Orthodox Easter celebrations resonate across Greece and the world

·

Millions of Orthodox faithful across Greece and the world celebrated Orthodox Easter on Sunday, May 5 this year.

In Jerusalem, the Holy Light – or Holy Fire – was lit in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre earlier on Saturday. As is the custom, it was taken to Greece and greeted at the Athens International Airport as an arriving head of state.

Nine Aegean Airlines planes and seven Sky Express planes then took the Holy Light to various destinations within Greece.

In Athens, the light arrived first, at 9 pm, at the Church of Agioi Anargyroi in Plaka, the seat, or “Metochi” of the Holy Sepulchre in Greece.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended midnight Anastasi service on Tinos island, alongside his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis.

In his Easter message, Mr Mitsotakis said “the Resurrection fills us all with hope, strength and optimism.”

“Tradition dictates that we spend these Holy Easter days together with our loved ones. Our thoughts, however, must be primarily with our weakest fellow citizens, those who more than ever need our support these days, but also to all Greek uniform personnel, those who day and night, and these Holy days, they are fighting so that we all can be safe,” he added.

Elsewhere in Greece, two churches in the town of Vrontados were lit up on Saturday night, as they fired streams of rockets at each other as part of an Orthodox Easter tradition. Throughout the annual “rocket war,” Easter Mass continues inside the churches on the island of Chios.

The spectacle dates back to the 1800s – when Greece was ruled by the Ottoman empire – but now rockets are used instead of cannons. Parts of the local area are boarded up with metal barriers, to try and protect them from fire damage.

In Rome, Pope Francis also extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers gathered in St Peter’s Square, expressing warm wishes for their Easter celebrations.

“May the Risen Lord fill all communities of believers with joy and peace, offering comfort to those undergoing trials. I wish them a blessed Easter,” Pope Francis said.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Sydney Olympic FC members urge Life Members to mobilise ahead of March AGM

Life Members of Sydney Olympic FC have been urged to mobilise ahead of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for 24 March 2026.

150,000 expected as Antipodes Festival returns to transform Melbourne’s CBD

More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the 38th Antipodes Festival on Melbourne’s Lonsdale Street.

Federal Court finds Greek Flash News publisher defamed Archbishop Makarios

The Federal Court has awarded $300,000 in damages to Archbishop Makarios after finding online articles defamatory.

Sydney Comedy Festival launches into its 21st year with strong Greek lineup

The Sydney Comedy Festival officially launched its 2026 program on Thursday night at Darling Quarter Theatre, marking the 21st year of the cultural institution...

Cumberland Cr Steve Christou leads revolt against Indigenous ward renaming motion

Councillor Steve Christou has led the charge against a proposal to investigate renaming Cumberland Council’s wards with Indigenous titles.

You May Also Like

Greek Presidential decree on extension of western territorial waters comes into force

A presidential decree on the extension of western territorial waters came into force through its publication in the government gazette.

George Karagounis plays legends match, teaches youngsters soccer drills in Sydney

Euro 2004 legend, George Karagounis, taught soccer skills to young children before partaking in the ‘Karagounis Legends Game’ at Leichhardt.

Greek and Cypriot Community condemn suspension of Kat Theophanous MP in letter to Premier of Victoria

Greek and Cypriot Communities of Melbourne have sent a letter to the Premier of Victoria to oppose the suspension of Kat Theophanous MP.