April

Anniversary of Cyprus’ Independence Struggle - April 1st

April 1st marks the anniversary of the start of the liberation struggle of Greek Cypriots against
British colonial rule in 1955.

Procession of St Lazarus’ Icon - Larnaca

In memory of St. Lazarus, Patron Saint and first Bishop of Larnaca, the town’s people conduct a special mass, followed by a procession of the saint’s icon from St. Lazarus Church along the palm-lined sea front promenade.

Greek Orthodox Easter - Variable

Easter is the most important Greek - Orthodox religious feast. During Holy Week most people go to church both morning and evening. On the Thursday before Easter housewives bake their Easter breads, pastries and cheese pies known as 'flaounes.' 
On Thursday evening, a representation of Christ’s Crucifixion takes place in Church, where icons are draped in black.
Good Friday is a day of sorrow. Young girls and women from every parish decorate the sepulchre with flowers. The sepulchre is carried in procession around the parish during evening Mass. Each parish competes for the best decorated sepulchre and the most beautiful procession.

On Saturday during morning Mass, as the Priest announces Jesus’ resurrection, the black drapes drop from the icons and the members of the congregation rattle their seats to express their thanksgiving. At midnight people dressed in their Easter best gather at Church to listen to the Mass of the Good Word.  Behind the Church, the village youngsters make a bonfire on which is burnt an effigy of Judas. After Mass people embrace and leave for home holding a lighted candle. At home they eat the traditional avgolemono soup (an egg and lemon rice soup). The main meals of Easter Sunday and Monday are spit-roasted lamb (souvla) and lamb cooked in traditional clay ovens.

Celebrations for Easter continue all day long on Easter Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with games in the church-yard or village square and much ringing of the church bell.