FESTIVALS On every saint's feast, the church prepares a day or two before. After the church is cleaned, the icons are decorated. In some villages the road to the church is paved with rosemary. In a "public" church, money is collected from everyone for the expenses, while in a "private" one, the expenses are of course borne by the owners. If there is a house next to the church (celebration house), it is "obliged" to prepare the food. The men cook beans, fava beans, cod in cauldrons, while wearing white caps and long aprons. There is no shortage of wine and the revelry lasts until late at night. In the past there were also instruments (lutes, jambuns and violins) and dancing was an integral part of the ceremony.
GOOD FRIDAY IN SANTORINI The procession of the Epitaph on Good Friday in the village of Pyrgos Kallistis is a unique experience for the visitor. Fires are lit in tin lamps which lend a magical atmosphere to the island. A similar custom has recently been taking place in the village of Akrotiri.
THE CUSTOM OF "LAZARUS" The custom of Lazarus is one of the customs celebrated at Easter in Santorini and probably the most impressive after the evening of Good Friday in Pyrgos and Akrotiri. The Lazarus is a large cross made of ship's wood, which the inhabitants make on the Sabbath of Lazarus. It is covered with rosemary and the young women of the island sprinkle it with flowers and fill it with flowers. It symbolizes the resurrection of Lazarus and remains decorated in the square until Ascension Sunday.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou