Photos and video from the ΄First Sunday΄ procession
St. Spyridon
04 Nov 2018
/ 10:37
CORFU. The ΄First Sunday΄ is a centuries-old religious tradition in Corfu which attained additional significance in the post-war period.
The religious ceremonies began early on Sunday morning with a service in the Church of St. Spyridon, followed by the procession with the Holy Relics accompanied by priests, philharmonic bands and school pupils.
The procession was established by the Venetian Administration on 29 October, 1673, " For the miraculous expelling of the plague from the island by the patron saint St. Spyridon." It takes place on the first Sunday of November every year in commemoration of the miracle attributed to the Saint by the Church and people.
According to tradition, the Patron Saint of Corfu St. Spyridon saved the island from the plague, which had hit hundreds of families. Religious sources say that the plague ended suddenly in the last few days of October, 1673. According to eye witnesses at the time - at the top of the Church of St. Spyridon bell tower for 3 nights - the Saint could be seen in a steady otherworldly light with a cross in his hand fighting what seemed like a black ghost, which was trying to escape.
See more photos here.
