Table of Contents
More Important Than Christmas
Easter is Cyprus's most important festival. Good Friday: solemn procession. Saturday midnight: explosive (fireworks, bells, "Christos Anesti!"). Easter Sunday: family feast with lamb on spit. Unforgettable even for non-religious.
Easter Week
Good Friday: Epitaphios procession (flower-decorated bier through streets). Saturday midnight: THE moment – candles lit, "Christos Anesti!", fireworks, bells. Sunday: lamb on spit (Souvla) all day, whole family gathers. Monday: holiday, picnics.
The section on "More Important Than Christmas" was the most valuable for us. We couldn't find this information anywhere else before our move. It saved us a lot of time and hassle.
– Family from Cologne, in Nicosia since 2022
The Easter Meal
Souvla: whole lamb on spit, 4-6 hours over charcoal. Flaounes: cheese pastries (only at Easter). Red eggs: Tsougrisma game. Avgolemono soup after midnight mass.
What Expats Should Know
Date: Orthodox Easter often different from Western (check calendar!). Shops closed Fri-Mon. If neighbors invite you: absolutely accept (biggest honor). Midnight mass: attend even just to watch.
Easter in Cyprus
Topics: More Important Than Christmas, Easter Week, The Easter Meal
CMC Practical Tip
More Important Than Christmas Easter is Cyprus's most important festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always same as Western. Check "Orthodox Easter [year]". Plan 4 free days.
Wine, chocolate, or German Easter bread. Say "Christos Anesti!" on arrival.
Yes – spit and charcoal grill at Praktiker. Order lamb 2-3 days ahead. Season: salt only. 4-6 hours turning.
Fri-Mon: yes, nearly all. Stock up Thursday evening.
How CMC Supports You
At CMC Family Office Group, we are here for you – not only for tax and legal questions, but also for all practical topics of everyday life in Cyprus. Our team in Larnaca and Pafos knows the local conditions first-hand.
As your local contact, we handle: company formation and management, tax advisory and Non-Dom applications, ongoing bookkeeping and tax returns, support with authorities, and referrals to estate agents, lawyers, doctors and tradespeople.