The Resurrection
Ithaca Greece ..
 
 
 
From Vathy to Kioni, church service chants and fire crackers echoed across the island for the celebration of The Resurrection. The chanting is soothing, but the fire crackers for me personally, are more than annoying, the noise is painful.
This year I headed up to Anoghi in hope of a more peaceful Resurrection ceremony. The word across the north was that the service was between 9pm and 10pm, but unfortunately for me, it all finished at 9.30pm which gave me just enough time to see the last people leaving.
Over the past years, I've spend The Resurrection in Kioni, so this year it was time to head to Platrithia. I was hoping for less fire crackers and apart from 1 middle aged juvenile sneaking up behind people to fire on off, I was relieved not to be shocked out of my skin by the hordes that usually let them off in Kioni and Vathy. I'm certain the locals enjoy this explosion of enthusiasm, but my nervous system shuts down with the multiple shocks. Sometimes the crackers sound more like dynamite, making the ground rumble under foot.
The Resurrection at Platrithia was really very refreshing. Warm locals, some of the first I met back in 1983, congregating to celebrate this big celebration.
 
 
 
Traditionally this service should conclude at midnight, but with one priest servicing several of the northern churches, the village services were staggered until the last in Kioni.
 
At Platriithia, the Taxiarchis church lights lit the skyline. As the hour between 10 & 11pm progressed, the more people arrived at the church.
 
THE RESURRECTION
 
 
 
 
The liturgy concludes with the church lights out and the priest, Papas Babis, appearing from behind the alter, a single flame candle in hand, with which all the candles in the church are lit, one by one. Locals endeavour to keep the flame alight until they reach home.
 
I really enjoyed spending this celebration with the Platrithia community and the fact that there were not hundreds of loud fire crackers going off, was an extra bonus.
 

The Resurrection

Greek Easter 2010