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Easter in Tolo. The unique Holy Week ritual

Events


Organizer: Church Ag. Konstantinou & Elenis


Start Date: 24/04/2022

End Date: 24/04/2022



Easter in Tolo. The unique Holy Week ritual

One of the greatest celebrations of Christianity is Easter. In Tolo, all the faithful Christians follow the Holy Week ritual devoutly, giving themselves body and soul into the culmination of the Passion of Christ and finally rejoicing in His Resurrection, in a special and unique way.

On Maundy Thursday the Service of the Holy Passion is held; the preparations for the celebration of the Resurrection also start on that day. Housewives traditionally dye eggs with special red dyes, a custom that symbolises the rebirth of life and nature.

After Midnight women are gathered in the main church of St. Konstantinos, decorating the Epitaph, as the tradition wants the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ to be covered with flowers.

Good Friday is the sacred day of the culmination of the Passion of Christ with the Deposition from the cross and Christ’s burial. The Epitaph Mass takes place in the evening and then follows the circumambulation; people join the procession on its way through the main street, leading in the beach of Tolo, where fishermen await on their boats, lighting fumigrants and creating an eerie and unsual atmosphere.

On Easter Saturday before midnight, people gather in tha church of St. Konstantinos holding white candles, which they light with the «Holy Light». The Resurrection of Christ is celebrated at 12.00 sharp with drum beats and fireworks.

Then they all gather around the festively laid table, they crack red eggs and feast on the traditional «maghiritsa».

On Easter Sunday morning, as the 40-day period of fasting finally comes to an end, and lamb is prepared on the spit all over Tolo houses and restaurants. The ritual of the Holy Week closes later in the evening in an impressivestyle by burning an effigy of Judas on the sea

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