Καλο Πασχα - Happy Easter

Written by Rosy

Photo by David T on Unsplash

Over 260 million orthodox christians are celebrating Easter, the so called “pascha” or resurrection sunday.  In Greece this is the most important religious feast of the year and in 2020 celebrations take place 2 weeks around Sunday, the 19th of April. Although in this special times during a global lock down easter might look a little different this year, it also highlights the rebirth of a new era even more.

Winter is over and many people almost managed 40 days of lent. In our last blogpost about fasting, we elaborated on why, what and how people are fasting. Did you ? Well, no matter if it was meat, alcohol, sugar, wheat or sweets that you skipped for a few weeks, the period of deprivation already had an end for you if you celebrated easter last week or it will come to an end on sunday this week.

From fasting to rebirth 

This year the feast started on the so called, big monday, 13th of April, where the last dinner with Jesus christs apostles took place. At this time schools and universities usually close for two weeks and families and friends take their time to celebrate. Due to the orthodox bible on the following Wednesday Jesus Christ was hanged on the cross and on Thursday he died. On this day you typically hear sorrowful bell chimes all over Greece. They are calling to the Greek Easter Epitaph. Inside every church you will find a beautifully decorated bier, that people can access throughout the whole friday. Believers of the orthodox community come to visit the Easter Epitaph and kiss the icon of Jesus Christ that is often wrapped in linen. This is followed by procession in the evening when the decorated coffin is carried around through the villages accompanied by prayers of a priest and the religious community.

On Saturday everyone is preparing for the holy midnight mess. Whoever is able joins the religious traditions and carries a so called labatah, a candle that is especially crafted for this important day, to the church. At midnight all candles are extinguished and when the priest speaks the “Christos Anesti" - christ is risen - he passes on the flame and soon all candles are litten again. This symbolises the rebirth of Jesus christ.

Usually, Easter Monday is a day to relax after all the celebrations and things are being taken slowly - σιγά σιγά - as the greeks say.

Typical food around Easter 

Food around Easter in Greece does not differ much from other European countries on one hand when thinking about typical dishes like lamb or easter eggs on the other hand there are dishes you might not have heard of before.

On the so called Holy or Great Thursday orthodox christians dye eggs red. This has been a symbol for the blood of Jesus and renewal of life. Additionally, people often bake Tsoureki - a sweet easter bread - that encloses the red dyed eggs. 

On Saturday the so called traditional Magiritsa soup is made from the lambs intestines, that is traditionally served with red wine. The so called Kokoretsi is another typical dish that is served around easter. It consists of lamb or goat intestines wrapped around an offal.

After the procession that starts saturday late evening and ends with the Christos Anesti shortly after midnight on Sunday, it is time to celebrate the end of the fasting period and enjoy the prepared meals to the fullest. Family´s come together to celebrate the rebirth of Jesus Christ. Also the red easter eggs that were prepared earlier are served now. 

Special easter traditions on greek islands 

There are some traditions in specific areas in Greece that go beyond a quiet celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

Every year people at Chios island, also known as the island where the famous raisin Mastiha grows, have a special way of celebrating. They craft the so called easter rockets by themselves at home in order to welcome the new period of the year by having an enormous firework all over the island. Sounds dangerous ? Yes, it definitely is. It is not a coincidence that one or the other person misses a finger or two ;).

In Korfu people follow the special tradition of throwing heavy pots filled with water from their balcony. You ask yourself now - why on earth would you do that ? Well, smashing the pots symbolises the earthquake that was followed by Christs resurrection. Thousands of people follow this special tradition, that happens all around the island. 

Whether you already celebrated Easter, you never do or the feast of resurrection happens in the next few days for you, we wish you beautiful days. Stay healthy ! 

Fasting - why, what and how ?

Written by Rosy

What is the reason people are fasting ? To feel healthier, to be closer to god, to lose weight or is it simplifying one's life? Orthodox fast, muslims, jews and christians do, there is intermittent fasting, 16/8 diet or the whole30 program. People remove meat, eggs, diary, fish, wheat, sugar, alcohol, leave out meals or nourish themselves liquidly. So why ? To remove toxins from body and mind. There are thousands of methods how to fast, but there is only one goal: purification.

March is a typical month to detoxify and get ready for spring. Now is the time to remove toxins that accumulated during winter time. Heavy meals, sugary drinks, coffee, alcohol & sweets that we consumed over the christmas season. Remember all the Souvlakis that made your stomach full, the coffee that made you awake in the morning, the glass of red wine you enjoyed with dinner or the delicious melomakarona you ate ? Now, imagine all the unhealthy things that you ate during the last 5 months of wintertime in one room. Have a look at them, smile, close the door and leave. Leave it all behind and start your fasting for a great start to spring. 

