ORTHODOX EASTER IN ARTA

Easter (Paska) is the most important celebration in Greece. On Thursday evening an effigy of Christ is nailed to a cross, to be taken down on Friday. Each church decorates an ‘Epitaph’, a model of a tomb, decorated with flowers and containing an icon. On Friday evening the epitaphs are taken in procession around the town, accompanied by funereal music. On Friday and Saturday, the bells toll in mourning and the church doors are draped in black. At midnight on Saturday candles are lit from a single flame amid exclamations of ‘Christos Anesti’, Christ has risen, and much joy.