In Arachova, Easter preparations start immediately after the Carnival period. The inhabitants consider that after the Carnival period, there is nothing else to expect but Easter and pray that God helps them have a happy Easter period.

The preparations in Arachova start on Shrove Monday, the equivalent of Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lent. The locals must see about all the aspects of a traditional Easter feast, including the lamb, the spit, their Easter clothes, the fustanella, the woollen clothes of Saint George, the eggs and the confectionery.

These preparations are made twice, as Easter in Arachova and the feast of Saint George are celebrated with the same solemnity. Tradition requires that lambs be roasted on the spit and feasting be enjoyed twice. So, before dawn on Easter Sunday, the older of Arachova invite all the inhabitants to start the preparations for the pit cooking. They gather vine-branches, light the fire and poke it. Preventing the wood from being reduced to ashes is a task that needs skill and experience.

The location of Mavra Litharia offers a surprising view of Arachova at the time of pit cooking. You actually have the impression that this small country town is burning, as there are pits in every neighbourhood! More than 10 lambs are cooked over each pit! When the fire is ready, all people sit around the pit and sing the hymn “Christ is risen”. The eating and drinking spree culminates with dancing and singing. The women of Arachova treat their compatriots and mainly passers-by to lamb’s fry, local wine and red eggs. This happens as many times as the number of lambs in the pit, namely 10-30. Cooking lasts for about four hours and roasting time depends on the weight of the lamb. Nobody leaves the cooking ground, unless the older of Arachova – and the most expert on pit cooking – say that everything is over and the hymn “Christ is risen” is sung. They wish each other “Many Happy Returns of Easter”. The event always culminates with fire shots.

The traditional Easter menu of Arachova comprises lamb, eggs, yogurt, the “feta” and “formaela” cheese varieties, red wine and, of course, lettuce salads with fresh garlic. After the pit cooking process, tourists are welcome to the family lunch. Nevertheless, visitors can also taste the Easter dishes that the municipality of Arachova offers to them. Thundering cannons are roaring. The firing of cannons and the chiming bells mark the end of the eating spree and invite all the locals to participate in the carrying in procession of the icon of Saint George.

Source of information: http://arachova.tripod.com