Easter in Lefkas

We arrived in Lefkas a couple of days before the Easter celebrations, the coach from Athens was full of excited relatives going home for what is the most important holiday in the year.   The town had a festive atmosphere with street decorations, shop windows filled with painted eggs and candles, plus a variety of special Easter breads decorated with bright red eggs.  Apparently the red eggs are a symbol of Christ's blood.

   

Local children were dressed in new clothes and many were riding new bicycles.   It's a custom to exchange candles with friends, some are plain, others highly decorated with flowers and ribbons or even little toys.  We might have felt quite left out of this family-like atmosphere but luckily Tor, Ben and family arrived just in time to help us celebrate.

Religious ceremonies start the week preceeding Easter but the most important ceremony is held on the Saturday night culminating at midnight with church bells tolling and candles being lit.  The flame is supposed to come from the church altar and gradually spreads amongst the crowd - you then return home with the lit candle which ensures protection for the next year.  Our flames didn't quite make it back to the boat!  We had heard that there would be fireworks, unfortunately the only sign of this celebration were very loud bangers which were let off in the town square.  They created a haze of dark pink smoke, and as a contrast to all the religious rites, these were supposed to 'ward off the grim reaper'!

Families traditionally spit roast a whole lamb on Easter Sunday - it's very much the day that everyone spends together.  

Easter Sunday
Gully in the campervan made short work of his 'proper' chocolate Easter Eggs much preferring them to the traditional Greek ones.........

Thanks to Ben Sheppard for the great photos...............