Here are a few more photos from my recent TV shoot in Greece — one of several countries included in my upcoming Rick Steves’ European Easter public television special.
The Easter greeting here in Greece, “Kalo Pascha,” literally means “good passing” — a passing from sadness (the Crucifixion) to happiness (the Resurrection). I was told, “It mixes together, like births come with pain.”
Most of these photos were snapped in the middle of the night, as Good Friday was just starting. On Good Friday, the faithful fill the church as if attending a funeral. You’ll notice lots and lots of flowers. As flowers are an important part of any Greek burial (they’re tossed into the grave with the dirt), the priest scatters flowers upon the symbolic tomb of Christ. He then ritualistically showers the entire congregation with flowers. (Tracking the priest with our cameraman, I found myself in an April shower of petals, and folded my hands prayerfully. Later I saw that the more appropriate response was to just have fun and enjoy the moment.)
Be sure to click on each image below to learn more about Good Friday rituals in the Greek Orthodox faith.
On Maundy Thursday, Jesus and his apostles have their last peaceful moments together at the Last Supper. Many Greek Orthodox hardly sleep that night, as the crucifix is decorated with flowers.
On Good Friday morning, a service is held as the priest removes Christ from the cross. When it passes behind the iconostasis, the figure is replaced with a shroud bearing the image of Jesus. This is paraded through the church on its way to a symbolic burial. These boys with candles lead the way.
After the shroud is placed in the ceremonial tomb (or epitaph), people line up to kiss it.
With huge emotion and commotion, the epitaph is carried out of the church and into the city…and the Good Friday procession begins.
It seemed the entire city was out, young and old, walking with the epitaph. Choirs sang, and old-timers looked on from balconies — their candles lit in worshipful solidarity. It was a timeless experience.
Three churches all paraded their respective epitaphs through Nafplio. All of the processions met on the main square, where the bishop (who happened to have the longest, whitest beard of all) gave a blessing. People then dispersed to await the Resurrection.
May I please clear up a few items: “Kalo Pascha” means “Good Passover”. The funeral bier decorated with flowers is called the kouvouklion. The tapestry with the icon on it that gets placed in the kouvouklion is called the epitaphios.
No disrespect Chris….my family is from Greece and I have much family in the motherland. And my parents and family still call it the epitaphion. Call it whatever you want, but it’s that feeling that Rick wrote about …that the Orthodox rite is fom the “soul”that is important. That’s what makes Orthodox Easter so special…..we are not talking about historical facts but the feeling of what Easter represents and Rick really evokes that feeling in his photos and writings.
Rick, I’m so glad you mentioned “It seemed the entire city was out, young and old, walking with the epitaph.” I had noticed the same thing from your photos that there was obviously such a strong sense of community present, all being united by this special moment that you were a part of also. Wonderful!
No disrespect taken Ym as I believe that I identified the items accurately. (Ref. http://lent.goarch.org/articles/lent_friday.asp) To your point and I think this is where the confusion lies is that when the epitaphios is placed into the kouvouklion, then the whole structure is referred to as epitaphios and not merely the kouvouklion. As to the feeling, I would describe it as somber and sorrowful; it’s a funeral after all. Now the Resurrection service is different; that is pure joy. “The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away”
Great information, can’t wait to see the final product
Thanks Chris….You are very correct, but to many it’s still just referred to as the “epitaphio”, when our church group gets together to decorate, it’s always been called ” decorating the Epitaphion”. LOL. It is what it is. I tend to be more of a stickler when it comes to accuracy of history, cultural facts and art objects. Xpistos Anesti.
You are both using the correct word but if you speak the Greek language YM is more correct. O epitaphios is Greek for the epitaphion. YM is using the word correctly by saying the epitaphio. It’s all a matter of correct grammar.