Palm Sunday, the day when Christ entered Jerusalem and was triumphantly greeted by crowds holding palms, is celebrated in Greece and marks the countdown to Easter. On this day:

* Greeks traditionally eat fried codfish with garlic dip. During years when there is a shortage of fish, people believe that the devil is preventing the fishermen from making a good catch.

* Churches are decorated with palm crosses that people take home with them. In some regions, the palms are gathered and given to the church by newlyweds in the hope that this act could miraculously increase their fertility. Tbe Palm Sunday crosses are handed out to parishioners at the end of the church service.