European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 04, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Families in Agios Constantinos roast lambs Over a fire. The greek orthodox easter Observance often Falls on a different Date than the Catholic and protestant Holiday. A a everyone is family Onby Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer Quot the Man  head of the table raised his Glass and  the guests. Quot my Friend is my heart and my heart is my  a a a a. 1 he other family members joined in the Toast smiles. Flashing across their faces after they  swigs it was a touching gesture and even More remarkable because it was directed at two visitors who Only hours before had been total strangers. Anyone who has travelled in Greece knows that  warmth and generosity Are endemic to the National character. At no time is this More apparent than at easter the joyous feast of the resurrection that is a combination National Holiday religious festival and family it Nion. Those who Are Lucky enough to celebrate Caster with a greek family will carry the experience with them. For a lifetime. A a for two americans stopping Over in the coastal town of Agios Constantinos this easter sunday had started a uneventfully. A stiff Northwest Breeze was blowing out of a powder Blue sky dotted with cumulus Clouds along the Shore the wind chopped the Harbor into whitecaps and. Rattled the leaves on the Sycamore Trees. Throughout the sleepy town Center and in the Olive Groves and Stony pastures outside town the Only creatures stirring seemed to be sheep in their pens and an occasional Goat or a Donkey. .1 a a. A a. A a a. A. A. A a but a few hours later the town had come awake. The Spring afternoon had turned so sleeve warm under a Brilliant Aegean Sun. Groups of people were gathered in vacant lots turning Lamb carcasses on spits Over charcoal files chatting amiably and drinking wine. They smiled and nodded to passers by As laughing children chased each other around the fire or hovered near the Savory meat. Intermittently the Sharp crack of Small firecrackers could be heard in nearby streets. A a. Near one half finished House four Young women danced in the Street shards of broken China crunched beneath their shoes As they held hands and swung in a Circle to the rhythms of recorded Balalaika music. Nearby eight lambs turned slowly Over a bed of glowing coals filling the air with the scent of Wood smoke and sizzling fat. A a a a a a a. A a a a a a a a a. A a Short muscular Man with a Broad Grin hailed in the a two foreigners strolling by Quot come on my  some hesitation he became More insistent. Quot come on . It was a rare Chance for outsiders to be a part not Only of a Holiday festival but an Outlook on life. For easter in Greece is much More than a religious ritual. It is a True