Greek Orthodox Easter vs English Easter Traditions: Food, Egg Hunts & Family Recipes

Easter is celebrated in many beautiful ways across the world, and living in the UK has allowed me to experience a completely different atmosphere from the one I grew up with. English Easter traditions are filled with chocolate eggs, pastel colours, family brunches, and the joyful Easter egg hunt. Children run through gardens and parks searching for hidden chocolate eggs, while families gather for a relaxed Sunday roast, often featuring lamb, hot cross buns, and seasonal desserts.

In contrast, Greek Orthodox Easter carries a deeper spiritual meaning and a stronger connection to tradition. Greek Easter celebrations begin during Holy Week and culminate in the midnight Resurrection service on Holy Saturday. At midnight, candles are lit, fireworks fill the sky, and families return home to break the fast with traditional Greek Easter food. The following day, Easter Sunday, is all about togetherness, slow roasting lamb, red eggs, music, and long tables filled with homemade dishes.

Food plays a central role in both English Easter traditions and Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations, but in very different ways. The English Easter table is often elegant and simple, while the Greek Easter table is generous, rustic, and full of symbolic dishes passed down through generations.

Growing up, Easter in our home always meant my mother preparing her famous Russian salad and her unforgettable beetroot salad. She made them every year, and they became a tradition as important as the red eggs and the lamb. Her Russian salad was creamy, comforting, and perfectly balanced, while her beetroot salad added colour and freshness to the table. These dishes still remind me of family, laughter, and the warmth of Easter gatherings.

My Mother's Favourite Easter Russian Salad

Ingredients:

- 3 potatoes, boiled and diced

- 2 carrots, boiled and diced

- 1 cup peas

- 3 boiled eggs, chopped

- 4 pickles, diced

- ½ cup mayonnaise

- 1 tablespoon mustard

- Salt and pepper

- Optional: diced cooked chicken or ham

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes and carrots until tender, then let them cool.

2. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, and pickles.

3. In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.

4. Fold the dressing gently into the vegetables.

5. Chill for at least one hour before serving.

Traditional Beetroot Easter Salad

Ingredients:

- 4 cooked beetroots, sliced or cubed

- 2 cloves garlic, crushed

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 tablespoon vinegar

- Salt

- Optional: walnuts or feta cheese

Instructions:

1. Place cooked beetroot in a bowl.

2. Add garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and salt.

3. Mix gently and allow flavours to combine.

4. Top with walnuts or feta if desired.

5. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Whether it's an Easter egg hunt in an English garden or lamb roasting on a Greek Easter Sunday, the heart of Easter remains the same: family, tradition, and sharing food made with love. For me, Easter will always taste like my mother's Russian salad, her beetroot dish, and the joy of gathering around a table full of memories.

This year, I’m continuing the tradition in my own kitchen and cooking magiritsa for Greek Orthodox Easter for the first time. Wish me good luck — and Happy Easter wherever you are celebrating!