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About Corfu Corfu Easter
About Corfu Corfu Easter
| Corfu Easter |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Thursday, 16 October 2008 06:25 |
 Easter in Corfu (Korfu) isalnd is a huge festival, in which various components come together harmoniously, the Orthodox Christian faith, pagan traditions, the powerful presence of Saint Spiridon, the Roman Catholic community, the Venetian influence, genuine Corfiot humour, phtlharmonic bands and of course the spring atmosphere.Thousands of tourists (foreign and Greek) gather every year to experience this unique occasion, a combination of rich Corfu history with traditional religious customs.
The Holy week in Corfu (Korfu) island is dominated by the burial services held in the churches, the Fast and the expectation of the Resurrection. On Holy Wednesday the Municipal Choir gives a concert of ecclesiastical music. This tradition was established in 1989 with the aim of approaching the Holy Drama through the music of both the Eastern and the Western Church. Good Friday is the day of the Epitaphios, the funeral of Christ. All over the island every church brings out its own funeral bier and parades it around the parish. On Holy Saturday morning at 9 a.m the procession of Saint Spiridon, which was consecrated in 1550 when the Saint saved the island from famine, takes place.The Saint shares the stage  with the Epitaphios of his own church, a custom which was established during Venetian times when, for reasons of security, epitaphios processions were forbidden, while the procession of the Saint was permitted. At 11 a.m. the First Resurrection and the "Pot Throwing" custom take place, and the local people throw pots out of their windows, smashing them onto the streets below .With the participation of all Church officials, the Resurrection service finishes here at 11 pm, to permit the clergy time to pre pare themselves for the Orthodox service. All over Greece the ceremony takes place on a platform outside the church.
In Corfu town, the service is held in the Upper Esplanade Square, starting at the Church of Agia Paraskevi, with the, participation of the Bishop, the philharmonic orchestras, and thousands of people. At Pinia, the old commercial center of the town, the custom of the “mastelas” (washtub) has been estabilished. A half-barrel decorated with myrtle and ribbon, is filled with water, and passers-by are invited to throw coins inside for good luck. When the first bell sounds for the Resurrection, someone jumps in the barrel and gathers the money.
Easter Sunday, early in the morning, a procession leaves from each church with the Resurrection icon and at 11 a.m. the Easter feast in the New fortress begins, organized by the Corfu Naval station. At 6.30 p.m. in Garitsa, the old procession of Aghias Triados Resurrection takes place. Easter in Corfu is considered to be the most magnificent celebration in Greece! Don't miss the opportunity to live this experience! |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 13 November 2008 07:31 |
