How Easter is celebrated on the Greek islands: the strangest customs

Depending on the location, Easter is celebrated in different ways in Greece. The strangest customs that exist to this day, mainly on the islands, are noted.

We’ll tell you about some of them so that you can feel the “taste and atmosphere” of the holiday and learn something interesting.

Patmos
“Holy Island” (“Ιερό Νησί”) is directly related to the Christian religion. In particular, on Good Friday, housewives sprinkle their homes with “flower water.” On Easter Sunday, the Gospel is read in seven languages, including Homeric Greek. At the end of the liturgy, the abbot distributes red eggs to the believers.

Chios
One of the strangest Easter customs is the “rocket war” in Vrontados, which dates back to the Turkish occupation. The funny “rocket war” (literal translation from Greek) is a custom observed every Easter in Vrontado (Chios), during which, on the night of the Resurrection of Christ, thousands of homemade rockets are launched between two churches located in the area: Panagia Eritiani and Agios Markos Panagoussi. The parishioners of Panagia Ereitiani “aim” at the dome of the church of Agios Markos, and Agiomarkousi (parishioners of the Cathedral of Agios Markos) – at the clock on the bell tower of Panagia Ereitiani. Hundreds of homemade fireworks shoot into the sky from two local churches located on the hills four hundred meters apart. The parishes are considered to be historically rivals with each other, and every year they “find out” who won the “missile” battle. “Easter battles” take place every year on the night of the Resurrection of Christ.

Kythnos
On Holy Saturday, on the night of Resurrection, “συγχώριο” is distributed to believers. A portion of fried meat is considered “absolution of sins for the dead,” whose souls are thus “cleansed.” On Easter Monday, townspeople celebrate “Κούνια της Λαμπρής” (watch video).

Skiathos
Here on Good Friday the Epitaphic Mass is held, which begins at 01:00 am, and the procession begins at 04:00 am. The religious ceremony ends at 05:30 in the morning with the participation of many believers, despite the fact that it is already dawn. On Easter Monday and after the morning service, horse racing is usually held along Lake Agios Georgios.

Kerkyra (Corfu)

Every Easter, one of the most famous customs of our country takes place here, which is a combination of Venetian and Orthodox traditions. Residents of Corfu throw clay jugs from their balconies, having previously decorated them with red ribbons, as a sign of the Resurrection of Christ.

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