The Rest of the Easter In Crete

Today I will post photos from Easter's Eve, when it is proclaimed that Christ has arisen. I have partaken in this ritual many times in my 22 years here in Greece, but this time was a surprise for me. I should have had a clue when, on my way back from Kalyves on Sat, with Katina, we passed thru the small village of Neo Horio, and in the middle of the 3 road cross roads, there was a huge stack of wood which looked very much like the makings of a bonfire. I didn't ask Katina about it, as we were in the middle ofa conversation about our respective children and their lives. Later that night, Ihad a huge surprise when I learned what the wood pile was for.

This beautiful young woman is the Granddaughter of our friends, Katina and Panyotis, who own and run "The Eagles Nest" along with their family. She is holding her little niece.

In the photo to the right, is Katina, smiling her wonderful smile. It is not an exaggeration to tell you that that smile, and her cooking are literally world famous.

Now we come to the surprise...the Pappas walked thru the church courtyard and down the steps...I couldn't see what was there. Suddenly there was a "whoosh!" and flames leaped into the air. I was astounded! Vasili explained that in small villages the people would burn Judas in effigy. So! That is what that huge pile of wood was doing in the middle of the village in Neo Horio! It was quite a sight. Most of us ran into the church, as hot ashes were raining down on us. What an experience!

Next came the ringing of the church bell.

Experience Cretan Easter with Me

Friday afternoon, and time to decorate the "Epitaphio", the symbolic casket of Christ. Here are photos and they will speak for themselves. It was such a lovely atmosphere in the church, all of the women and children working together is this quaint little church. I felt so privileged to be included in their preparations.

Join Me on my Easter Trip to Crete!

We departed from our house Thursday afternoon, Vasili going to wait in line to be first on the ship; (it's a Greek thing!), and me going off to look for a good book to read on the trip down.

The ship, "Elyros", Anek Lines, leaves from the Port of Piraeus at 9P.M. and arrived at Chania, Crete at Souda Bay at 5A.M. the next morning.

Here is a shot of me on the small boat taking us from Port of Salamina to Port of Perema, where we will take a taxi to Piraeus.

Shots at the Port of Piraeus...everyone who is able to, will be leaving from the city to go to their home village or island for the Easter Holiday. It is MASS confusion at the Port!

Crowds waiting for their ship.

Ferry Boat to Crete; "KPHTI" (Kriti)

Here is our ship, the Elyros;

After an uncomfortable and exhausting overnight trip, we arrived in Chania, at the port of Souda at 5 A.M. on Friday, (Megali Paraskevi), and sat and had some coffee to kill time and try to wake up before we made our way via Taxi to the top of the mountain and the small traditional village of Samonas.

Here are the first view of the "Lefka Ori", or, "White Mountains".

Megali Paraskevi is the night of the procession of the Epitaphio, which is the symbolic casket of Christ. In small villages, such as Samonas, the local women and children all join together with armfuls of flowers and rosemary and jasmine to decorate the Epitaphio, then, in the evening, after being blessed by the priest, it is carried throughout the village, stopping at each crossroad to recite the liturgy.

I was lucky enough to be included in not only the procession, but in the decorating of the Epitaphio. Come back tomorrow and I will show you those photos. Bye for now!

"Electra!" in Copper

"Electra!"

In Greek mythology, Electra (Greek: Ἠλέκτρα, Ēlektra) was an Argive princess and daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra. She and her brother Orestes plotted revenge against their mother Clytemnestra and stepfather Aegisthus for the murder of their father, Agamemnon. Electra is the main character in the Greek tragedies Electra by Sophocles and Electra by Euripides and has inspired various other works.

This is Electra, Daughter of Agamemnon and a Princess of Argive.

This is the grave mask of Agamemnon, the King of Argive. You can view it in the Archaeological Museum of Athens.

The "Electra" Necklace


I created this necklace, utilizing an ancient Greek motif, in graduated links, and paired the cool, hard, silver with the warm, softness of a Dove Grey Greek Suede cord. I imagined that the Princess Electra herself may have worn such a necklace. You can find it in my Etsy Shop.

Kalo Taxidi!

Which means; "Good Travel!" and is very appropriate, because I am writing this just 3 hours before we catch a taxi to our port, then the Karavaki, (small boat), to Piraeus, where we will board the huge Anek Ferry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z83wszXGVp0 will take us on an overnight trip to Kriti! (Crete!)

Port at Hania

The ship doesn't leave till 9pm, but if you knew Vasili, you would know this is "de regular" for him. This time we will be going without Haroula (our car) so things will be much less chaotic, although I have heard that as early as last week, there was not one ticket by ship or plane available to Crete...so it will probably be pandemonium inside the ship. Wish I had an IPOD! Maybe I will just take earplugs.

Anek Ferry Boat to Crete

Here are some sights and sounds from Crete that I hope will interest and delight you! I will be gone till next Wed, when I will be back, (hopefully) with loads of great photos from a Springtime Crete! Happy Easter to you All!

Three Muses at Knossos Knossos Palace

Knossos

Kritikos!

""Xronia Polla! Kalo Pascha! Christos Anesti"!

That is the greeting which Greeks give to one another at Easter, it means; "Many Years! Good Easter! Christ has Arisen!"

The Easter Service begins on Saturday night at 11:00.

Here on Salamina, we walk to the small area church with our Labadas (Easter Candles). Our Labadas are simple, plain white thin tapers, but they can get very elaborate, decorated with flowers and even with small toys attached! (they can get VERY pricey, too!)

Our area church is quite small, as most village churches are, and most of the people wait outside, listening to the liturgy on a loud speaker, but mostly chatting and visiting with friends and neighbors they may not have seen since last Easter. At the stroke of midnight, the Pappas joyfully announces; "Christos Anesti!" ("Christ Has Arisen!"). He then begins to light the candles of those close to him, his flame having originated from the Mother Church in Sofia, Turkey, and in turn people light the candles of those close to them and so on thru the crowd. Custom dictates that you cheek kiss and proclaim "Christos Anesti" and you are answered; "Alithos Anesti" ("Truly he has Arisen!").

It is beautiful and very moving to be a participant in this lovely custom. Families then carry the flame back to their home, where the head of the house makes a sign of the cross on the door lintels of the home.

A funny post script to this custom; Vasili and I painted our house a few years back, and the long row of black smoke crosses were erased by the paint. In the coming year, a series of unfortunate things occurred...and on the next Easter, I barely held back my giggles as I watched Vasili put not one, but 3 crosses above each door. Guess he was taking no chances