An Easter to remember!
- Easter is a very special celebration for the people of Paros, who celebrate it with the pomp and solemnity it demands. Hence, after Anastasi (the resurrection) and lent, they feel thoroughly cleansed and redeemed.
On Holy Thursday, the services at all the churches and monasteries (in operation) of the island give a unique perspective to the meaning of the day and help visitors to fully comprehend the significance of Christ's sacrifice, in a way that every believer should experience.
On Good Friday, the Deposition of Christ takes place in Byzantine splendor at Panagia of Ekatontapiliani, while unparalleled emotion is experienced at the service at Ai Yiorgis on Lagada hill. At midday on Good Friday, the residents of the village of Prodromos treat visitors to their traditional chickpea soup. In the evening, the baton is passed to the youths of Marpissa, Marmara, Prodromos, Lefkes and Aspro Chorio for their representations of the Passions of Christ, with awe-inspiring events along the route of the Epitaph of each village. Simultaneous pageantry and an emotive atmosphere is experienced at the meetings of the Epitaphs in Parikia and the port of Naoussa, with thousands of believers following in orchestrated silence, and spirits rise. The procession of the Epitaph in Kostos is particularly solemn. Good Friday comes to a close with the inwardness and silent grief the day deserves, at the all-night vigils of the monasteries of Agion Theodoron and Loggovardas.
On Holy Saturday, joy and jubilation are experienced in a very special way at all the churches of the island. At midnight, the words Christos Anesti (Christ is risen) ring out and on Easter Sunday, the feasts are euphoric with traditional roast lamb on a spit and local dances. Visitors can experience the revival of the "kounia" custom in Marpissa.
The faithful will have the opportunity to experience the Second Resurrection in Naoussa. This is a custom that takes us back to the era of the ship captains. One can imagine what is happening at the port with the sounds of the ships firing during the procession of the icon of Panagia in Naoussa square, on the evening of Love.
The celebrations do not come to an end on Easter Sunday, as there are large festivals on Easter Monday at the Agios Georgios churches of Paros, in Agairia, Lagada and Naoussa.