(Kiki's Corner by Kiki Angelos - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter like we did with family. Like I tell everyone, we live in this awesome country, so we celebrate both Easters.

This week we experience the orthodox Holy Week, and I will share with you some traditions.

We don’t just observe it … we live it.

We fast.

We pray.

We reflect.

We walk with Christ through his suffering, so we can truly feel his resurrection.

This week is not about routine … it’s about faith, sacrifice, renewal.

In silence, in prayer, in tradition, we prepare our hearts. This is not just a week. This is a holy week. And we prepare our hearts for the resurrection.

During Holy Week, we heard the most beautiful hymns. And it was filled with prayers and joy. Many say one of their favorite parts of orthodox Easter is walking with the Epitaphios around the church on Holy Friday evening. Others say receiving the holy light at midnight on Holy Saturday. For others, especially the children, breaking the fast with delicious food after church, and of course, the big Sunday feast with family and friends.

Orthodox Easter isn’t just one moment; it’s a whole journey. Every moment means something. Every tradition brings us closer to our faith, our families and each other. It’s hard to pick … every tradition plays a big part in my life and in my heart.

Tsougrisma – the old Greek egg-cracking tradition for orthodox Easter – is a huge hit and it takes place after the resurrection (at midnight Easter Saturday). Each person takes turns tapping another person’s egg. If your egg breaks, you’re out. If it doesn’t, you then tap the next person’s. The person left with an unbroken egg is the winner and will have good luck the rest of the year.

This traditional game has deep symbolism in the Easter celebration. The eggs represent the culmination of Holy Week. The eggshell symbolizes the tomb where Jesus was placed after his death.Unlike the pastel colors used for Easter eggs in western Christian traditions, the deep red color used by the Greek Orthodox congregation symbolizes the blood of Christ. Cracking the egg represents Christ’s resurrection, and the egg itself symbolizes eternal life.

In our family, our grandchildren love cracking eggs and they jump of joy when their egg is not broken, lol. A child brings back fond memories.

Greek Easter traditions are truly unique and special, filled with history and significance, that bring people together in joy and celebration

Another significant tradition that is very strong in Greece is blessing the house. During the church liturgy on Holy Saturday, the candles are lit with the holy light. Each person carefully carries the lit candle home in order to bless their home by drawing a cross with the holy light on the doorway.

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Most popular Greek Easter traditions:

1. Fasting. Weeks of fasting before Easter, no meat, focusing on faith and discipline.

2. Saying at midnight, “Chris is Risen.” Response: “Truly, he is Risen.”

3. Traditional Greek Easter bread and Greek cookies made at home with love.

4. Palm Sunday crosses. Palm leaves are blessed and made into crosses

5. The holy light …the flame is passed from candle to candle, symbolizing the resurrection.

6. Godparents and candles: Godparents give their godchildren a decorated candle for the Resurrection service.

7. Holy Week: Church services every day leading up to Easter, deeply spiritual.

8. Black Saturday (Holy Saturday). The church reflects in silence. Jesus Christ lies in the tomb. No mass is celebrated during the day. Christ descended to the dead. The Easter Vigil begins after sunset.

9. The midnight resurrection service

10. Easter Sunday feast with roast of lamb, followed with many traditional dishes and desserts.

Many Blessings to all!

Till next week

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Rice pudding

Rice pudding is another old-fashioned dessert that is so comforting and delicious. Here is a recipe with a mild and creamy vanilla flavor:

1 cup of water

1/2 cup uncooked, long grain rice

Dash salt

4 cups milk

2/3 cup sugar, divided

2 eggs

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a heavy saucepan, combine the water, rice and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Add milk and 1/3 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly thickened.

Whisk together the eggs and remaining sugar. Gradually stir 2 cups hot rice mixture into the egg

mixture, return all to pan, stirring constantly. Cook and stir over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes until

mixture reaches 160 degrees. Remove from the heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into a serving bowl or individual bowls, refrigerate for two hours or until chilled. Just before serving, sprinkle the cinnamon.

PS . I personally like my rice pudding warm

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Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

1 orange slice

1 maraschino cherry

1 1/2 ounces maraschino cherry juice

1 teaspoon bitters

1/4 to 1/3 cup ice cubes

1 1/2 ounces brandy

2 teaspoons of water

1 teaspoon orange juice

3 ounces lemon-lime soda

In a rocks glass, muddle the orange slice, cherry, cherry juice and bitters. Add ice. Pour in the brandy water, orange juice and soda, and enjoy. Ahhhh

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Apple Betty with almond cream

3 pounds tart apples, peeled and sliced

10 slices cinnamon-raisin bread, cubed

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/8 teaspoon salt

Whipped cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Place apples in an ungreased 4-5-quart slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine the bread, brown sugar, butter, extract, cinnamon, cardamom and salt. Spoon over apples. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or until apples are tender. In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add the sugar, lemon peel and extract, beat until soft peaks form. Serve with apple mixture.

Delicious!