Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Ange Postecoglou responded in the most iconic way on Friday to a journalist’s Easter greeting.
During a press conference ahead of the Spurs’ Premier League match against Luton Town on Saturday afternoon, a journalist greeted Postecoglou with the words: ‘Happy Easter.’
In response, the proud Greek Australian coach said: “Thanks mate. I’m Greek Orthodox, mine’s in about a month’s time, but I appreciate it.”
This year, Orthodox Easter will be held on May 5 – more than a month after Catholic Easter on March 31.
This difference typically occurs as Orthodox Easter is calculated using the Julian Calendar not the Gregorian Calendar (which is used by Catholics). The Orthodox Church also still uses the rule set forth by the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in 325 AD, that says Pascha (Easter) must take place after the Jewish Passover.
Postecoglou’s reference to Greek Orthodoxy is not the first time he’s openly spoken about his Greek heritage and faith.
During an interview with The Greek Herald in November 2022, Postecoglou spoke proudly of his strong links to South Melbourne FC and said he was “lucky to grow up in Australia but in Greece I also feel at home.”