Easter in Corfu

The "Earthquake"

Early in the morning of Holy Saturday, at 06:00 a.m., at the Church of Panagia ton Xenon, the custom of the earthquake is reenacted. It is caused by noise and the shaking of all the icons and vigil lamps of the church. The faithful beat the pews to cause an artificial earthquake and represent the earthquake that followed the Resurrection of Jesus.

Procession of Saint Spyridon

At 9:00 a.m. from the Church of Saint Spyridon starts the procession of the Saint, which was established in 1550 when Corfu was saved from famine. Simultaneously, the Epitaph is also carried in procession, in contrast to the rest of Greece, where epitaphs are taken out on Good Friday. It is a custom maintained since 1574. The Venetians, for security reasons, prohibited Orthodox processions on Good Friday, allowing only the procession of the Saint on Holy Saturday. Since then, Corfiots carry the Epitaph of Saint Spyridon's church together with the Saint's relics. The procession is followed by the three major philharmonic bands of Corfu, performing solemn marches such as adaptations from the opera Amleto by Franco Faccio, Calde Lacrime by Cesare de Michelis, "The Kingdom of Pluto" by D. Andronis, and the Eroica Symphony by Beethoven.^[6][7]

The breaking of the "Botides" (First Resurrection)

At 11:00 a.m., with the signal of the First Resurrection, the church bells ring joyfully across the city, and residents throw the botides out of their windows or balconies. The botides are clay jugs, filled with water, with a narrow neck and two handles on the side, tied with red ribbons. The windows are adorned with a red cloth. The breaking of the jugs symbolizes the removal of bad luck, which is why to this day locals and visitors take the pieces home.

It is a custom celebrated only in Corfu and has roots from the Venetian era. The Catholic Venetians broke old jugs on New Year's Day as a "tribute" to the new year, to bring them new goods to their homes. The Orthodox Corfiots adopted the custom and moved it to Easter, when the Venetians allowed them to celebrate only at midday.

This custom is also accompanied by the local philharmonics. As soon as the pots are smashed, the philharmonic bands take to the streets once again, playing the joyful march “Grekoi”.^[8]

The "Mastela" custom

The "Mastela" custom takes place in the Pinia area. According to the custom, residents place a barrel filled with water and decorated with flowers and ribbons and invite passersby to throw coins while making a wish. At the time of the First Resurrection, someone jumps in and collects the coins. Centuries ago when the custom started, residents would catch an unsuspecting passerby walking in the city and throw him into the barrel to collect the coins.

The tradition of the Holy Light

The reception of the Holy Light takes place in Pentofanaro in the presence of local authorities and is transferred to the Church of Saint Paraskevi where the Resurrection Service begins.^[9] Shortly before midnight, the Resurrection procession is moved to the music pavilion of the Upper Spianada Square. There the Resurrection is celebrated and "Christos Anesti" is chanted, with the three Philharmonic bands of the city playing the march "Grekoi". This is followed by drumming, flares, and fireworks.

Lazarus Saturday

Customs related to Easter start on Lazarus Saturday. Every year on the eve of Saturday after sunset in the village of Episkepsi in northern Corfu, the local choir and crowds of people sing the "carols of Lazarus" in the neighborhoods, while housewives offer Lenten snacks and wine.

On the day, after the service held in the Church of "Saint Nicholas of the Elders" (San Nicolo dei Vecchi) in the "Kambielo", at 11:30 in the morning, choral ensembles of the island start a musical tour in various parts of the historic center of the city, singing the "Carols of Lazarus".^[10] Their final meeting takes place in "San Giaccomo", the old Town Hall of the City. This event is organized by "Carrier of Corfiot Expression". In the afternoon, a religious music concert is traditionally held at the Municipal Theater of Corfu.

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, which in Corfu is called "Kyriaki ton Vagione", a procession of Saint Spyridon's relic is held every year at 11:00 a.m. in memory of the liberation of the island from the plague epidemic in 1629.^[11] According to the Christian religious tradition, following the miraculous intervention of Saint Spyridon, the island was saved from the deadly pestilence.^[12]

This is the longest procession of the Saint. All 17 Philharmonic Orchestras of Corfu participate, and after the procession, they parade in the Old Town playing happy marches.^[13]

Holy Monday

On Holy Monday, Corfiot housewives begin baking traditional sweet breads: "fogatses" (of Venetian origin with liqueur and kumquat) and "colombines" (braid-shaped, decorated with a red egg and a feather). In the evening, the "Mantzaros" Philharmonic usually holds a concert at the Municipal Theatre of Corfu featuring works inspired by the Holy Passion.

Holy Tuesday

On Holy Tuesday, the "Troparion of Kassiani" is chanted in churches and outdoors by island choirs. In the evening, a Musical Poetry Night is organized at the Peristyle of the Old Palace.

Holy Wednesday

On Holy Wednesday the lanterns in the streets of the city, in Liston and the Palace are lit up in purple, as is the cross in the Old Fortess of the city.^[14] Earlier in the afternoon, the Service of the Washing of the Feet is chanted by the Choir of Ecclesiastical Music.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, in the Catholic Cathedral (Duomo), there is a reenactment of the washing of the Apostles’ feet by Jesus. The Catholic Archbishop symbolically washes the feet of 12 children. In villages, the custom of "weaving the maypole" revives inside the church. In the evening, large crowds gather around the buildings of the three philharmonic bands to listen to funeral marches during their final general rehearsal.

Easter Sunday

On the morning of Easter Sunday, the Resurrection Divine Liturgy and the procession of the Lord's Resurrection icon take place in many churches, following the old Byzantine tradition. In the afternoon, the Vespers of Love is held at the Metropolitan Cathedral, during which the Gospel is read in multiple languages.

Easter Tuesday

On Tuesday afternoon (18:00), the placing of the Holy Relic of Saint Spyridon back in its reliquary takes place. This custom is known as "Mpasmatha of the Saint", held in the presence of local authorities and the participation of the city's oldest philharmonic bands.

"Oi Grekoi"