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Happy Easter. I'm in Hydra and have been watching my first Orthodox Greek Easter since 1981. That was in Rhodes and the excitement of someone setting alight the pony tail of the girl in front of me, has dimmed my memory of the service. Tonight most of the islanders and visitors on Hydra gathered at the small harbour of Kamini to wait for the arrival of the Epitaph ( an icon carried on a bier to represent the body of Christ) . I wasn't expecting to understand any of the service but "Kyrie Eleison" was repeated constantly and as this is familiar to anyone who worships in the Anglican church, I felt quite at home. After the prayers, The Epitaph was walked into the sea, (at nine thirty, on a chilly, blustery evening this really is an act of devotion), blessed and then carried back through the streets followed by the crowd.
Tomorrow I'm looking forward to candles and fireworks.
B to B, You got me to look up the etymology of epitaph - 'upon a tomb'. Happy Easter to you and have a good time in Hydra.
ReplyDeleteI looked it up too. Obvious when you know.
DeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteWe simply love such Festivals as that which you describe here which, one feels, are an on going part of history. We somewhat regret that such occasions are few and far between in Britain but perhaps one needs a Catholic tradition.
Whatever, we wish you both peace and joy this Eastertide.
I recommend you visit Mayfield in Sussex on the night in November when st Dunstan drums the devil out of the village.
DeleteHappy Easter, Annie. You got chocolate? You gotta have chocolate!
ReplyDeleteNot much chocolate around.
DeleteSounds very atmospheric Annie, Happy Easter, keep us posted :) Ozlem
ReplyDeleteIt' s very noisy. Constant bangs. It's like being under fire.
DeleteSorry I've been a bit absent recently - busy - but great to catch up on what's going in your neck of the woods! Wishing you a very happy Easter - and do hope you have access to some decent chocolate. Axxx
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any decent chocolate.
DeleteA very happy Easter to you too, Annie. The Greeks really know how to celebrate the season.
ReplyDeleteI prefer our Easter week.
DeleteDear Annie, I never seen nor read about the ritual you described. The truth is that when I was a Roman Catholic we never studied the Greek Orthodox side of the equation. And so I know next to nothing except for a few dates that represent the movement from Roman to Byzantium rule and the breaking apart of the whole. Thank you for sharing with us how the Church celebrates Good Friday. Peace.
ReplyDelete