Photo by www.medievaltown.gr

Easter in Greece is certainly the most significant celebration in folklore Christian. It is especially during Easter that many customs and traditions revive and even though there are many customs that are common across the country, every Greek region has its own set. The island of Rhodes is no exception!

The island withholds a very rich set of traditions for Easter that characterize it and make it a very ideal destination that has many interesting customs to present to visitors, alongside a very spiritual and calming ambience. 

Visitors who will be at the island during the Holy Week could visit any of the island’s churches in the afternoon. Many people go to church every afternoon, with most important that of Good Thursday – the day of dying eggs, which is the day of the Crucifixion and everyone who believes, visits the church to worship the cross and leave flowers which will be used for the decoration of the Epitaph later that evening. This is also the evening that the locals will light up a large fire called the “kalafounos” which symbolizes the burning of Judah and will keep burning until Easter Sunday.  

During the whole of Good Friday, the bells strike mournfully and in the evening people with candles singing mourning songs, follow the Epitaph that will go around the villages.

On Good Saturday everybody is getting ready for the evening of the Resurrection. Fireworks start after 12 noon – after the Holy Light starts to get transported to all parishes in the country – as an indication that the happy event approaches.

After the significant mass of Good Saturday, people return home to have the first proper dinner after Lent which consists of the traditional soup called “magiritsa”, along with other traditional dishes and especially eggs and cheese.

On Easter Sunday, everybody wakes up early in order to start the preparations of the lamb on the spit which is called the “ovelias” and the festive table, which is teamed up with plenty of wine drinking, as well as, traditional music and dancing all day long. Have a great Easter in Rhodes!

Live glorious Easter holidays in the charming island of Rhodes and the beautiful Melenos Lindos Exclusive Suites. Located in the east side of Rhodes, this hotel differs from others as it is decorated with carefully selected pieces of furniture and decorative ornaments, all part of the owner’s collection from his trips to Europe and the East. From April 14-17, enjoy 3 nights at the Melenos Lindos from 639 euro.

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From: Eva Kanellopoulos

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