Where to start with ? There are so many options. The best way is to simply ask your body. Without consulting a doctor, a nutritionist or a diet specialist everyone knows what feels right. Start with little changes - baby steps. Leave out the coffee, reduce your meat consumption, stay away from alcohol or quit industrial sugar. Be curious ! It is an experiment. Observe your body while you leave out or reduce things that feel harmful. Transitions to new habits are never easy, so you might have withdrawal symptoms in the first days or weeks, simultaneously this is a sign that something in your body is moving and it starts to clean itself. 

We at Rosy´s little village always take care of people who have special requirements like vegans, vegetarians, lactose and gluten intolerant guests. We love to cook with organic vegetables, rich oils and tasty spices. Our cook Eri prepares healthy and delicious meals for you daily. Here is a recipe for one of his favorite vegan slow food meals. A nutritious dish for the whole family.

Green bean stew for 5 people

* 50 ml olive oil
* 2 fresh onions
* 1 garlic
* 1 potatoes
* 2 tomatoes
* 0,5 kg of green beans
* a bunch of dill
* Kripë pepper
* salt

1. Cut the onions and garlic into small bits and chop the potatoes into dice size pieces.
2. To make a tomato sauce, simply cut the tomatoes into small pieces and blend them.
2. Heat a pan, add olive oil, onions, garlic, potatoes and fry the veggies for a bit. Deglaze with tomato juice and 1 glass of water.
3. Let it cook for a while and then add the beans and cook it for 40 - 50 min on low heat.
4. Refine the recipe with salt, pepper and dill.
5. Enjoy your delicious green bean stew and surprise your family with a vegan and healthy dish.

Celebrating love around the globe

Written by Rosy

Image by Photo Mix from Pixabay

It is the 14th of February 2020 - the feast of Saint Valentine, a day of showing affection, celebrated around the globe by all those who feel love  - for themselves and for each other. This day of love originated in Rome 269 AD, when it was forbidden to marry for young men to make them better soldiers, so emperor Claudius II thought. When it was discovered that priest Saint Valentine secretly married couples, he was sentenced to death on 14th of february. On the same day he became a Saint in the city of love, Rome. Did you ever realise that Roma read backwards says Amor ?

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Explore Athens during wintertime

Written by Rosy

Image by Nimrod Oren from Pixabay

Have you ever thought of travelling to Greece during winter time ? What about exploring seasonal fruits, herbs & spices at the Varvakios market in Athens city center, an excursion to Stavros Niarchos cultural center and a refreshing winter swim. Enjoy a weekend program for all senses.

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About Flo. The Happy Inky

Written by Rosy

After spending 25 years working as a graphic designer. One day, in 2016, I woke up and decided to follow the whisperings of my inky soul. I wanted to be a full time illustrator and illustrate wonderful, magical books for children. This has taken me on a long winding road to find my own working (style) which continues to develop. I self published my first picture book in 2017.

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The Bathers

Written by Rosy

Bathers at Asnieres, 1884, by George Seurat (1859-1891)

Dylan Perring, our young and talented guest is an eleven year old boy who's school was entered into a competition set by the National Gallery, London, in which pupils were given the challenge to re create the well known painting titled "Bathers at Asnieres, 1884" by George Seurat (1859-1891). The medium was up to the individual, some students used paints, collages, printing and photography. All students submitted their pieces and Dylan's was judged to be the winner. Dylan's picture was briefly hung in the portrait gallery alongside the other fortune few.

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Pepper Mushroom Pie

Written by Rosy

Angistri (or Agistri) Island is dwarfed by its fellow Saronic Islands, yet it's possible to visit bustling Athens and return there the same day by high-speed ferry. Here we found a romantic hideaway, Rosy's Little Village, built in the traditional Greek style - and where would romance be without romantic dinners? Make this pie for the one you love. He or she is guaranteed to know how you feel.

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The lively neighbour island Aegina

Written by Rosy

The  lively neighbour island Aegina is reached in 10 minutes by our local owned boat "The Agistri Express".
Greek ambience, shopping Paradise, and cultural highlights will capture you.

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Saronic islands

Written by Rosy

Islands: Aegina, Angistri, Hydra, Poros, Spetses
Cuisine: Seafood, pine nuts, pistachios, almonds, peppers
Noteworthy Beverage: Ouzo, wine
Cultural influences: Turkish, Italian
Famous Historical Figures: Laskarina Bouboulina, the world's only female admiral and hero of the Greek revolution
Notable Feature: No cars allowed on the islands of Hydra and Spetses

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