Celebrating Easter in Plakias: A Celebration of Light, Life, and Local Tradition

In Greece, Easter (Pascha) is the most important holiday of the year, and it’s celebrated in a colorful blend of religious ceremonies, unique traditions, and, of course, incredible food.

The festivities start on Palm Sunday, which kicks off an entire week of preparation and celebration called the “Holy Week” (Megali Evdomada). During the week everyone prepares for the celebrations on the weekend, goes to church services and follows unique traditions, such as baking Koulourakia (butter cookies) and Tsoureki (sweet brioche-like bread) on Holy Tuesday and dyeing eggs red on Holy Thursday to symbolize the blood of Christ and the renewal of life.

Good Friday is the most solemn day. In the evening, the Epitaphios (a flower-decorated bier representing the tomb of Christ) is carried through the streets of the village in a candlelit procession.

On Saturday you’ll feel the atmosphere in Plakias shift from deep, spiritual reflection to joyful anticipation. The highlight of the Orthodox festivities is reached at midnight on Holy Saturday. Crowds gather at the local church, holding Labades – colorfully decorated candles. For children, these are often gifts from their godparents, adorned with everything from toy cars and glitter to animal cutouts.

At the stroke of midnight, all the lights go out. The priest emerges with the "Holy Fire," proclaiming “Christos Anesti!” (Christ is Risen!). The flame is passed from person to person until the entire village is glowing. People respond with “Alithos Anesti!” (Truly He is Risen!).

Then, the Cretan spirit truly wakes up. Outside the church, a massive bonfire called a Founara is lit to burn a life-sized effigy of Judas. Fireworks light up the sky and in true Cretan fashion, you will hear men shooting pistols into the air to celebrate the victory of life over death.

Everyone takes the "Holy Fire" home to bless their houses and the fasting officially ends with a family meal of Mageritsa, a soup with the intestines and organs of the lamb that's grilled on Easter Sunday. After this family meal the youngsters go out to party in the bars and clubs all night long.

Easter Sunday is a day of community and celebration under olive trees. The air in Plakias smells of woodsmoke as the lambs are grilled either in the traditional Cretan way „Antikristo“ or on a spit (Ovelias).

This outdoor celebration reaches its peak at around 14:00 when the meat is ready. Although the dinner of the evening takes part in a closed family ring, the Sunday celebration is open to all and people have a habit of visiting each other's party for a drink and a bite.

Another wonderful tradition during the feast is Tsougrisma, the famous red egg game! Everyone picks an egg and taps it against another's. If your egg stays uncracked, you're said to have good luck for the year.

Whether you’re religious or not, Easter in Plakias is something you need to experience at least once! Beyond the religious significance, Easter also marks the start of the season. Just as spring makes the Cretan mountains bloom again, Plakias begins to wake up from its hibernation; the stores and restaurants that were closed over the winter one by one slowly open their doors again for the visitors of the new season.

This year, Easter Sunday falls on the 12^th of April. If you happen to be on Crete over Easter, we invite you to celebrate with us! Saturday night we go to church together and on Easter Sunday we hold a delicious Easter Sunday feast. It's more than a meal, it's a party with the whole crew!

But don't let the celebrations stop at the shoreline! Since the weather is warming up and the spirits are high, why not see the island from below? We're diving every single day, except for Sundays. Book your next dives today and let's make a splash this Pascha!