It was good friday yesterday according to the Julian calander (which is what the Greek Orthodox people follow). My mom and I went to a small village called Elounta for dinner and then we walked around the center near the water. We went into a church and lit 3 bees wax candles for my deceased grandparents and deceased uncle... it was meaningful and special.
Just outside the church was a procession of about 200 people ready to make their way around the village and back to the church.
The front had a man carrying a wooden cross and he was surrounded with alter boys (I'm a baptised Greek Orthodox, so some of this was very familiar to me. Such as the alter boys and priests wardrobes and the singing/chanting that the priest did as we walked through the village). After the cross was the priest and a flowered chapel was propped up on the shoulders of 4 men (one at each corner) this chapel followed the priest. We'd walk about 40 seconds and then stopped and the priest would sing and then we'd walk again and stop again. The whole time the church bells were sounding out and locals were setting off fire crackers and fire works and periodically clanging pieces of metal that sounded like the church bells.
All store and restaurant owners along with their patrons came to the streets to watch the procession pass by. The all stood with their hands clasped in front of them and periodically crossing themselves in the Greek Orthodox manner... 3 times in a row.
I feel lucky to be here for their Easter. Tonight we are going to another town for more celebrations... soon it is the rising of Christ and that means a big party is coming to town! How exciting!
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