a symbol of fertility and eternal life. The tradition of cracking the Greek Easter Eggs after Christ has risen, symbolizes the resurrection from the dead to new life, just like a chicken cracks the shell and comes to life. The custom is called “tsougkrisma” and it takes place after the Resurrection (on Easter Saturday midnight). It is a game that involves two players and two eggs which the players choose from a basket of red eggs. One player holds his egg and the other player taps with the under end of his egg, the upper end of the other player’s egg. The goal is to crack the other player’s egg without breaking one’s own. The person who holds the egg to tap crack the other’s egg says: Christos Anesti – Christ is Risen. The player who successfully cracks the eggs of the other players is the ‘winner’ and is said to be granted luck for the rest of the year.

The recipe

There are several ways to dye eggs. All you need is some fresh eggs in room temperature, 1 package of red egg powder, warm water, vinegar and olive oil. For more naturally dyed eggs, you can use brown onion skins and vinegar instead of powder, which will turn the eggs as red as the amount of onion skins used.

The experience

If you would like to experience enchanting customs during the holy week of Easter in Greece, make sure you visit Nafplio and stay at one of our Country Houses. Enjoy your stay in nature next to our our farm where you can pick your own fresh eggs from our chickens! Make sure you book a gastronomical experience and learn all the secrets and traditions for a full Greek Easter experience.

Happy Easter!!