April is the fourth month of the year and the second month of spring. Its name comes from the Latin verb aperio which means “to open”. Unlike other months, April is the only month whose name doesn’t derive from gods, emperors or numerical position but instead reflects the character of the season it embraces. It is a time of renewal and awakening, when nature comes to life, the weather improves and the flowers bloom. In Greek it is called Aprilios or simply Aprilis.

On April 1^st, it is customary to play pranks and tell lies. Although April Fool’s Day originated from Europe, the tradition is still observed in Cyprus today. Even local newspapers publish fake articles. In the old times, people believed that telling lies on this day was good for silkworms, helping them form their cocoons.

There are numerous superstitions and beliefs associated with the first Thursday of April. In the past, especially in the villages of the Lemesos district, women were not allowed to hang clothes in the sun, nor to take any iron object out of the house, nor for a woman to take a needle to sew, as it was believed that this would bring hailstorms and destroy the crops. Additionally, they believed that sourdough made with rainwater collected on the first day of April, it would last a year without needing to be refreshed.

Our agricultural heritage and the importance of April’s rainfall have given us many proverbs and folk verses. The proverb “If March is windy and April is rainy, May will be happy” (Cyp. Martis fysaeris, tz’ Aprilis vrocharis, kamnoun Mai gelaston) suggests that a combination of breezy weather in March and light rain in April leads to a successful harvest in May.

April is typically the main month for celebrating Easter, although sometimes Orthodox Easter can be celebrated as late as May 8th. Easter in Cyprus is rich with customs still celebrated today, beginning with the Sabbath of Lazarus and continuing through to Easter Monday. These customs include the reenactment of Saint Lazarus resurrection, bringing olive branches to church on Palm Sunday, decorating and processing the Epitaph, preparing Easter pastries (Flaounes), dyeing eggs red, attending the midnight mass on Holy Saturday to hear the “Kalos Logos” (the Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection), participating in Easter games on Easter Sunday and Monday and many more.

April is filled with name days, including Saint Antypa’s Day on the 11^th (he is considered the patron saint of children’s toothache), Saint Lazarus’ Day and Saint Thomas Day (the 1^st Sunday after Easter Sunday) are moveable feasts and Saint George’s Day on the 23^rd.  On Easter Day, do not forget to wish “Hronia Polla” to your friends called Anastasis, Lampros, Paschalis as they have their name day as well.