From Kalymnos With Love
  • Sights and Activities
  • Food and Drinks
  • A wedding in Kalymnos
  • General info
  • About us
    • Contact
Quick links
Soutzoukakia – Greek meatballs (meat or vegan)
Pothia – exploring Kalymnos Town
Build your dream house in Kalymnos
Greek Easter traditions in Kalymnos
Fakes – Greek lentil soup
Gemista – Greek stuffed vegetables
Where to stay in Kalymnos
Why Vathy is worth a visit
Top 5 places to watch the sunset
Bridal hair, makeup and nails
From Kalymnos With Love
  • Sights and Activities
  • Food and Drinks
  • A wedding in Kalymnos
  • General info
  • About us
    • Contact

Greek Easter traditions in Kalymnos

by Christina & George April 18, 2020
950 views
Throwing dynamite on Greek Easter in Kalymnos

One of the biggest holidays in Greece is Easter. In the Greek Orthodox religion, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated, and it is the most important day of the year for an Orthodox Christian. Many times, the dates do not align with the Western Easter, and this year Greek Easter takes place a week later.

During the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, many people fast. The final week leading up to Easter Sunday is called Holy Week, which depicts the story of Jesus Christ. On each day, something different is celebrated by the church alongside different traditions taking place in the homes of the Greek families.

Koulourakia (Greek Easter cookies) and red eggs
Koulourakia (Greek Easter cookies) and red eggs

Thursday marks the day when Jesus is on the cross, and to symbolize the Last Supper, families dye hard-boiled eggs red. The red color symbolizes the blood of Christ and the eggshell represents the sealed tomb of Christ.

On Holy Friday, Jesus Christ is lying in his tomb, and in the Orthodox church a coffin is decorated (epitaph) and carried by the people around the streets.

Saturday is when he is buried and rises the next day. At this time, masses are gathered at the church, holding a candle in their hands, singing Christos Anesti (Χριστός ανέστη = Christ is risen) when the clock strikes midnight.

Then comes the big day, Easter Sunday. It is the time where families gather and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with food, drinks, cheer, and good company. Greeks crack their red eggs as a symbol of Christ rising from the dead.

How do Greeks celebrate Easter in Kalymnos?

Every Greek island has its own unique Easter traditions, and Kalymnos of course has its own way of doing so.

The Kalymnians make a whole lot of noise with dynamite, which they cast about throughout the island (safely we hope). They also feast on their very own version of stuffed lamb in the oven, which they call Mouri.

The two of us have unfortunately never experienced Easter in Kalymnos (let alone, Greece). Luckily, our friend Michael Kalogerakis, who is a local on the island, has been kind enough to share his perspective on Easter in Kalymnos:

“Easter in Kalymnos Island is a unique period that every traveler must experience. The whole island waits for these days to come. Holy Week is combined with many different happenings due to the Orthodox religion, but the most important days are the last three ones.

Holy Friday

On Friday night, it is the day of the Epitaph (decorated coffin), where every enoria (region in Kalymnos) has its own Epitaph which is carried in the streets by the people.

Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday, there is much to do. Then men are heating up the stone oven in the afternoon, and the boys are gathering dry wood for them to help get the fire going.

In the meantime, Kalymnian women are preparing the traditional Kalymnian Easter meal, Μουούρι (Mouri), which is lamb stuffed with rice, red sauce, and spices. It is a day that is filled with many preparations!

Nowadays there are fewer ovens on the island, so families gather at a home which has an oven. All the lamb must be cooked together into the big clay oven. The lamb is stuffed and slowly cooked to perfection.

Traditional Aegean oven to make Easter lamb
Traditional Aegean oven. (Image credit: HOMAD)

At 12:00 PM (Saturday afternoon), it is the first Anastasi (resurrection). Pothia square is completely crowded by young men who are throwing dynamite in the air, creating a bombarding atmosphere. This time is symbolic because it was when they found out that the tomb of where Jesus laid in was empty.

Pothia Kalymnos by night, seeing dynamite smoke in the mountain
You can see the smoke from the dynamites. (Image credit: Michael Kalogerakis)

On late Saturday evening, every family goes to church around 11:00 PM. At midnight, the priest preaches “Christos Anesti – Christ is risen”. This is the moment when the conviviality changes on a whole different level. Everybody is in their high spirits and firecrackers are taxing your ears.

Easter Sunday

The first thing we do on Easter Sunday is open the ovens to fetch the clay crocks which contain the slow cooked, delicious Mouri. Certainly, everybody must try everyone else’s dish. It is mostly a family day where the whole family gathers (a typical Greek family is above 20 people which includes aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.). The meal lasts until everyone is full. It is a great celebration.

Throwing dynamites on Greek Easter
Throwing dynamites in the mountains. (Image credit: Michael Kalogerakis)

In the afternoon, Pothia square is full once again, mainly because of the dynamite show that takes place every year. Kalymnians throw dynamite from two mountains on either side of Pothia, and the sound of it exploding sometimes even reaches Kantouni, which the opposite side of the island. Some have even said that the locals in Kos can hear them exploding!

