The First Easter Meal after Midnight

The first traditional meal on Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday to break the seven weeks' fast will be eaten after the midnight Service of the Resurrection on Sunday, April 19th, 2009. It includes the traditional Mayiritsa soup (photo), Tsoureki (sweet yeast bread), and red eggs. For those of us who are doing most of the cooking for later in the day, we hope it's a quick meal!

The menu (with recipes) for breaking the fast is part and parcel of Greek Easter food traditions.

• Meal to Break the Fast at Greek Easter

Why is Orthodox Easter on a different date? About.com Guide to Christianity, Mary Fairchild, has the explanation. For more descriptions of the many different traditions observed by the Eastern Orthodox faiths, including Greek, Serbian, Russian, and more, don't miss her Customs, Traditions, and Foods of Orthodox Easter.

_{Photo ©2009 N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Free Newsletter:
Get the Greek Food Newsletter
Have a Recipe or Cooking Question?
Try our Message Boards.