Photo of the week

Easter Firework Celebrations in Greece

28th April 2014

Easter in Greece is the most sacred and special time of year, where people throughout the mainland and the Greek islands come together in their local towns and celebrate with parades, traditional ceremonies, feasts and fireworks.

The week before Easter in Greece is known as ‘Megáli Evdomáda’ (Holy Week) and consists of the final stage of the 40-day fast, where churches are adorned with swathes of black velvet and packed full of people each evening during worship. To for the weekend celebrations, Maundy Thursday sees games of daubed eggs which have been hard boiled and painted red to represent the rebirth of life.

On Good Friday the women of each of the parishes decorate an Epitáfios (Bier of Christ) and parade solemnly through the dusky streets as the sun goes down. The gift giving begins on Easter Saturday and home-made chocolate eggs, traditional cakes and sweet Easter loaves are handed out whilst the churches decked out in white and red, the altars woven with flowers and lemon flowers scattered over the floors.

At midnight to mark Easter Sunday, the towns are plunged into darkness with just one flickering candle held by the priest kept alive. This light passed around the congregation, slowly illuminating everything to represent the light of the world. An explosion of fireworks then ignite the sky, dynamite is thrown from the cliffs and rival parishes fire rockets at each-others church steeples.

The incredible sequence of events is followed by the breaking of fast on Easter Sunday where a delectable offering of food, predominantly lamb is feasted upon. This can be the perfect way to experience a unique and spectacular cultural highlight in Greece during a superyacht vacation, whilst still enjoying the scenery and beaches that the region has to offer.

See our full guide to Greece to see what else is on offer any time of year and contact your preferred yacht broker who can help you create your dream itinerary.

See all yachts available for charter in Greece.  

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