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kcixcy

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hey everyone! My husband is Greek and we're going to be celebrating Greek Easter this year and I wanted to know if there are any trendy or cool ways to die a Greek Easter eggs. I want to add my own twist and get the kids involved too. Drop pics if you have them!!
 
We have always stayed with the tried and true Greek tradition of dying all of the Easter eggs red, although having some different colors for the kids can certainly be fun!

greek-easter-720x480.jpeg
 
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We have always stayed with the tried and true Greek tradition of dying all of the Easter eggs red, although having some different colors for the kids can certainly be fun!

View attachment 92
In our family, only red eggs, symbolic of the blood that Christ shed for us. I guess different colors could have been fun as long as the true symbolism was internalized. As for a trendy way to dye them? Red food coloring doesn't do the trick. I purchase some non-toxic dye from Sophia's Market in Lowell, MA. My mother actually used to use Ritz dye...thank God we didn't get poisoned!
 
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In our family, only red eggs, symbolic of the blood that Christ shed for us. I guess different colors could have been fun as long as the true symbolism was internalized. As for a trendy way to dye them? Red food coloring doesn't do the trick. I purchase some non-toxic dye from Sophia's Market in Lowell, MA. My mother actually used to use Ritz dye...thank God we didn't get poisoned!

I can't believe they used ritz dye!!! Remember we used to use food coloring, but the eggs would be pink LOL. The dye we get from the Greek store works really well.
 
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Mom, I can't believe they used ritz dye!!! Remember we used to use food coloring, but the eggs would be pink LOL. The due we get from the Greek store works really well.
Yup, I speak truth. That's what MY mother did. I never did.
 
In our family, only red eggs, symbolic of the blood that Christ shed for us. I guess different colors could have been fun as long as the true symbolism was internalized. As for a trendy way to dye them? Red food coloring doesn't do the trick. I purchase some non-toxic dye from Sophia's Market in Lowell, MA. My mother actually used to use Ritz dye...thank God we didn't get poisoned!
We have always stayed with the tried and true Greek tradition of dying all of the Easter eggs red, although having some different colors for the kids can certainly be fun!

View attachment 92
I tried the dye from the greek markets as well as the 'american' dyes but can't get it right. I heard that using onion skins or beet roots do a good job, trying to decide which to try this year. Anyone have a good/bad experience with either?
 
I tried the dye from the greek markets as well as the 'american' dyes but can't get it right. I heard that using onion skins or beet roots do a good job, trying to decide which to try this year. Anyone have a good/bad experience with either?
I've tried beet root before, the color wasn't as strong but I did like the fact that it was all natural so it was sort of worth it. Something about eating the eggs after they're soaked in chemical dyes doesn't sit right with me.
 
hey everyone! My husband is Greek and we're going to be celebrating Greek Easter this year and I wanted to know if there are any trendy or cool ways to die a Greek Easter eggs. I want to add my own twist and get the kids involved too. Drop pics if you have them!!
We use birthday candles (because they are thin) to draw on the eggs BEFORE you dye them. If you do that then the dye does not adhere to the egg and you can see the design in white after it's done! They look great!
 

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?

What are your favorite name day traditions?

I’ve always loved the tradition of celebrating name days. In my family, they’re just as meaningful as birthdays, and sometimes even more fun because they bring everyone together in a different way.

When a big name day comes around, especially one that several family members share, we often turn it into a full family gathering. For example, on a name day like Nick/Nikolas, where there might be multiple people celebrating, it becomes almost like a mini family holiday. Someone hosts, there’s plenty of food, and everyone comes by to wish the celebrants “chronia polla.”

I also like the simplicity of the tradition. Even if there isn’t a big gathering, people still call or send messages to acknowledge the day.

Do you celebrate name days in your family? And are there certain ones that turn into larger celebrations because several people share the name?

Why do Greeks celebrate name days?

I grew up with name days being a big deal, and I’ve always wondered why they feel more important than birthdays for so many of us. I know they’re tied to the Greek Orthodox Church feast days and the saints we’re named after, but it feels like there’s something deeper going on culturally.

In my family, name days were always open-house style, people calling, stopping by, bringing sweets, and it felt very communal. Birthdays, on the other hand, were more low-key.

Do you feel like name days still carry that same weight today? Or has it changed depending on the generation or where you live?

Information About Apokries?

I’ve been curious about how people experience Apokries and what it looks like in different parts of Greece. For some, it seems centered on big public celebrations and costumes, while for others it’s more about smaller gatherings, food, and local customs.

I’m especially interested in the traditions people grew up with. Was Apokries something your family actively celebrated, or did it feel more like a community event? Did you attend costume parties, parades, or specific local festivities? And how did days like Tsiknopempti fit into it for you?

I’d also love to hear whether your experience changed over time, for example, celebrating differently as a child versus as an adult, or noticing differences between village and city celebrations.

For those who no longer live in Greece, do you still mark Apokries in some way, or has it faded with distance?

I’m looking forward to hearing how this tradition shows up for others.

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!
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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