Holy Week

The holiest days of the Christian calendar are the Easter days. Easter, “Πάσχα” is celebrated in the Orthodox church in a climate of solemn. All they days of the Holy Week, which in Greek is called, η “Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα”, are considered sacred since they commemorate Christ Sufferings, Crucification, Death and Resurrection.

Holy Thursday and Holy Friday

Holy Thursday is the day of the Last Supper. During the church service the 12 Gospels are read. On the Holy Thursday night women decorate the tomb of Christ with flowers. The tomb holds a symbolic representation of Christ after the Crucifixion.

Holy Friday Is the day when Christ was crucified. On Holy Friday night, the Epitaph procession takes place. The believers follow the decorated tomb of Christ while performing the hyms of the Holy Friday. During the Christ’s funeral pocession, the pilgrims also hold candles. The pocession takes place around the church, around the nearest streets of the church area and around the small Greek villages.

What are the flowers of the Christ Epitaph?

The most common flowers of the Epitaph are lilacs, hyacinths, anemones, daisies, field flowers, white and purlpe lilies, roses, orchids and violets. Other flowers used in specific areas of Greece are formia, violet, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, amaranths, anemones, freesias, irises, camellias and even lemon flowers.

These flowers are the “ornaments” of the Epitaph that are selected every year from the Greek countryside or by florists. Moreover, the inner part of the Epitaph has rose petals.

What are the basic colors of the Christ Epitaph?

The basic colors are purple, white and red.

Purple symbolizes mourning, white symbolizes purity, and red symbolizes the blood of Christ.

May this Easter be filled with deep faith and love!

Καλή και Ευλογημένη Ανάσταση σε όλους!

Λεξιλόγιο – Vocabulary

1/ ο Επιτάφιος = Epitaph

2/ το λουλούδι = flower

3/ ο θρήνος = mourning

4/ η Ανάσταση = Resurrection

5/ συμβολίζω = symbolize