Corfu Easter: Thousands at the First Resurrection and the ‘botides’ pot throwing
CORFU. Visitors were captivated by the celebrated Easter Saturday events.
Events begin at 6 in the morning with the recreation of the earthquake following Christ’s Resurrection at the Church of Virgin Mary ton Xenon in Plakada (Saint Spyridon square).
Litany of Saint Spyridon’s Holy Relics
Saint Spyridon has a special place in the heart of the Corfiots. Dating back to the mid-16th century, this is the oldest and most awe-inspiring litany. It commemorates the incident when the Saint saved his people from starvation, by redirecting ships loaded with wheat to Corfu after his apparition appeared to the captain.
The famous Amleto
The long procession moves to the funereal tunes of the three philharmonic bands. The ‘Old’ Band play the funeral march from Faccio’s Opera ‘Amleto’, the ‘Blue’ band play de Michelis’ funeral march ‘Calde Lacrimae’ (Burning tears) and the Capodistrias Band play from Beethoven’s funeral march from the Eroica Symphony. Following the Litany, the Saint’s holy relics lie in repose outside the door of the crypt in Saint Spyridon Church until Easter Tuesday.
This is an old tradition which probably has its roots in Constantinople from when the Saint’s relics were still there. Under Venetian rule the days that the ‘Saint was at the entrance’ were considered to be days of asylum and shelter.
The clay pots (botides)
Following the procession, Vespers for the Resurrection are held at the Metropolitan Church and when the church bells ring out clay pots or ‘botides’ are thrown from town balconies. The roots of this custom of the First Resurrection and the ‘botides’ go back a long time – perhaps the loud noise from the breaking of the pots symbolizes the triumph of life over death.
Photo: Stamatis Katapodis
In Corfu it is claimed that the tradition has Christian roots from the saying in the Bible, “thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel”.
The three philharmonic bands then start playing and the sound of the triumphal march ‘The Graiki’ (Old name for Hellenes) can be heard throughout the Old Town.
Mastella
This is another old custom where a great half barrel is placed in the heart of the town in Pinia, filled with water and decorated with myrtle and palm leaves. Passers-by throw coins in it and make a wish. When the church bells ring at 11 a.m. the person standing closest to the barrel is pushed into it. As compensation for getting soaked to the bone on a day like this, he gets all the money in the barrel. (Organized by Corfu Events Organization)See more photos here.
