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axariotisxy

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As Easter is approaching I wanted to ask how everyone's Easter was last year. I know this year has been filled with a lot of grief and pain, and I really want to give my family a great Easter in 2021. How was yours last year? How did you find ways to have fun even in the midst of a pandemic?
 
In 2020 for Greek Easter we kept it very small! (normally a large family event).

Still not sure for this year, but since it is on May2nd, warmer weather and more people getting vaccinated, hopefully can still be fun this year too!

Here is a photo from a few years ago of the lamb that we roasted on a spit in our yard:
Why-Do-We-Roast-Lamb-at-Easter.jpeg
 
As Easter is approaching I wanted to ask how everyone's Easter was last year. I know this year has been filled with a lot of grief and pain, and I really want to give my family a great Easter in 2021. How was yours last year? How did you find ways to have fun even in the midst of a pandemic?
Oh my...in thinking back on it, it certainly didn't feel right. We weren't able to go to church, church was closed. We had no big family gathering... We certainly have become more technologically adept, meeting on Zoom.
 
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Easter last year didn't feel like Easter, not just because of the lamb.....which was missed for sure, but because we weren't able to go to church. Luckily. my uncle is a psalti and was able to 'deliver' the holy light to us to bless our homes.
This year it still wont' be the same but at least participating in church and seeing some family outdoors will make it feel more like Easter!
 
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3 words. Drive-Thru Lamb Pickup! Since we couldn't safely gather, my father and I roasted the lamb on a spit and invited our family and friends to drive by for a plate. If they came early they got a piece cut right off the spit served to them on a plastic fork :) It wasn't the same but it made it all a little more fun. This year we are hoping to be able to have a some immediate family over to stay!
 
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3 words. Drive-Thru Lamb Pickup! Since we couldn't safely gather, my father and I roasted the lamb on a spit and invited our family and friends to drive by for a plate. If they came early they got a piece cut right off the spit served to them on a plastic fork :) It wasn't the same but it made it all a little more fun. This year we are hoping to be able to have a some immediate family over to stay!
THAT'S GENIUS!! I'm sending this to my whole family rn lol
 
As Easter is approaching I wanted to ask how everyone's Easter was last year. I know this year has been filled with a lot of grief and pain, and I really want to give my family a great Easter in 2021. How was yours last year? How did you find ways to have fun even in the midst of a pandemic?
Our Easter last year was certainly atypical. My husband and I just made some grilled lamb chops and spent it by ourselves! This year, all vaccinated, we plan to have a total of 12 of us for Easter!
 
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In Sydney we were in lockdown. No visitorsallowed. All churches were closed. We live streamed the Easter services from St George Rose Bay. No parishners allowed so Fr Gerasimo placed A4 sized icons in the pews - socially distanced of course.
My sister Colleen and I had Easter lunch with photos of our family around our dinner table.
This year, not in lockdown. Family and friends are joining us for a feast.
Patricia Paraskevi Zouvelekis
 

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In Sydney we were in lockdown. No visitorsallowed. All churches were closed. We live streamed the Easter services from St George Rose Bay. No parishners allowed so Fr Gerasimo placed A4 sized icons in the pews - socially distanced of course.
My sister Colleen and I had Easter lunch with photos of our family around our dinner table.
This year, not in lockdown. Family and friends are joining us for a feast.
Patricia Paraskevi Zouvelekis
I'm so happy that you and your family can spend Easter together this year! Congratulations and God bless.
 
In Sydney we were in lockdown. No visitorsallowed. All churches were closed. We live streamed the Easter services from St George Rose Bay. No parishners allowed so Fr Gerasimo placed A4 sized icons in the pews - socially distanced of course.
My sister Colleen and I had Easter lunch with photos of our family around our dinner table.
This year, not in lockdown. Family and friends are joining us for a feast.
Patricia Paraskevi Zouvelekis
What a beautiful family!! This is a great idea, I can really feel the love in this photo
 

How did your family spend summers in Greece?

I’m curious how many of you spent summers in Greece growing up.

My experience was a little different. My parents both worked full time, so we never packed up and spent entire summers in Greece the way some Greek families did. But I had friends and cousins who seemed to disappear every June and come back just before school started, full of stories about village life, island beaches, family gatherings, and adventures with cousins.

I always found those stories fascinating and sometimes wished I had experienced that myself.

For those of you who did spend summers in Greece, what was it like? Did you stay in a village, a city, or on an island? What did your typical days look like? Are there any traditions, memories, or experiences that still stand out to you today? I'd love to hear your stories!

What Does Philotimo Mean to You?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the word, or really, the concept, of philotimo. It’s one of those Greek words that just doesn’t translate neatly into English. I was recently trying to explain it to a non-Greek friend, and I realized how difficult it is to put into words!

I ended up talking about ideas like honor, dignity, courage, generosity, and doing the right thing because it’s simply the right thing to do. I even used some historical examples, including the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae and the spirit of Ochi Day, to try to explain the sense of duty and selflessness that I associate with philotimo.

But I know the concept can also show up in much smaller, everyday ways. How would you explain philotimo to someone unfamiliar with Greek culture? What does the word mean to you personally?

Does your family make fanouropita for Saint Phanourios Day?

I recently saw a news article about Saint Fanourios Day, and it showed people bringing fanouropita cakes to a church to be blessed. I knew about fanouropita and the tradition of making it when you’re hoping to find something that has been lost, but I didn’t realize how much of a church tradition it could be on the saint’s feast day itself.

Does your family make fanouropita for Saint Fanourios Day? If so, do you bring the cake to church to be blessed, or do you usually make it at home and share it with family and friends?

I’m also curious whether this is something that is still widely done in Greece or if it depends on the region, parish, or family. Are there any other traditions your family follows for Saint Fanourios Day?

I’d love to hear how people observe the day and whether fanouropita is part of your family’s tradition.

Greek Tsiknopempti Traditions?

I realized Tsiknopempti is coming up soon, and it made me curious how everyone celebrates it, especially outside of Greece. Growing up, I always associated it with grilled meat, lots of smoke in the air, and a general feeling of celebration before Lent started, but we never had a really structured tradition at home. Now I’m wondering if I should start one.

Do you usually grill at home, go out to a Greek restaurant, or gather with friends and family? Are there certain foods you always make, or is it more about the atmosphere and being together? I’ve seen photos from Greece where entire neighborhoods are grilling outside, which looks amazing.

I’d love to hear what Tsiknopempti looks like for you, whether it’s something big and festive or just a simple meal that still feels meaningful.

Anyone here struggle with outpatient rehab not being enough?

I’m curious if anyone else has been through this. I’ve been trying to get sober for a while now and started with a standard outpatient program because it seemed easier to balance with work and daily life. At first it felt okay, but after a couple weeks I noticed I was slipping back into old habits way faster than I expected.
It kinda feels like once the session is over, you’re just thrown back into the same environment with very little structure or support. I’m starting to wonder if outpatient is just too “light” for some people, especially if relapse has already happened before.
Has anyone here switched from regular outpatient to something more structured like IOP or medication-assisted treatment? Did it actually make a difference, or was it just more time in treatment with the same results?
Would really appreciate hearing real experiences — good or bad.
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