On Holy Saturday evening, the Resurrection Mass takes place, reaching its climax at midnight, with church bells pealing joyously and firework displays. All the boats in the harbour sound their horns and set off flares.
Previously, the Holy Light had been brought from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to Athens, from whence flames are sent all over Greece for the Midnight Mass.
The ceremony of lighting candles from the flame of the Holy Light, is the most significant moment of the year. People kiss and exchange wishes for the day, telling each other 'Christos Anesti!' which means 'Christ is risen!’; to which is the reply 'Alithos Anesti!' - 'He is truly risen!'
Then they carefully carry home their lighted candles with the Holy Light of the Resurrection. Before entering their houses they make a cross with the smoke of the candle on top of the door, then they light the oil candle before their icon stand and try to keep this light burning throughout the year.
Finally on Holy Saturday, the ceremonies come to a close as people begin to break their fasts, savouring specially prepared dishes such as ‘margeirista’ soup, made of lambs’ innards, and cracking their red eggs. Restaurants are full all over town, until the small hours of the morning.
What is left of the day is spent preparing for the big lamb feast on Easter Sunday afternoon.
The Christian symbolism of Easter was first underlined by Apostle Paul. When Christians began to celebrate Easter, they retained some of the features of the Jewish Passover, while at the same time, adding others. This can be seen from the paschal lamb and the red eggs.