PHOTOGRAPH: DESPINA GALANI
“Orthodox Easter in Skopelos is a wonderful time to experience the colorful best of this island.”
Orthodox Easter in Skopelos is a wonderful time to experience the colorful best of this island.
The sounds and sights of ancient Greek customs, combine for a beautiful spring celebration for the rebirth of nature. The picturesque villages and warm locals, are willing to guide you during the solemn sequences of days leading up to Easter Sunday.
Holy Week ( Megali Ebdomada )
The entire Holy Week exudes devout character. In Skopelos, the religious traditions with the popular perception of the divine are closely tied and ordinary people experience this intense bond.
Palm Sunday
On the Friday before Palm Sunday housewives and yiayias begin to prepare homes for the big celebration.
Palm Sunday everyone goes to church to get the tree branch Vagias hand delivered by the priest to place on an icon in their home as a blessing.
Holy Friday
By the afternoon of Holy Friday women and young girls spend the day decorating the Epitaph where the Body of Christ is laid (a bible or cross is placed in the Epitaph). In the evening ceremony with candles in hand parishioners and visitors alike sing in procession, and children verse the Eulogies of Epitaph passing by other parishes, and inviting all to come together at the promenade to enjoy the devout illumination with colorful lanterns and the dim light of candles
Holy Saturday
From early morning children handing out traditional buns in homes with red eggs, and visit their grandmothers and grandfathers .
At midnight when the bells ring, everyone enters the church to receive the Holy Light and hear the good news of the Resurrection. They joyfully exchange wishes and crack their red eggs.
Easter Sunday
A day of divine love, Skopelos countryside and seaside is filled with happy voices, songs, flowers and the intoxicating scents of spring. A big feast is enjoyed featuring traditional Greek foods, goat and lamb as main dishes and many other customary Greek side dishes.
For the entire Holy Week, by car you can cross the island from one end to another, and participate in various churches throughout the week to memorize unique traditional scenes and moments. The positivity and joy of life is felt in the serenity of the sea, and the cool and pine fragrant mountains of Skopelos.
Discover Skopelos
See filming sights from the Hollywood movie "Mamma Mia". Drive along the west coast and then head across to the chapel where the wedding scene took place. Walk up the 199 steps to the top, if you wish, or just take in the views of the ocean.
Getting There
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