Easter is undoubtedly one of the biggest celebrations in Greece. Every town, village and island has its own special and unique customs and traditions that keep alive the traditions of our people. In Paros, as in many other regions of Greece, Easter traditions are intense and colourful. In each of its villages there is something different. Each one celebrates separately with its own customs and festivals.
On Easter Sunday, however, two areas stand out for their festivities. These are Naoussa and Marpissa.
Surely in whichever corner of Paros you find yourself you will experience the Easter celebrations to your heart’s content but in Naoussa the celebrations start early. There in the old harbour where all the restaurants and tavernas set tables from end to end and the soums and wines flow abundantly. Meze, meat and lamb are put on the fire early and simmered until noon.
Naoussa Paros
In the port of Naoussa the Easter party has a lot of dancing and singing, with people rocking until they drop and end up singing even on the rooftops of buildings. Parisians and visitors alike become one and party until late into the night. At the same time, visitors to Naoussa have the opportunity to experience the Second Resurrection, with the sounds of bubbles during the procession of the icon of the Virgin Mary.
The traditions and customs that take place are similar to those in other parts of Paros, but with some minor differences. In Naoussa, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when the faithful bring branches from olive trees to the church to be sanctified. On Maundy Thursday, locals attend the Twelve Gospels Service in the church, while on Good Friday, the procession of the epitaph takes place in the streets of the city, with locals following with lanterns and candles.
On Lazarus Saturday, locals make the Lazarus bun. On Easter Sunday, locals celebrate the Resurrection with dances and songs in the town’s central square, while traditional games are also played, such as the egg race, where two people beat their eggs against each other and the winner is the one who is left with their egg intact.
On Easter Monday, the locals of Naoussa carry out a special custom known as “Kouloura of Koris”. The young girls of the city walk through the streets of the city in a uniform consisting of an open shirt and a skirt, while wearing a wreath of flowers on their heads. They also carry with them a plaque with a number, which corresponds to a number located on a tiled street in the town square.The men of the town and the visitors of Naoussa have to buy a projection (a kind of cardboard coin) and give it to the girl with the corresponding number. The girl gives the corresponding person a pretzel and a bone. At the end of it, the town ends up in the square, where all the girls and men who participated in the game meet. Then the draw is made, and the winners receive various prizes, such as bottles of wine or olive oil.
Marpissa of Paros
Marpissa is a small village on the south side of Paros and Easter is a very important holiday for the local people. The biggest feast, known as the “Table of Love” is set up there. Traditional orchestras with local musicians play and sing from early morning in the village square. While the villagers bring out their spits in the courtyards and treat people to roasts, snacks and drinks. The atmosphere is filled with feelings of giving, love and solidarity.
One of the most important events is the Resurrection of Christ in the historic Church of Agia Marina in the centre of the village.
On Lazarus Saturday, locals decorate their homes with flowers and olive branches to welcome Jesus , gather at the church to participate in Vespers and watch the church procession of the Epitaph.
That same evening, on Palm Sunday, the faithful bring olive branches to the church to be sanctified and make the Lazarus bun, a traditional sweet usually including birch, raisins, cinnamon and cloves, and distribute it to all the villagers.
On Easter Sunday, the residents of Marpissa gather at the church to attend the High Priest’s Divine Liturgy. After the mass, the children throw their baskets with red eggs in the air and then the parade of the traditional dance troupes of the area begins. Afterwards, residents gather in the village square to exchange greetings and enjoy traditional Easter delicacies such as lamb on a spit, goat, rooster and corn.
In addition, Paros has a special tradition of the Resurrection, the “pure Monday”. On Clean Monday, the islanders gather seafood and cook it on the beaches, having fun and celebrating the arrival of spring.
Apart from the religious events, the inhabitants of Marpissa also organize traditional dances and feasts, as well as many tours of the traditional villages of Paros, visiting the beaches and sights of the island.
Easter in Marpissa is an opportunity for residents to renew their traditions and celebrate with friends and neighbours. The generosity and warm welcome of the people of Marpissa make this celebration an unforgettable experience for those visiting the area during Easter.
Representations of the Passion of Jesus
In Marpissa, as in many other regions of Greece, there is the custom of re-enacting the Passion of Jesus during Holy Week and especially on Holy Friday.
In Marpissa, the re-enactment of the Passion of Jesus takes place on Saint Friday in the afternoon, when the locals cross the village loaded with their traditional tools such as hammers, iron hammer, ropes and brooms, creating a corridor that symbolizes the road Jesus crossed with his cross. At the end of the road, there is an image of Jesus hanging on a cross-staff and the locals surround the image with their tools, striking them against the cross and singing psalms and religious songs.This custom continues for many hours and ends with the consumption of traditional Easter dishes by the locals.
If you are in Maripisa during the Easter season, you will have the opportunity to enjoy these traditions and have an unforgettable experience. Don’t forget to try the traditional dishes of the region, such as cooked lamb, bun, red eggs and kokoretsi.
All in all, Paros is a place with rich traditions and a strong community spirit during Easter. Its inhabitants treat this festive season as an opportunity to connect and renew themselves, while respecting the traditions and customs of their island.
