{"id":3041,"date":"2025-02-01T07:57:05","date_gmt":"2025-02-01T07:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/01\/countdown-to-greek-orthodox-easter-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-02-01T07:57:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-01T07:57:05","slug":"countdown-to-greek-orthodox-easter-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/01\/countdown-to-greek-orthodox-easter-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Countdown To Greek Orthodox Easter 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The countdown to the Greek Orthodox Easter, or Pascha, the most important religious feast of the year, is set to begin on March 3, 2025, when Greece celebrates \u201cKathara Deftera,\u201d or \u201cClean Monday.\u201d<\/h3>\n

This date marks the start of the period called Sarakosti, signifying 40 days of Great Lent, leading up to the Greek Orthodox Easter on April 20. Interestingly, this year the Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on the same day as the Catholic Easter, and the two churches are in talks to make this a permanent arrangement going forward.<\/p>\n

Dates in the Countdown to Greek Orthodox Easter 2025:<\/h2>\n

March 3 \u2013 Clean Monday
This day puts an end to the riotous Carnival celebrations, inviting Orthodox Christians to leave behind any sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods consumed during the previous three weeks.<\/p>\n

March 3 \u2013 April 19 \u2013 Sarakosti
Sarakosti is considered one of the most important annual feasts in Greece, marking the 40 days of Great Lent for the Greek Orthodox Church. During this period, people refrain from eating meat, dairy or fish, but are allowed to eat seafood. The purpose is to prepare the faithful to commemorate and enter into the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus.<\/p>\n

March 14 \u2013 April 11 \u2013 Salutation Services
The Greek Orthodox Church marks the countdown to Easter with the solemn Service of the Salutations, where the Akathist Hymn, a profound devotional poem dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is sung in parts over the course of five Fridays.<\/p>\n

April 12-13 \u2013 Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday
These two days are major feasts in the church, celebrating the raising of Lazarus from the dead and Christ\u2019s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, respectively.<\/p>\n

April 13-19 \u2013 Holy Week
Also known as Passion Week, this period features extensive liturgies recounting the Passion of Christ, leading up to His death and descent into Hades.<\/p>\n

April 20 \u2013 Greek Orthodox Easter
Greek Orthodox Easter 2025 will be celebrated on April 20. It is the most significant celebration of the Eastern Christian churches, where Greeks honor Jesus Christ\u2019s death on the cross and celebrate the miracle of His Resurrection.<\/p>\n

Talks for Shared Orthodox-Catholic Easter Date
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has backed the proposal for the permanent establishment of the celebration of Easter by the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches on the same day, starting this year when the dates happen to coincide. He expressed optimism that other Protestant denominations would also adopt such an agreement.<\/p>\n