by Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Greek Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter Sunday, one of the most significant holidays on their calendar without forgetting those in need.
As relatives and friends gathered around the family table to eat the traditional lamb roasted on spit and crack Easter eggs, wishing health and happiness, many municipalities and humanitarian organizations across the country laid out tables to offer a festive meal and some moments of joy to thousands of homeless and other people in need.
Retail markets representatives, shop owners and consumers said in Athens earlier this week that most households have cut back on their spending for the Easter meal this year as well due to the eight-year debt crisis, although economic indexes have improved lately.
Official Eurostat statistics in recent years have shown that one in three Greeks were at risk of poverty and social exclusion after years of harsh austerity, recession and record unemployment rates.
For those who were unable to buy even the minimum, municipalities, church charities and NGOs stepped in front and in cooperation with supermarket chains and other enterprises and private donors were serving the traditional Easter delicacies, providing a helping hand.
