In a quiet chapel on the island of Lesvos, a 29-year-old Greek Coast Guard officer was found hanged, his death shrouded in mystery. While initial reports suggested suicide, the discovery of his shoes and phone 87 kilometers away, coupled with stab wounds and suspicious security footage, has sparked suspicions of foul play. As his grieving family demands answers, authorities delve into a complex investigation, uncovering clues that point to a possible criminal act.
Tag: Holy Week
In his Easter message, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for unity and resilience to overcome Greece’s challenges, urging citizens to embrace Holy Week’s spirit with optimism and confidence for a brighter future.
This feast of feasts is the most significant day in the life of the Church. It is a celebration of the defeat of death, as neither death itself nor the power of the grave could hold our Saviour captive.
Meteora’s sacred cliffs in Thessaly, Greece, are illuminated with a stunning new lighting system for Pascha, enhancing their spiritual and natural beauty. The “Light Everywhere” initiative, featuring Crucifixion and Resurrection displays, transforms Meteora into a radiant beacon of Greek Orthodox Easter.
On Great and Holy Saturday the Orthodox Church commemorates the burial of Christ and His descent into Hades. It is the day between the Crucifixion of our Lord and His glorious Resurrection.
Good Friday, a solemn day for Christians, marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ with mourning, fasting, and reflection. Across Greece, children sing laments, while churches hold the Service of the Unnailing and the Epitaphios procession, chanting the Encomia hymns. The day culminates in spiritual contemplation of Christ’s sacrifice and the hope of resurrection.
On Great and Holy Friday the Orthodox Church commemorates the death of Christ on the Cross. “Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross.” (From the Fifteenth Antiphon of the Matins of Holy Friday)
As Greece observes Holy Week, store hours adjust for Easter traditions. On Holy Thursday, shops stay open until 9:00 PM, while Good Friday sees a half-day schedule starting at 1:00 PM. Holy Saturday limits retail to 3:00 PM, with supermarkets like Lidl open until 9:00 PM. Plan your shopping to celebrate a joyous Kali Anastasi!
In a rare interview during Holy Week, Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens described Donald Trump’s presidency as a “positive development,” urging global leaders to support reform while avoiding war.
President Trump launched Holy Week with a Palm Sunday message, pledging to defend the Christian faith. He and First Lady Melania joined Christians in commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, emphasizing the significance of Holy Week’s events, culminating in Easter.
As Greece enters Holy Week, the Hellenic National Meteorological Service forecasts warm weather with temperatures above seasonal norms. Scattered showers are expected, particularly in western and northern regions, with Holy Tuesday and Good Friday seeing the most rain. Mild conditions and African dust may affect visibility, but sunshine will prevail in many areas.
On Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025, the Orthodox and Catholic Churches celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, marking the start of Holy Week. This joyous occasion allows the rare consumption of fish during the strict fasting of Great Lent, symbolizing blessing and moderation. Traditions, like the Corfu procession and children’s songs, highlight the day’s significance.Palm Sunday 2025: Celebrating Jesus’ Entry and the Tradition of Eating Fish
On the Saturday before Holy Week, the Orthodox Church commemorates a major feast of the year, the miracle of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ when he raised Lazarus from the dead after he had lain in the grave four days.
As Easter approaches, Greece buzzes with the start of the holiday exodus. Ferries from Piraeus to the Cyclades sailed at 70% capacity on Friday, carrying eager travelers to Paros, Naxos, and Santorini. With Holy Week nearing, the Greek Police are rolling out stricter traffic measures nationwide, targeting speeding, drunk driving, and other violations to ensure safe journeys for all during this festive season.
As Easter nears, Greece’s market is buzzing with festive energy. Starting April 10, stores will adopt holiday hours, while the “Easter Basket” initiative, featuring lamb, goat, tsoureki, and chocolate eggs, launched in supermarkets on April 7. With consumers eyeing necessities amid rising costs, retailers hope the season—and early pension payments—will boost sales after a slow start to the year.
The Akathist Hymn is a profound, devotional poem or chant that praises the Holy Mother…
With Easter 2025 falling on April 20, Greek students are gearing up for a two-week break, as schools close from Holy Monday, April 14, to Thomas Sunday, April 27. Kicking off with a final school day on April 11, the festive pause is just the start of a year dotted with holidays, including May Day, Oxi Day, and Christmas, promising plenty of rest for all.
Easter Sunday in Greece for 2025 will fall on April 20, with Holy Week beginning on April 14, following Palm Sunday on April 13. The year also features extended holidays like the Holy Spirit on June 7-9, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15-17, and Christmas from December 25-28.
Greek Easter is the most important religious and cultural celebration in Greece. In 2025, Greek Easter is celebrated on the 20th of April. Here are some of the unique Greek Orthodox Easter traditions and customs.
The countdown to the Orthodox Easter, or Pascha, the most important religious feast of the year, is set to begin on March 3, 2025, when Greece celebrates “Kathara Deftera,” Greek for “Clean Monday.”
The date is the start of the period called Sarakosti, signifying 40 days of Great Lent, leading up to the Greek Orthodox Easter on April, 20.
On the evening of Great and Holy Friday, May 3, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of…
The Akathist Hymn is a profound, devotional poem or chant that praises the Holy Mother…
On the enchanting island of Naxos, a singular Easter tradition takes center stage each year in the village of Polichni. Here, the faithful gather for a moving ceremony – the procession of the Epitaphios, a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ’s body. Unlike elsewhere, this procession culminates in a unique act: its immersion into the Aegean Sea.
On Great and Holy Saturday the Orthodox Church commemorates the burial of Christ and His descent into Hades. It is the day between the Crucifixion of our Lord and His glorious Resurrection.
Watch our short video of how to build your own Epitaphio.
In the Greek Orthodox church, the Epitaphios procession on Great and Holy Friday serves as a powerful reminder of Christ’s burial, inviting believers to contemplate the profound sacrifice and ultimate triumph celebrated in the Easter resurrection.
On Great and Holy Friday the Orthodox Church commemorates the death of Christ on the Cross. “Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross.” (From the Fifteenth Antiphon of the Matins of Holy Friday)
The decision to reschedule the May Day holiday on Easter Tuesday was made in order…
