Corfu’s Orthodox Easter is one of the most famous and characteristic holidays in Greece. For the Greek Orthodox Church, Easter is the most important holiday of the year.
Orthodox Easter and Catholic Easter almost never coincide because the Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar while the Catholic Church follows the Gregorian calendar.
Easter celebrations in Corfu begin on the Saturday before Palm Sunday with Lazarus Saturday, which corresponds to the resurrection of Lazarus. Throughout the week events follow one another at a fast pace; on Thursday, eggs are painted red, but Friday and Saturday are the two days with the most important rites.
Each church carries its own epitaph corresponding to the dead Jesus in procession and one often comes across processions criss-crossing in the alleys. They do not all start at the same time. The first is that of the church of Panagia Spileotissa, the last one with the epitaph in Mitropolis at 22:00, accompanied by the Corfu Philharmonic Orchestra is the largest.
ORTHODOX EASTER
Holy Saturday is the most significant day and the most full of rituals.
At 6 a.m. in the Church of Our Lady of Foreigners, the faithful noisily beat the pews, simulating the earthquake that, according to the Bible, took place during the resurrection. After this, they move from mourning to joy for the imminent arrival of Easter.
At 11 a.m. comes the time for the throwing of the botides. The inhabitants throw red-painted jugs from the balconies with Calò Pasca written on them, often full of water.
The custom of throwing the old jugs probably originated to celebrate the start of the agricultural season, filling the new ones with fresh fruit. Come evening, there is a big party on the Spianada square, the second largest square in Europe. Before Sunday, greetings are given by saying Calò Pasca, on Sunday they say Kristos anesti, that is, Risen Christ.
For the Greeks, Easter Saturday is the first resurrection, for the Orthodox Christ rises for the first time on Saturday to go and save souls in the afterlife who have not received Christian doctrine.
At midnight on the Sabbath instead Christ ascends to heaven.
ORTHODOX EASTER ON A BOAT IN SALENTO
30/04/24
Departure from the marina of Santa
Maria di Leuca in the afternoon,time to be
to be determined.
1/05/24
Stop in Ericussa with overnight stay and
visit to the island (probable bathing on
beach)
2/05/24
Departure from Ericoussa towards the island of
Corfu with bathing stop and lunch in the
vicinity of Agios Stefanos.
In the afternoon we reach the port of
Mandraki sailing club in the shadow of the
old fortress.
3/05/24
Start of the Easter celebrations
following the programme of events
programme of events outlined above
4/05/24
Kaló Pasca to the rhythm of the Philharmonic of
Corfu
5/05/24
KRISTOS ANESTI
Free morning before embarking on the
navigation to Santa Maria di Leuca
