When in Greece for Easter you are going to need to exchange Easter wishes like a Greek. Or did you think that Greeks would compromise with a simple Happy Easter. Well it’s a bit more complicated than that. How do you say Happy Easter in modern Greek?
Greek Easter wishes depend on whether you give them before or after the resurrection of Jesus Christ that is celebrated at midnight of Easter Sunday, the night of the Holy Saturday, το Μεγάλο Σάββατο.
The two most common wishes you will hear everyday before Easter Sunday are Καλό Πάσχα (Happy Easter) or Καλή Ανάσταση (Happy Resurrection). Καλή Ανάσταση might sound a bit weird when you translate it in English, but it is a deeply emotional wish that promises the resurrection of Jesus Christ and as a result hope in the fight of life against death. A hope that you can smell in the spring air of Greek Easter and the image of the countless blooming lilacs all around.
After the resurrection and on Easter Sunday and onwards the most common wish you hear is Χριστός Ανέστη (Hristos Anesti-Christ is risen). If somebody tells you that you should reply with Αληθώς Ανέστη (Alithos Anesti- Truly he is risen).
Of course don’t forget that Greeks are Greeks and they say Χρόνια Πολλά (Hronia Polla-,Many Happy Years) in every occasion. So, if all these wishes are hard to remember just say Χρόνια Πολλά and I am sure you will receive a lot of smiles and many well wishes in return.
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Καλό Ελληνικό Πάσχα! Happy Greek Easter!
Learn more wishes in Greek below:
Wishes in Greek for new babies
Wishes in Greek for graduations
