close window to exit this page www.ithacagreece.com Click to enlarge some of the photos
	_________________________________________________________________________________________ The Resurrection - Anastasis Greek Easter April 22nd 2006     Anastasis means Resurrection. It's the big ceremony of Greek Easter. Just before midnight, Ithaki goes black and then one by one a candle is lit until the island is illuminated again. The Fast breaks at midnight and the traditional soup is feasted on.
	Papas Babbis gave an excellent Church Service for all who turned up in Kioni for Anastasis, loudly interrupted with fire crackers going off through its' entirety. A tradition, not well understood by many in the community, but participated in by many of the most unlikely. This pyro enthusiasm was more annoying than harmless fun should be, but it's an Ithacan tradition that is not so easily broken. In many Ithacan churches, a 2 - 3 hour service preluded the symbolic lighting of candles at midnight, celebrating Christs' Resurrection. A windy night impeded the congregations' attempt to keep the flame burning until it reached home, but that didn't stop everyone from trying. Greek Easter is probably the most important religious event on the calendar and brings everyone back to their village to celebrate it with family and loved ones. Midnight also breaks the Lent Fast with margaritsa soup, a delicatessen of entails, and a traditional Ithacan favourite. Easter celebrations go on early into the morning with more fire crackers exploding around the island and merriment in the streets, resembling more, a western New Years Eve, as opposed to the religiously significant evening of Anastasis. It was good to see many visitors taking part in the celebration. This year many came earlier in the season to witness Easter, Greek Style, and were not disappointed in the traditional nuance that is Easter on Ithaca.
	_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ close window to exit this page www.ithacagreece.com