Fireworks above Pothia habor on Greek Easter Sunday
Fireworks above Pothia habor (Image credit: Michael Kalogerakis)

The one mountain is on the side where Agios Savvas is, and the other located on the opposite side is called Maurovouni (black mountain) due to a fatal accident that happened back in 1980. When the exploding dynamite ends, there are fireworks and usually the Traditional Dance Group of Kalymnos organizes an event where all Kalymnians can enjoy dance and sing to traditional sounds.”


Meet the co-creator Michael Kalogerakis

Hi! I am Michael Kalogerakis, born and raised in Kalymnos Island (worldwide known as the sponge divers island).

I am currently studying Chemistry in the University of Crete. However, my passion is photography and I try to capture moments and details of our everyday life.

You can find some of my photos on my Facebook page and on my Instagram Profile @mixaliskalogerakis.


0 comment
5
FacebookPinterestEmail

You may also like

Pothia – exploring Kalymnos...

Why Vathy is worth...

Top 5 places to...

The beautiful beaches in...

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

*By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

About us

About us

Christina & George

Hi there, welcome to our blog about Kalymnos. Our goal is to inspire and guide you about what to do and see, where to eat and drink - and even about having a wedding on this beautiful island.

Follow us on Instagram

from.kalymnos.with.love

Kalo mina everyone! 😍 We’re officially in th Kalo mina everyone! 😍

We’re officially in the last month of the year. It’s been a hard one for everybody, but let’s do everything we can to close this year with high spirits and remain optimistic for the next. 🙏🏻

We need to hang on to the hope we have and look forward to the future. (Which will hopefully contain a lot more travelling) ✈

#fromkalymnoswithlove
Pserimos: A truly amazing experience. It’s almos Pserimos: A truly amazing experience. It’s almost like you’re on this exotic, tropical island far, far away. 🏝

The water is absolutely perfect and the beach itself is one you can spend literally hours and hours on. 💙

Who would you sit under the umbrella with? ⛱ 

#fromkalymnoswithlove #pserimos #travelkalymnos #beachchairs #dodecanese #exoticdestinations #whitesand #amazinggreece #kalymnos #beachin #bestvacations #takeusback #hellas #eyeheartgreece #greecetag
One of the priests from Agios Savvas takes off on One of the priests from Agios Savvas takes off on his scooter after a Sunday church service. Just cruisin’ along! 🛵

It’s simply a wonderful experience to attend a service at the most beautiful church on the island. We did it a few times during our visit and we look forward to the next. 🙏🏻

#fromkalymnoswithlove #agiossavvas
Happy #Caturday from this little furry friend! 😺

We found this kitty running its errands in Pothia on a hot afternoon. It stopped for a pose with quite a nice background, so we had to take advantage of it! 😁

#fromkalymnoswithlove #greekcats #streetcatclub #kalymnos #greeceis #kalymnosisland #greekvibes #🇬🇷 #dodecanese #greecepix #weekend
It’s the last weekend of November, and it's been It’s the last weekend of November, and it's been two months since visiting Kalymnos this year. We were lucky enough to go back before everything closed down. 🇬🇷

Thinking back on our little trek down the mountain, on the way to Palionisos to visit the small beach near the Sikati Cave climbing area. 

It was a hot day indeed, but worth the trip. Very clean, crystal clear water down there! 🌊

Happy Friday everyone! 🧡

#fromkalymnoswithlove
These Kalymnian men know how to enjoy their aftern These Kalymnian men know how to enjoy their afternoon in Pothia. This cozy little spot, looking out into the harbor is the perfect place for an afternoon chat.

If only we were here right now 😍 

PS. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating today! 🙏🏼 We hope you're spending the day with people you love.

#fromkalymnoswithlove #summertimes #kalymnos #pothia #friendshipgoals #thanksgiving #greekislandlife #travelkalymnos #greecetravel #greece💙 #piecesofgreece #whygreeceisunique #greekgateway #greektreasure #greekvibes #iconic_greece #greece_perfection #greecetrip #greecelife #thegreekislands #moregreece #colorsofgreece #meet_greece #walk.in.greece
When times are tough, it's important to keep the f When times are tough, it's important to keep the faith and stay together, knowing that things will be better on the other side ⛪ 

#Kalymnos #agiossavvas #bestviews #churchesofgreece #elladamou #fromkalymnoswithlove #feelgreece
Hello November 👋 Kalo mina! 🇬🇷 Oh, how w Hello November 👋 Kalo mina! 🇬🇷

Oh, how we miss Kalymnos and this view. Time will pass, but the memories will never fade.

#hellonovember #kalomina #kalymnos #pothia #fromkalymnoswithlove
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Categories

  • A wedding in Kalymnos (3)
  • Food and drinks (5)
    • Recipes (3)
  • General info (3)
  • Sights and activities (5)

Popular posts the last 30 days

  • Greek wedding traditions

    July 12, 2019
  • 7 foods you must try in Kalymnos

    July 2, 2019
  • Greek Easter traditions in Kalymnos

    April 18, 2020
  • Why Vathy is worth a visit

    August 4, 2019
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email

© 2020 All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Christina Ninnis Alevrofas