Traditional Easter in the greek islands

There are a million and one reasons to visit the Greek islands: Blue Flag-awarded beaches, medieval castles, awe-inspiring monasteries, and the capital cities (Chora) of each and every island that are oh-so-unique! But today, we want to give you one more reason to hop on that ferry and make the Greek islands your next destination: Greek Orthodox Easter! In Greece, Easter is considered one of the most important holidays and there is a variety of local customs and traditions across different places to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Celebrate Greek Easter enjoying the serenity of the sea along with the religious fervor of the Easter Season. We’ve put together a list of the most interesting customs celebrated on several islands that will make your time there even more special!

Spend your Easter holidays on the Greek islands! Travel to some of the best destinations to experience local traditions and unique celebrations. Visit Corfu to witness the pottery smashing tradition, also known as botides. See the spectacular “rocket war” held on the Resurrection Night in Chios. Watch the reenactment of the Last Supper at the main square of Patmos. Find the perfect spot to see the four Epitaphs meet at Ermoupolis in Syros Island. Organize an unforgettable Easter break and get to know the customs of the Greek islands.

Kythnos
This rather tranquil island, may not be as well-known as its neighboring islands of Syros and Serifos, but it marks the Easter season with a very unique tradition called the "Swing of Easter". Each Monday after Easter Sunday, a swing is set up at the central square of the island, where couples wearing traditional costumes, profess their love to each other and commit before God to unite their lives in marriage.

Church in Kythnos

Another local tradition is the “Synhorio Roast”, a meal of roasted meat people enjoy after the Easter Liturgy on Holy Saturday night, as a symbol of forgiveness for the souls of those who have passed away. Experience the Easter Celebrations of this island and enjoy the spring colors as nature re-awakens after the winter with ferry tickets to Kythnos at letsferry.com. Re-birth happening right in front of your eyes…

Paros
Good Friday on the island of Paros starts at the village of Prodromos, where people serve a local dish of freshly cooked chickpeas (Revithada). In the villages of Marpissa, Lefkes, Aspro Chorio and Marmara, there is a beautiful tradition that involves the revival of the Passion of Christ: young kids recreate scenes from the Resurrection of Lazarus, the Last Supper, the Ascension to Golgotha, and the Crucifixion.

Naousa in Paros in the night

Easter in Paros is not to be missed! Get your ferry tickets to Paros at Let’s Ferry fast and hassle-free.

Patmos
The island of Patmos, also known as the island of Apocalypse, is one of the top places for religious pilgrimage among all Christians. Here, Easter celebration draws many references from the New Testament. It begins on Palm Sunday, when palm leaf embroideries in the shape of a cross or a fish are given to the faithful all over the churches of the island. On Holy Thursday, the Ceremony of the Holy Washbowl takes place in the Town Hall Square. In a ritual representing the Last Supper, the Abbot of the Monastery, who depicts Jesus Christ, washes the feet of 12 monks, who represent the Jesus’ 12 disciples.

Chora in Patmos

On Easter Sunday, the “Agape Service" is celebrated with religious fervor as the Gospe; is chanted in seven different languages, ancient Homeric Greek being one of them. At the end of the service, the Abbot offers red Easter eggs to the faithful. You can be part of this beautiful Easter rituals and celebrations in Patmos! Plan ahead for your Easter vacation in Patmos and get your cheap ferry tickets.

Skiathos
In his books, the Greek author Alexandros Papadiamantis often describes the Easter Celebrations on his island, Skiathos. But even if don’t know Papadiamantis, just get your cheap ferry tickets to Skiathos, the most cosmopolitan of the Sporades island complex, and experience a unique and spiritual Easter vacation. On Maundy Thursday children sing the Easter Carols carrying flower-adorned crosses made of reeds.

Skiathos port

On Good Friday, make sure to stay up until the early hours: the Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday begins at 01.00 am of the following day and the Epitaph procession concludes around 4.00 am. When the faithful returns to the church, there is a reenactment of the Harrowing of Hell, the triumphant descent of Christ into Hades, during which the priest pushes the door shouting “Open the gates”. On Easter Monday around the lake of Agios Georgios equestrian competitions take place.

Syros
Here, just like in Corfu, the Pope has given permission to push out the day of Catholic Easter in order to celebrate it simultaneously with the Orthodox. This synchronicity of Easter celebrations makes for a beautiful religious tradition that attracts people from all over Greece who want to be part of this unforgettable experience. In Ano Syros, a unique procession of the Epitaph starts from the temple of St. George (Agios Georgios) and takes place inside the cemetery, in a very unique and emotional setting.

Church of Saint Nikolas in Syros

Earlier in the afternoon, all the Epitaphs are carried to Miaouli square in Ermoupolis, and follow a common parade alongside the sea accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra. Every year, Saint Nicholas the Poor, the church of Ano Syros competes with Saint Nicholas the Rich in the prestigious neighborhood of Vaporia on which one had the most impressive fireworks and rockets. To see who the winner will be this year, all you have to do is find the available itineraries and book your cheap ferry tickets to Syros. Book online and have your tickets delivered at your door or pick them up at the port.

Hydra
A short two hours from the port of Piraeus, you can experience the most sea-like Easter of your life. Just book your ferry tickets to Hydra on time, because it’s one of the most popular destinations during Easter for Greeks and foreign vacationers. Here, on Good Friday, at the area of Kaminia, there is a custom that started by the sponge divers in the area, whereby the procession of the Epitaph takes place inside the sea.

Hydra by night

Folegandros
The spring season on this beautiful Cycladic island is just as impressive as the summer. During Easter, the people of the island open their houses, clean and prepare the streets and squares for the icon of the Virgin Mary that passes through on Easter Sunday. From the church of Panagia all the way to the island’s main city (Chora), to Pounta and the areas of Ano Meria to Karavostasi, the locals welcome the procession with the icon of the Virgin Mary and offer raki, appetizers and wine to the people accompanying the procession.

Beautiful chapel in Folegandros

The procession ends on Easter Tuesday and, when the weather allows, the icon travels by boat to all the bays of the island. You will be impressed by how Easter is celebrated in Folegandros and you are sure to come back with beautiful stories and experiences to talk about. So, wait no more, book your ferry tickets to Folegandros on time!

Take advantage of Let’s Ferry’s Web Check-in Service to save time and avoid long lines. Make your booking fun and easy, find plenty of offers at Let’s Ferry, and get your ferry tickets to a new unforgettable destination!