Easter in Cyclades Islands

KITHNOS

The most striking of the island's customs is that of the Kounia (swing). On Easter Sunday, a swing is set up in the town's main square in which boys and girls in traditional costume take a swing. To push someone on the swing on this occasion is a commitment to marriage before God and men.
On the evening of Holy Saturday, a custom is observed by those who have relatives that have recently died and which consists in bringing roast meat, wine and bread to the church. After these have been blessed by the priest, they are distributed among visitors and residents of the island.
MUNICIPALITY : tel. : 22810 31277.

SYROS

Syros has its own special way of celebrating Easter. The two religious communities, the Orthodox and the Catholic, celebrate together in a spirit of love, devoutness and mutual respect.
The ceremonies begin simultaneously at the Catholic Cathedral of Saint George in Upper Syros (Ano Syra) as well as at the Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration, each with its own magnificence and splendour.
MUNICIPALITY : tel.: 22810 82400

PAROS

The procession of the epitaphios at Marpissa presents, indeed, an interesting particularity in that the procession stops 15 times. At each stop a part of the mountain is lit up and there, children dressed as Roman soldiers or disciples of Christ reenact scenes from the entry into Jerusalem, the prayer of the Mount of Olives, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. At midnight on Holy Saturday, the island is filled with the lights and noise of countless fireworks.
MUNICIPALITY : tel.: 22840 21222

FOLEGANDROS

Easter is the occasion on Folegandros for the local people to whitewash their houses. The custom includes a procession of the icon of the Dormition of the Virgin which lasts three days. The icon, accompanied by a procession of faithful, enters every house on the island, even the most isolated.
MUNICIPALITY : tel.: 22860 41416.