Corfu Easter is a unique experience!
And yes, we are at the midst of celebrations for the Greek Orthodox Easter and our island with its local customs is ready to welcome thousands of tourists as well as locals to offer an unforgettable experience, an Easter different from the rest. No wonder why the Corfiots also call it “Lambri”, which means brightness. This is what Easter in Corfu is, bright & colorful.
The celebrations for Easter begin on Palm Sunday, “Ton vajone” wie die Einheimischen ihn nennen
Maundry Thursday
The day when Greeks dye eggs red – the red color symbolizes the blood of Christ, while the egg symbolizes the empty rock tomb from which Jesus Christ arose after His Crucifixion.
In all churches, the twelve Gospels are read. At the same time at Duomo, the Cathedral of the Catholics of Saints James and Christopher, the Catholic Episcopacy, which is located next to the Corfu’s City Hall Square, the ceremony of the Washbasin takes place.
Good Friday
The processions of the Epitaphs start very early in the afternoon. The narrow but historical streets of Corfu’s old town filled with mournful marches played by the island’s philharmonic orchestras accompanied by groups of church choirs and children scout troops with baskets of flowers, all to add to the emotion of the event.
Until late at night dozens of epitaphs will emerge and all of them will finally cross the historic center one after the other.
Ηolly Saturday
At 06:00 am at the church of Virgin Mary of the Foreigners, takes place the custom of “the earthquake” represents the reconstruction of the earthquake that is mentioned to happened after the Resurrection described in the Gospel. Litany of Saint Spyridon and procession of the Epitaph of His Holy Temple.
At 11:00 in the morning, we have the First Resurrection. The bells ring joyfully and from the windows and balconies, thousands full of water clay pots are dropped on the streets.
This custom is connected with the Gospels but is also a Venetian influence, who used to throw from their windows old pots and old objects on New-year’s day, expecting new things to be brought by the new year Or, an even older custom that the break and all the deafening noise symbolizes the victory of life over death.
The celebrations continue the evening with the Reception of the Holy Light of the Holy Tomb. It takes place in Pentofanaro (Liston) in the presence of the local authorities.
The liturgy of Resurrection Sequence, from the temple of Agia Paraskevi, begins and at 23:40 it is transferred to the bandstand of the Upper Square for the Resurrection ceremony.
Easter Sunday
A really joyful day when families gather together to celebrate. After lunch, we have an “Egg –tapping game” called tsougrisma.
Everyone selects a hard-boiled egg from the basket. Players hold their eggs and hit their eggs against each other with the goal of cracking them, first bottom-to-bottom, then when bottoms are broken – top to top. When a player’s egg is cracked on both sides, he or she is eliminated. The winner is the player that remains with an unbroken side of their egg!
Easter in Corfu is a true super show with tens of thousands of spectators!
The traditional local customs, the glory, and the strong sense of community will make you feel like a real Corfiot.
Don’t spend any more tie thinking about it. Book your trip to Corfu now.
gocreations