The role of Greek godparents at Orthodox Easter

·

Are you a first time nouna or nouno (godparent) curious about your duties this Orthodox Easter? Don’t worry, The Greek Herald’s got you covered.

In the Orthodox faith, being a godparent comes with the responsibility of ensuring the godchild receives a spiritual upbringing, and ensuring a life-long bond of love, trust, and guidance through religion. The role of a godparent extends beyond a christening and continues right through the godchild’s life.

Lambathes: Photo: Anastasias Kouzina

At Easter time, one of the traditions godparents follow include granting their godchild with a ‘lambatha’ – a special decorated candle made for Easter. They are often decorated with ribbons, icons, jewels, and small toys.

Lambathes. Photo: Dahlia Weddings and Baptisms

The lambathes hold cultural and religious significance and are handed to godchildren as a gift from their godparents, to allow them to receive the light of God at Easter. This takes place at Anastasi (Midnight Mass) on Holy Saturday, where the holy flame is passed through the church as the clock strikes 12.

Although lambathes are often gifted from godparents at young ages, people of all ages are seen holding them on Holy Saturday. They can be purchased across multiple websites, local Greek businesses and at your local Greek Orthodox Church.

After the church service, it is customary that once the flame is brought home with the lambatha, a cross is marked on top of the front door frame of the home, therefore allowing the light of God to bless the home for the year.

Lambathes: Photo: Anastasia Monastery

As well as giving godchildren lambathes, another Easter tradition includes the godparents providing the gift of a new Easter outfit or new shoes to the child. This outfit is gifted to be worn during Holy week for Easter. Most godparents continue bearing gifts up until the child turns 12 years old.

Other gifts that are given to godchildren for Easter include shoes, money, a tsoureki or even a chocolate Easter egg or bunny.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Farewell to Pavlos Samios: an artist and a gentleman

Samios passed way on 4 February 2021 at the age of 72. His loss is profound and almost unbearable such was the depth and aura of his prodigious artistic output.

A day of culture, community, food and football at Victoria’s Dimitria Festival

The annual Dimitria Festival, a celebration of Greek culture and heritage, reached its grand finale at Olympic Park in Heidelberg, Victoria.

Ukrainian refugees in Greece top 20,000 as Russia launches new eastern offensive

More than 20,094 Ukrainian refugees, of which 5,754 are children, have arrived in Greece since the start of Russia's invasion on February 24.