When I was a little girl the family would come to our house, and we would celebrate the holy resurrection of Christ.
My uncles would take turns hand rotating a lamb over a fire made from wood, and charcoals dug deep down into the garden bed.
It was the same spot they used every year as they sipped on ouzo, and talked about things in Greek the adults didnt want us to hear.
This tradition would start at the wee hours of morn, and by 8 or so two would be snoring in lawn chairs when my mom took their ouzo.
The youngest of the five would then take over with the slow rotation (he would only have one), and allow us kids to take turns doing so.
We would eat hard boiled eggs for breakfast died red in remembrance of the shed blood of Christ. We would knock end on end with another cousin to see which egg would crack. The "winner" was said to have good luck, if their egg survived. Then they would get to challenge another cousin with that same egg.
We didnt hide eggs, and would only get a few candy treats which we usually shared. Dishes from the island of Crete were arranged in a buffet style of dining which was prepared well in advance, and presented by noon. Outer layers of lamb would be slowly carved as it was ready to eat. When it was cooked all the way through, it was considered an honor and privilege to eat a bite of the brain. I still say YUCK.
We would have all attended midnight mass together the night before, and sing what the angel Gabriel said to Mary Magdalene when she found Christ's tomb was empty. We would all light candles one from another, which was started from the original flame inside the church. Its a beautiful tribute and remembrance to sing in classical Greek. Christos Anesti. I have fond memories and miss those now resting. The Eastern Orthodox Easter falls on May the second this year, according to the Gregorian calendar. So to me, its not Easter yet...
