Greek Orthodox EasterGreek Orthodox Easter is a unique experience to witness, a very special traditional event. It is an interesting time to be in Greece. Whole families travel through the country to meet their relatives. The church is of importance to many Greeks, religious holidays throughout the year are attended with passion, especially Easter. It seems that the year is split into two parts, the months before and the months after Easter. Days in front people greet each other with "Kalo pasha", "Happy Easter" and after with "Christos anesti" "Christ arose", and the other persons answers "Alithos anesti", "He really arose". 
On the island of Skopelos, the night of Megali Paraskevi (Good Friday), the four main churches of Skopelos town decorated one Epitaphio each, to represent the bier that Jesus was carried on, with most attractive flower arrangements. The design and color of those arrangements are being kept secret by the women who make them until the last hours before the procession.The community that belongs to the church at the higher point of the four starts after it went dark, around 9:00 pm, moving down through the village with the first Epitaphio, collecting the second group at the next church. They continue together singing and holding their candles, proceeding through the streets until the next church, continuing. Nearly all residents paraded through the narrow streets with candles, singing old hymns until they reached the waterfront and then walked back up to the churches again. This impressive event takes several hours and is attended by the youngest as well as students and elderly people, all dressed with care.
2011 - Easter Sunday - April 24th (same as catholic)
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