Residents of Vrontados sent a statement to the municipal authorities and the head of the police department of Chios with a request not to hold “rocket wars” this year on Holy Saturday (as is traditionally accepted).
As you know, the famous “rocket wars” are arranged by the inhabitants of the Greek island of Chios every Easter. According to the tradition of the town of Vrodandos, during the festive service near two local churches, peculiar “fun battles” unfold. Every year during Easter, thousands of guests and foreign television crews come to the island to enjoy the impressive spectacle.
They notified the District Attorney of Chios and the Minister of Citizens’ Protection, describing the practice “as illegal and dangerous to their lives and property”, protesting the decision of the municipality to approve an amount of 23,391.51 euros for the protection and restoration of the parishes of the churches of Agios Markos and Panagia Eritiani, which last year, damage was caused by rocket launchers that exploded near buildings.
As residents say about the decision, “it openly finances illegal actions at the expense of citizens and taxpayers in general, while allowing for the inevitability of causing serious damage to the property of third parties that will need to be restored.” They also point out that the municipality, by its decision, becomes “an accomplice in criminal acts”.
As you know, the famous “rocket wars” are arranged by the inhabitants of the Greek island of Chios every Easter. According to the tradition of the town of Vrodandos, during the festive service near two local churches, peculiar “fun battles” unfold. Every year during Easter, thousands of guests and foreign television crews come to the island to enjoy the impressive spectacle.
Rocket salvos between the churches of Agiou Marko and Panagia Eritiani turn night into day. And only during the ringing of bells in the foreshadowing of the Resurrection of the Lord, rocket launches and artillery salvos are suspended.
Sometimes “unforeseen incidents” happen. For example, if a firework “opens” not at the intended height, but near a crowd of people, as a result of which you can get injured or burned. Every year during the “rocket wars” ambulances and police are on duty outside the churches.
The Easter custom of the “war of fireworks” (ρουκετοπόλεμος) is a custom observed every Easter in Vrontado (Fr. Chios), during which, on the night of Christ’s Resurrection, thousands of homemade rockets are fired between two churches in the area. Panagoussi (parishioners of Panagia Eritiani) aim at the dome of Agios Markos, and Agiomarcousi (parishioners of the Cathedral of Agios Markos) at the clock on the bell tower of Panagia Eritiani.
Hundreds of homemade fireworks soar into the sky from two local churches located on hills 400 meters apart. Parishes are considered to be historically rivals with each other, and every year they find out who won the “rocket” battle.
Preparations take place several months before teams of two parishes prepare an “explosive cocktail” and place it on makeshift rockets. On the night of Holy Saturday, rockets are placed on wooden bases, rocket launchers, in order to choose the right trajectory and reach their target. The night sky is filled with multi-colored flashes of thousands of flaming rockets, which create a spectacular holiday atmosphere.
The custom has its roots in the period of Ottoman rule, when the Vrontadus used small cannons with loud bangs to celebrate Easter, but the Turks, fearing that they could be used against them, banned them and replaced them with homemade ones.
On Easter Sunday, missiles that have found a target are counted and the winner is declared. The two “rival” parishes will meet again next year, maintaining a longstanding tradition.
Rocket salvos between the churches of Agiou Marko and Panagia Eritiani turn night into day. And only during the ringing of bells in the foreshadowing of the Resurrection of the Lord, rocket launches and artillery salvos are suspended.
Sometimes “unforeseen incidents” happen. For example, if a firework “opens” not at the intended height, but near a crowd of people, as a result of which you can get injured or burned. Every year during the “rocket wars” ambulances and police are on duty outside the churches.
The Easter custom of the “war of fireworks” (ρουκετοπόλεμος) is a custom observed every Easter in Vrontado (Fr. Chios), during which, on the night of Christ’s Resurrection, thousands of homemade rockets are fired between two churches in the area. Panagoussi (parishioners of Panagia Eritiani) aim at the dome of Agios Markos, and Agiomarcousi (parishioners of the Cathedral of Agios Markos) at the clock on the bell tower of Panagia Eritiani.
Hundreds of homemade fireworks soar into the sky from two local churches located on hills 400 meters apart. Parishes are considered to be historically rivals with each other, and every year they find out who won the “rocket” battle.
Preparations take place several months before teams of two parishes prepare an “explosive cocktail” and place it on makeshift rockets. On the night of Holy Saturday, rockets are placed on wooden bases, rocket launchers, in order to choose the right trajectory and reach their target. The night sky is filled with multi-colored flashes of thousands of flaming rockets, which create a spectacular holiday atmosphere.
The custom has its roots in the period of Ottoman rule, when the Vrontadus used small cannons with loud bangs to celebrate Easter, but the Turks, fearing that they could be used against them, banned them and replaced them with homemade ones.
On Easter Sunday, missiles that have found a target are counted and the winner is declared. The two “rival” parishes will meet again next year, maintaining a longstanding tradition.
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