Christmas

Some days before Christmas, of the village Agios Theodoros Soleas start preparing for the big feast.

The preparations mainly include cleaning of the entire house and the yard, painting of the external and internal walls, dusting etc.

On Christmas day, people go to church. After the service they receive communion and then they exchange wishes and kisses. Thereafter, they return to their homes and the entire family sits on the table for the traditional soup “avgolemoni” (made with eggs, lemon and rice) or trachana (traditional soup), in a pleasant environment.

New Year’s Day
The housewives bake the “vasilopita” which is a large traditional cake with a coin in it. The person who finds it is considered the luckiest person of the new year.

On New Year’s Day People go to church to attend to the service and when it is finished they exchange kisses and wishes.

They also play cards (Shemes, Poka, Poker) in coffee shops and in different houses.

Lent Period
The Lent period begins on the Sunday of the Prodian Son and continues till the Sunday of “Tyrofagos” (last day of the Carnival). Usually, during this period, a lot of people masqueraded and went to friendly houses where they amused the owners.

Easter
Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, women took leaves from olive trees to the church. The leaves would remain in the church until Pentecost when they would be hallowed and taken back home for the traditional “kapnisma” (literally smoking). Specifically, the leaves from the olive tree were put in the “kapnistiri” (earthen-plated vessel) with cinder and used for the “kapnisma” of the houses and people. This practice is considered as apostrophic for the evil spirits and it survives to this day.

Holy Week

On Holy Thursday the villagers go to church to attend to the service of the 12 Gospels concerning the Passion of Christ, His Crucifixion and His death.

The same night, a replica of the holy cross with Christ on is set. On the right of the cross there is a replica of Apostle John and on the left another replica of Virgin Mary.

On Holy Friday young women chant the dirge (lamentation), while three myrrh-bearing women strew the epitaph with myrrh, aromas and flowers.

Some days before Easter the housewives bake rusks and the famous “flaounes”. On Holy Saturday they paint the eggs which they will clink after the Resurrection Ceremony.

Resurrection

Around 11 pm, the bells toll merrily in order to invite the Christians to the happiest service of the Christian church.

Outside of the church there is a big fire, called “Lampratzia” (eastern bonfire). At midnight the priest says “ defte lavete fos ek tou anesperou fotos” (come forward and receive light from the eternal light) and comes out of the church with the lay clerks for the Procession. People light their candles from the holy light and they all go in the yard of the church for the Resurrection Ceremony.

After the Resurrection Ceremony the inhabitants of the village receive communion and then they exchange wishes and kisses. Then, people return to their homes. They eat the traditional soup “avgolemoni” (made with eggs, lemon and rice) or trachana, flaounes and they clink the red eggs wishing each other “Christos Anesti” (The Christ has risen) “Alithos Anesti” (truly He is raised).

On Sunday, they make the traditional lamb on charcoals and they celebrate the day with traditional Cypriot dance and songs.

In the afternoon, the Community Council organizes some events (including traditional games) in the village’s plaza. The events continue until Easter Tuesday.

The following week is a week dedicated to relaxing, happiness and love among all the people.