Easter, the most important Greek Orthodox religious feast is celebrated with great solemnity. Evening services (mass) take place throughout the Holy Week.

Easter Thursday evening– the Liturgy of the Passion is chanted, a liturgy that lasts many hours in which there is a re-enactment of the Crucifixion of Christ and during which the twelve gospels are read out.

Good Friday evening-the encomiums of the dead Christ are chanted and around 20.30 the Epitaphios (Sepulchre) is taken in procession through the streets of the towns and villages, while the bells are rung in mourning.

Easter Saturday night towards midnight, Christ’s Resurrection is celebrated out in the open. Church bells ring joyously again and the children, after having collected wood during the whole of the Holy Week and light the so-called Lambradjia (great fire) to burn the figure of Judas.

Easter Sunday & Monday- Traditional games are organised during the afternoon in towns and villages:

Lefkosia District: Kakopetria, Moutoulas, Pedoulas, Kalopanayiotis, Kourdali,Spilia , Askas. Lemesos District: Agios Tychonas, Germasogeia, Arsos, Kyperounta, Lania, Sykopetra, Kellaki, Pissouri, Episkopi, Anogyra and Agros villages.

Larnaka District: Pervolia, Kiti, Aradippou.

Pafos District: Pafos town, Geroskipou, Tala, Kathikas, Tsada, Kissonerga, Stroumbi and Neo Chorio villages. Ammochostos (Famagusta) District: Agia Napa, Frenaros, Paralimni, Deryneia and Dasaki tis Achnas villages. For further information: www.heartlandoflegends.com