Easter in Greece: 5 Unique Traditions You’ll Find Nowhere Else
Easter in Greece is more than a religious holiday—it’s a national celebration woven into the heart of Greek culture. Across the country, Holy Week (Megali Evdomada) unfolds with a deep sense of reverence and joy, culminating in Resurrection Sunday.
Some customs are shared throughout Greece:
The Epitaphios procession on Good Friday, where a flower-decorated bier representing Christ’s tomb is carried through the streets.
The midnight Resurrection Service on Holy Saturday, where people light candles from the “Holy Light” and proclaim Christos Anesti! (Christ is Risen!).
The game of egg-cracking (tsougrisma) with red-dyed eggs, symbolizing new life.
The roasted lamb feast on Easter Sunday, bringing family and friends together.
But beyond these beloved traditions, several regions of Greece celebrate Easter in spectacularly unique ways that can’t be found anywhere else. Let’s explore five destinations where Easter becomes an unforgettable experience.
People in Corfu celebrate the tradition of Botides by throwing clay pots on the street. Image by Daniel Fasoli @unsplash
1. Corfu – The Joyous Chaos of the “Pot Throwing” (Botides)
Where: Corfu Town
When: Morning of Holy Saturday
In Corfu, Easter is a symphony of music, joy, and smashing pottery. The island’s most famous tradition is the Botides, a custom that dates back to Venetian rule and symbolizes the casting away of misfortune and welcoming new life.
How it happens:
At exactly 11:00 AM on Holy Saturday, the bells of the Church of the Annunciation ring.
Locals throw large clay pots from their balconies down onto the cobbled streets below.
Crowds cheer as the pots shatter loudly, and marching bands fill the streets with joyful music.
A Personal Note:
I stood on the corner of Liston Street, heart pounding, as the first pot exploded beside me. Laughter, applause, and the sharp scent of orange blossoms filled the air. The feeling was pure, cathartic joy—as if the whole town had agreed to break free from sorrow together.
The museum of Byzantine art is in Solomos Square, Zakynthos. It is one of the central locations where the Epitaphios procession passes by. Image by Pixabay @license
2. Zakynthos – The Haunting Good Friday Lament
Where: Zakynthos Town
When: Early morning hours of Good Friday
Zakynthos observes Good Friday in a way that stands apart from the rest of Greece—with a blend of solemnity, silence, and theatrical drama that moves even the most casual observer.
How it happens:
Around 2:00 AM, a simulated earthquake shakes the church and bells toll violently—reenacting the moment of Christ’s death.
The “Amfiali” hymn, a traditional Zakynthian dirge, is sung with emotional intensity by local choirs.
The Epitaphios procession follows, moving slowly through the streets under a shroud of deep silence and mourning.
A Personal Note:
As the haunting hymn echoed through the dark, candlelit streets, the emotion was overwhelming. The entire town moved as one—no talking, just reflection. It was the most emotionally charged moment of Easter I’ve ever witnessed.
The lighting of the flaming crosses takes place on Good Friday in Meteora. Image by Sergio Garcia @unsplash
3. Meteora – The Fiery Crosses of Kastraki
Where: Village of Kastraki, near Meteora
When: Good Friday night
Meteora’s dramatic cliffs and monasteries create a surreal setting for one of Greece’s most mystical Easter traditions: the lighting of flaming crosses on the cliffs above the village.
How it happens:
On Good Friday, villagers climb the rocky terrain and prepare large wooden crosses.
As the Epitaphios procession makes its way through Kastraki, the crosses are set alight, glowing against the backdrop of the towering rock formations.
The area is filled with the sound of Byzantine hymns echoing from the cliffside monasteries.
A Personal Note:
Watching the burning crosses emerge in the darkness was something I’ll never forget. It felt ancient and sacred, like being present for a ceremony untouched by time. The fires flickered like stars across the mountain, lighting a path between earth and heaven.
4. Chios – The Rocket War of Vrontados (Rouketopolemos)
Where: Village of Vrontados, Chios
When: Holy Saturday night
Chios is home to one of the most explosive and controversial Easter traditions in the country: the Rocket War between two rival churches.
How it happens:
On Holy Saturday night, two parishes—Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani—launch thousands of homemade rockets at each other.
The aim is to hit the opposing church’s bell tower, and both parishes keep track of “successful hits.”
The spectacle fills the sky with fire, light, and thunderous noise, lasting until the early morning.
A Personal Note:
I watched the war unfold from a nearby hilltop, heart racing with each crackle in the sky. It was beautiful and chaotic, like being inside a firestorm. And yet, behind the rivalry, there was a shared sense of celebration, unity, and tradition.
In the medieval Venetian Napaktos harbour, the Judas Iscariot's burning takes place on Easter Sunday. Image by Jason Mavromatis @unsplash
5. Nafpaktos – The Burning of Judas by the Sea
Where: Nafpaktos Harbor
When: Easter Sunday evening
In Nafpaktos, Easter ends with flames on the water. The town stages a dramatic burning of Judas Iscariot at sea, framed by the medieval Venetian harbour.
How it happens:
A large effigy of Judas is erected on a wooden raft or platform in the harbor.
As night falls on Easter Sunday, the effigy is set ablaze, accompanied by fireworks and cheering crowds.
The spectacle reflects the town’s historical defiance and symbolic cleansing of betrayal.
A Personal Note:
As the burning figure flickered on the waves, I realized how powerfully symbolic and communal this act was. With the harbor bathed in orange light, it felt like a final farewell to sorrow—and a triumphant celebration of light and forgiveness.
A Tapestry of Faith and Identity
These five Easter customs—Corfu’s pot-smashing, Zakynthos’ laments, Meteora’s firelit cliffs, Chios’ rocket duels, and Nafpaktos’ flaming traitor—reveal just how rich and diverse Easter in Greece can be.
Each tradition is a window into the soul of its community, combining Orthodox belief, local history, and shared emotion into something unforgettable. If you ever find yourself in Greece during Easter, venture beyond the familiar—because the spirit of Easter is not only in the church hymns or family feasts, but also in the fire, song, and ancient rituals that live on in these one-of-a-kind places.
Kalo Pascha! (Happy Easter!)
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