Magical time: Easter in Santorini
Forget Christmas celebrations, in Greece, Easter is the real spectacle. Locals, especially residents of the stunning Greek islands, are particularly devoted to religion, therefore, it is no wonder Easter in Santorini is kind of a big deal. Let us give you now a fascinating insight into this sacred time of the year.
What happens in Santorini at Easter?
Orthodox Easter is known as the “Feast of Feasts”, with a complex liturgy and a seven-week fast, preceded by a three-week period of preparation. This ten-week period is called the Triodion. During the Holy Forty Days or Lent, from Holy Monday to Lazarus Saturday, locals abstain not only from meat but also from dairy products, wine, and oil, according to a specific order. Orthodox Christian churches in Santorini, and all around Greece, commemorate the miraculous news of Christ’s resurrection at the end of the seven-week fasting period. This year, Orthodox Easter will take place on 16-17 April.
Spectacular Good Friday in Pyrgos and Good Saturday fireworks
Easter in Santorini offers many unique experiences. The picturesque village of Pyrgos is the center of Easter celebrations on the island. In Santorini, it is a centuries-long tradition to walk along the Epitaph’s path at Easter. The procession starts at the steps of the Church of the Virgin Mary in Pyrgos and is followed by thousands of people through the narrow streets of the tiny, whitewashed village. The crowd follows the countless tiny flaming torches that illuminate the entire path. The flames that light up the route of the annual procession are the main attraction every Easter. Climbing up to the roofs of the colorful houses, the young people of Pyrgos place thousands of tins everywhere and light them. From a distance, Pyrgos appears as if it was part of the starry night sky, a romantic sight that will make your Easter holiday in Santorini unforgettable.
On Good Saturday, it’s worth visiting the Prophet Elias Monastery, near the village of Pyrgos to admire the stunning view and the magnificent firework show. The monastery serves as a perfect vantage to watch all the Greek Easter spectacles happening around.
Easter Sunday in Santorini
The real feast begins on Easter Sunday, the day of the Resurrection. At midnight, the Santorini churches fill up with families waiting for the “Holy Flame”. The flame is passed from hand to hand, everyone’s candle is lit and they celebrate the resurrection as one. The sacred flame must be brought home before it is extinguished, and then it is placed in a special corner of the house where everyone can see it. Then, back home, it’s time for the delicious Greek Easter dishes Santorinians prepared during the day. The main dish on this day is magiritsa, a soup made from the offal of a lamb.
On Sunday, the tables are full of meaty delicacies: spit-roasted lamb and goat. After the main course, they also cut the tsoureki, a sweet brioche flavored with masticha.
Quirky Santorini Easter traditions
Just like in other parts of the world, Greeks also like to decorate their homes with dyed eggs at Easter time. According to Greek Orthodox tradition, eggs in Greece are dyed red. In the small villages in Santorini, the traditional way of achieving the desired shade is still done today by using the skin of the red onion.
Tsougrisma is a fun and simple family game played with red eggs. Each participant holds an egg in their hands and clutches them together. In the game, usually only one of the two eggs cracks, so the one whose egg remains intact wins. The winner will be lucky that year. It’s a lovely family game, enjoyed by everyone from little children to the elderly. The game is played on Easter Sunday, and the eggshell cracked during the game each time represents the resurrection of Jesus.
