Greek Easter on Corfu

Get to experience a Greek Easter festival on the island of Corfu, known as the most beautiful Easter celebrations in the whole of Greece. This Ionian island is synonymous with “mythical” images. Nausicaa, daughter of King Alkinos, had saved Odysseus when he was stranded and shipwrecked on the island of the Phaeaks. Corfu is considered the fabled island where the Phaeaks lived. Easter is the most important festival in Greek Orthodox Church and is particularly celebrated on Corfu. Here, as in the whole of Greece, you spend the Holy Week – or “Megali Evdomada” – with fasting, devotion and the expectation of the resurrection of Jesus. Even those who have not fasted since Shrove Monday, banish meat and fish dishes as well as dairy and egg products during this Holy Week. Strict believers even forgo oil, because Holy Week is the time of abstinence. An exception is Palm Sunday – “Kyriaki ton Vaijion” – the end of the 40 days of Lent – “Sarakosti” – and the beginning of the Holy Week. On this day, when Christ entered Jerusalem, the Orthodox Church permits the consumption of fish.