Greek Easter is full of drama
We celebrated Greek Easter on the 27th of April. We mainly eat lots of food somewhere in the country and crack eggs which are mostly red. They symbolize Christ’s blood (I think). Read more about Greek Easter food and the food I found in Nafpaktos here. For new readers there are other Easter posts (from previous years) here.
We stopped at Delphi first. Did you know it’s the centre of the earth? And the Universe? That’s what the ancient world believed. This is the theatre. It’s an amazing place. Truly sacred.
This is the Treasury of the Athenians in Delphi. It was built after 490 B.C. with spoils form the Battle of Marathon.
We spent Easter in Nafpaktos, a beautiful seaside town about 3 hours away from Athens. However, door knobs are scary in Nafpaktos. Maybe they don’t like visitors?
Monastiraki, a small fishing village near Nafpaktos
Nafpaktos, the harbour
The statue of Miguel de Cervantes at the harbour. Cervantes was wounded in the naval Battle of Nafpaktos, serving in the Spanish infantry, on Oct 7 , 1571.
The castle
Castle gate, one of many
Good Friday -a usually solemn affair- in Nafpaktos is even bigger than Easter day. They celebrate with fireworks, they light the sea wall and they hang a cross above the sea which is later set alight..
Easter Mass in Nafpaktos. On Saturday night, the service begins in darkness until midnight. Then, the priest lights a candle from the eternal flame, the light that never goes out, as I call it, which is spread to everyone. Then we all kiss each other. If you even find yourself in Greece during Easter, limit the kiss to people you actually know, although in some parts of the country, people simply kiss those who happen to be standing next to them.
More Delphi, Nafpaktos and Easter photos on my Flickr stream.
19 Comments Add your own
1.
Papa | April 29th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Kissing doesn’t sound so bad, but one time I was at a ceremony where the kissing was suppose to take place towards the middle, but the girl next to me slipped in her tongue. Don’t you hate it when that happens? ;P
2.
vesper de vil | April 29th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
you post excellent photos! i love the castle gate, and the last one with all the candles is my favourite. i love how all these points of light are glowing….
3.
devil mood | April 29th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I think I will have to spend some Easter in Greece in the future. I just love it
There’s so much to see over there.
And the Delphi Temple got me all excited. I think I’d cry if I were to stop at the place where they’ve written: “Know Thyself” and “Nothing in excess” (I think)
It’s so symbolic for me.
4.
scholiast | April 29th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I love the castle in Nafpaktos
And my dad (& his wife) have been celebrating Easter in Crete, sending me photos all the time, so it feels like I’ve been celebrating too now … And some day I’ll be there for real!
5.
Hattie | April 30th, 2008 at 3:48 am
So beautiful, especially the gate. I long to go there.
6.
Sarah | April 30th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Wow, I love the photos!!
Interesting about the red eggs; I just knew that red eggs are popular in China (at least historically) at the birth of a baby, esp. a boy.
7.
your buddy | April 30th, 2008 at 4:13 am
I love your photos - esp Cervantes.
kiss kiss!
8.
your buddy | April 30th, 2008 at 4:13 am
is this thing on?
9.
missalister | April 30th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Your country is as beautiful and rich a feast for the eyes as your food and customs! I had no idea the extent until I discovered your site and now regularly get to see your astounding photos. From a small spot in a corner of America I have to say this is a really great experience
10.
moondog | May 1st, 2008 at 8:00 am
when i hovered over the link to the past entry, i thought it was “my sister” instead of “easter” and i was like, “why would chloe post about her sister for easter?” followed closely by “whoa, a post about chloe’s sister? ”
anyway, is greek easter a deeply religious holiday? in america, it’s one of two days of the year that most churches count on seeing their members (besides christmas of course).
11.
Yoli | May 1st, 2008 at 3:54 pm
You have taken my breath away.
12.
david, in Big Bear Lake | May 2nd, 2008 at 4:48 am
so very beautiful!
13.
rositta | May 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I did eggs for my husband and he went to church both Friday and Saturday. Sunday of course the big lamb road and lots of Greek music. I love the photos of Delphi, it will be on my list of places to visit when we come to Greece this year….ciao
14.
zona | May 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 am
I’ve always wanted to go see the two churches shoot rockets at each other.
15.
Gina SC | May 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
may i please have copies of all of those to hang in my living room?? ahhhhhhhh….. i am meant to be there!
16.
Stephanie | May 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
What a beautiful Easter!
I had a sample of this when I went to my friend’s Easter party in London. Lots of yummy Greek food (mmmmm tzatziki!), traditional Greek music, Greek alcohol (never had ouzo before and, despite smelling of medicine, I quite liked it), red eggs to be cracked (got my butt and nose cracked by the host), traditional dancing and wonderful company. All in all, a fantastic afternoon.
17.
your buddy | May 5th, 2008 at 3:06 am
I know I left a comment here - how strange. I will say again how much I love your photos and especially I like the Cervantes picture.
18.
Jeanne | May 6th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I love all of your photographs and you.
I hope you are feeling better~
Love and hugs and kisses
Jeanne
X0X0
19.
Greg Mills | May 15th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Chloe!
A belated XB from your (formerly) Russian Orthodox pal in California. Beautiful photo. You’re good, lady.
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