First Resurrection celebrations unfolded across Greece on Holy Saturday, with worshippers reviving local customs in several regions hours before the Easter vigil.
In Corfu, the first sounds of the First Resurrection were heard at Panagia Faneromeni, also known as the Church of the Foreigners, in the island’s historic centre. The service began shortly after 6am, as it does every year, with chandeliers and pews shaking, while the pot-throwing custom was due to follow at 11am.
In Zakynthos, the “Gloria” tradition was also marked at the Metropolitan Church, where the earthquake of the New Testament is re-enacted.
Young people struck metal objects, old tanks, barrels and tin containers, keeping the custom alive in adapted form. In the past, they used to strike church pews and clay objects to re-enact the earthquake and the Resurrection of Christ.
In Chios, Holy Saturday morning also brought a solemn atmosphere to the Panagia Evangelistria church, where the First Resurrection was marked by the “flying priest”, who each year throws bay leaves in his trademark style.
In Naxos, the First Resurrection was celebrated with strong symbolism and ceremony at the island’s metropolitan church, marking the prelude to the Orthodox Church’s biggest feast.
At the sound of “Arise, O God, judge the earth; for to Thee belong all the nations”, the church shook as worshippers struck and moved the pews, creating a strong rhythmic sound reflecting the symbolism of the moment.
At the same time, the chandeliers moved in rhythm, re-enacting the earthquake that, according to tradition, accompanied the Resurrection of Christ.
Later on Holy Saturday, the Holy Light was expected to arrive in Greece after the Ceremony of the Holy Light at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which was due to take place under strict restrictions.
The Holy Light was expected to arrive in the afternoon at Athens International Airport and then be distributed across the country. A special mission was due to depart by plane from Greece to Tel Aviv, with the crew remaining at Ben Gurion Airport while the delegation travelled by road to Jerusalem to receive the Holy Light.
The procession was due to move from the Patriarchate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre through an internal route, with police present to control access.
Yiannis Loverdos said the arrangements had been made for the transfer to go ahead as normal, as in previous years, and that Israeli authorities had been informed that the plane would depart at 7am on Holy Saturday from the air base at Elefsina.