There is no better place to celebrate Easter than Greece!
Corfu is the most famous Greek island for Orthodox Easter festivities. It is a deeply felt event that is much more cherished than Christmas Day, as emigrants return to their home country to celebrate it with the whole family. It almost never coincides to the Catholic Easter and this year it will take place on Sunday 28th April. Corfu will host beautiful celebrations in the Old Town, offering a unique experience to tourists and worshippers who decide to take part to this traditional ambience. The singular charm of the island, which has nothing to envy to other European cities, attracts thousands of guests during the magic Holy Week.
Why don’t you plan your visit to Corfu to celebrate Easter in a different and special manner? Book Villa Jewel, a beautiful property we rent on the island, and discover more about the fantastic Easter celebrations!
The reason why the date of the two Easter days do not correspond is linked to the decision that was taken in occasion of the Council of Nicaea in 325. The Orthodox Church decided to use the Julian calendar to determine its date, while the Catholics chose the Gregorian one.
The Holy week begins the day before Palm Sunday, called Lazarus Saturday (Savvato tou Lazarou), as the Gospel of John tells that Jesus made the raising of his friend Lazarus eight days before his Resurrection. In remembrance of the miracle, some choirs meet in the churche of Agios Nikolaus ton Geronton and walk in procession along the city streets, singing the so-called “Lazarus’ kalandas”.
Palm Sunday begins with “Agios Spyridon Litany”, a procession dedicated to the city’s patron Saint, followed by eighteen philharmonic orchestras. This event occurs every year since 1630, when the Saint freed the island from a terrible plague. Later in the day, citizens expose red curtains on their city windows and some concerts take place after sunset.
The city changes its look with the beginning of the week: purple lanterns are located on monuments and palaces as a sign of grief on Monday, while Tuesday is the day of the “Tropario of Kassiani”, a splendid Byzantine hymn sung in churches. Various concerts, musicals and other events liven up these days until the Holy Thursday, when families cook typical Easter dishes and the Twelve Gospels are read inside the Cathedral of Corfu.
The day after is the most intense, as cities host processions towards the sepulchres on the notes of the songs played by the Philharmonic Orchestras, while Saturday starts with the representation of the earthquake that accompanied the death of Jesus in Kyra Faneromeni Church. Later, they take part to the litany and procession to Agios Spyridon sepulchre.
This is also the day of one of the most singular and funniest Easter events: the “spasimo ton botidon”! According to an old Venetian tradition, people throw red terracotta vases from their terraces in the street as a sign of good luck. Another lucky custom is “Mastela”, the name of a wooden barrel placed in odos Nikiforou Theotoki street where passers-by can leave a coin.
Saturday night is an extraordinary moment: to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, the sky fills up with beautiful fireworks and a unique atmosphere of joys pervades the streets! The celebrations end on Easter Day, when Lent’s fast ends and families gather to eat the traditional tsilichourda together.
Do not miss the next Easter celebrations in Corfu! Choose your favourite villa among our selection of seaside properties in Corfu and plan your dream holiday!
© Alice Pilastri
