24 April 2022

Holy week of easter on Crete

Orthodox Easter does not coincidence with Christian Easter but every so many years it does. This year ( 2022) we celebrated with the locals and we share with you our experience.

During this "Holy week" 

The Friday before easter they call it the "Great Friday", when Jesus was crucified. This day no labor can be performed and especially no works with tools. Church bells ring continuesly and people mourn representing the hurt of Jesus Christ. 

Easter eggs are colored in red representing the blood of Jesus. The tradition is that among friends the eggs are hit against each other, the one that remains unbroken at the end will get a full year of good health and fortune.

Tsoureki, a brioche-type of bread is prepared (only baked in the holy week).

Every where you will here, Chronia Pola (many more years), kali Anastasy (good resurrection), kala Pascha ( happy Easter). 

On Saturday before Easter, the preparations start for the feast, in the evening the Greek go to church in the evening. At midnight the priest announce "Christos Anesti", Christ is risen. After the church, people light their candles to celebrate the new light and head towards the bonfires.

Bonfires are lit everywhere and they burn Judas. Often you will here gunshots to celebrate but also to kill Judas. Artificial fireworks will appear on the corner of the street. These celebrations often continue until early in the morning while the gunshots continue.

On Sunday Easter, in the afternoon, all go out to eat. Sheep on the spit (Arni AntiKristo) or Kokoretsi ( intestines on the spit) are the mean dishes and you will see the sheep on the grill on the streets and outside the restaurants. We go for lunch in Parasia Taverna in Vamos, it is one of the very original Greek restaurants with great food and life musicians play Cretan music.