Easter events in Corfu Town and Central Corfu villages
Corfu Easter
16 Apr 2022
/ 11:11
CORFU. Programme of religious events in the Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands Municipality.
CORFU TOWN
Lazarus Saturday (16/4)
11:30 Choirs set off from Ag. Nikolaos church and Ag. Lazarou church singing ‘Lazarus Carols’.
12:30 ‘Lazarus Carols’ at the Old Town Hall.
20:30 Corfu Philharmonic Society will give a concert at the Municipal Theatre.
Palm Sunday (17/4)
11:00 Litany with the Sacred Relics of Agios Spyridon. On Palm Sunday after the service at Ag. Spyridon church there follows the biggest procession with the Sacred Relics, led by Archbishop Nektarios of Corfu, Paxos and Diapontia Islands.
20:30 Corfu Choir concert with ecclesiastical music at the Old Palace Colonnade.
21:00 Concert with ‘Capodistrias’ Philharmonic Society at the Church of St. George in the Old Fortress.
Holy Monday (18/4)
21:00 ‘Mantzaros’ Philharmonic Society concert at the Municipal Theatre.
21:00 Kinopiastes Philharmonic Society concert with ecclesiastical music at the Catholic Cathedral (Duomo).
Holy Tuesday (19/4)
20:30 Dimodokos Choir and Brass Ensemble concert with ecclesiastical music at Church of St. George, Old Fortress..
21:30 Poetry and Musical Evening organized by the Corfu Events Organization in the colonnade of the Old Palace.
Holy Wednesday (20/4)
19:00 Metropolitan Church 'Agios Arsenios' Ecclesiastical Music Choir led by Archbishop Nektarios at All Saints church.
20:30: Concert with ecclesiastical music at the Municipal Theatre. Corfu 'San Giacomo' Municipal Choir.
Holy Thursday (21/4)
20:00 Foot-washing ceremony at Catholic Cathedral (Duomo) with Archbishop Giorgios Altouvas symbolically washing the feet of twelve children.
Good Friday (22/4)
All of the churches in town organize the Epitaphios procession in a particular order with musical groups, choirs, schools, scouts and others. The church choirs, especially that of the Metropolitan Church, as well as the Municipal Choir solemnly chant the Eulogies whilst the philharmonic (brass) bands play classical works such as Albinoni’s Adagio from the ‘Old’ Corfu Philharmonic Society, Verdi’s Marcia Funebre from ‘Mantzaros’ Philharmonic Society (Blue) along with Mariani’s funereal elegy Sventura and Chopin’s Funeral March from the ‘Capodistrias’ Philharmonic Society.
Epitaphios Processions
12:30 Church of St. Irene (General Hospital) and Church of St. Artemis (Police Headquarters – Old Hospital)
14:00 Church of Pantocrator (Old Town-Cambiello) / Church of Spilaiotissis (New Fortress): Corfu Naval Station
15:45 Church of Saint Nicholas of the Baths (St. Nicholas Gate): DOPAP & Corfu Scouts
16:00 Church of Saint George (Old Fortress): Corfu Events Organization
16:30 Church of Saint Panteleimon (Psychiatric Hospital)
17:00 St. Efymias Monastery (Mon Repos)
17:30 Church of Holy Virgin Mary Kassopitra in Figareto / Church of the Assumption in Analipsi / Church of Saint George in Mantouki
18:00 Church of All Saints (Agion Panton) (Town) / Church of the Resurrection in the 1st Municipal Cemetery in Garitsa / St. Theodoros Monastery (Stratia)
18:30 Church of Saint Sophia in the Jewish quarter / Church of Saint Paraskevi (Porta Remounda)
19:00 Church of Saint Anthony (Spilia) / Holy Trinity Church (Garitsa) / Church of Saint Constantine and Helen (Koulines) / Church of the Dormition of Holy Mary belonging to the Mamalos family (Koyevina Hill) / Church of Saint Iasonas and Sosipatros (Garitsa)
19:15 Vlacherno Church (Garitsa)
19:30 Church of Saint Spyridon (San Rocco Square-Kotsela) / Church of the Three Holy Martyrs (Garitsa) / Church of Holy Virgin Mary Faneromeni (St. Spyridon Sq. - 'Plakada')
20:00 Church of Saint Vasilios (Pinia) / Church of Saint Ioannis Lazos (Kefalomantouko) / Church of Saint Barbara (Potamos) / Church of Saint Nikolaos (Alikes) / All Saints Church (Gouvia)
20:15 Church of Saint Nikolaos (Cambiello)
20:30 Church of Saint Ioannis (Piazza)
20:45 Church of Saint Jacob & Christopher in Old Town Hall Square (Catholic Cathedral)
21:00 Church of Saint Spyridon – Epitaphios Procession in the church accompanied by Corfu Philharmonic Society
22:00 Metropolitan Church Spilaiotissis (Spilia)
Easter Saturday (23/4)
06:00 Reenactment of earthquake following Christ's resurrection at Panagia Xenon Church in St. Spyridon Square (Plakada).
09:00 Church of Saint Spyridon. Epitaphios procession combined with procession of the Saint’s holy relics. The three Corfu Town Philharmonic Bands will take part. The ‘Old’ Band play the funeral march from Faccio’s Opera ‘Amleto’, the ‘Blue’ band play de Michelis’ funeral march ‘Calde Lacrimae’ (Hot tears) and the Capodistrias Band play from Beethoven’s funeral march from the Eroica Symphony.
11.00 The first Resurrection followed by throwing of clay pots ("botides").
11:01 Another old custom of Corfu Town residents is the “mastella”, a great half barrel placed at the heart of the town, Pinia. The barrel is 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)
21:00 Easter Vigil Devotional at the Catholic Cathedral (Duomo) with ecclesiastical music and choir and officiated by the Catholic Archbishop Ioannis Spiteris. The ceremony ends at 23:00
22:00 Reception of the Holy Fire from the Holy Sepulchre. This takes place at the Pentofanaro (Liston) in the presence of local dignitaries. The Holy Fire is taken to the Church of Saint Paraskevi where the Devotional for the Resurrection begins, led by the Archbishop Nektarios of Corfu. Recently the ceremony has been established for the reception of the Holy Fire by the Catholic Archbishop from the Orthodox Archbishop during the procession to the Church of Saint Paraskevi in Porta Remounda.
23:00 Commencement of the Devotional Vigil for the Resurrection at the Church of Saint Paraskevi, near the Upper Square.
23:40 The procession sets out from the Church of Saint Paraskevi towards the stage in the Upper Square led by the Archbishop of Corfu Nektarios. The Resurrection is celebrated there and ‘Christos Anesti’ (Christ is Risen) is chanted and the three Philharmonic Bands play in a spectacular atmosphere. There are Resurrection services in the following churches: St. Spyridon, All Saints, Virgin Mary ton Xenon, Saint Iasonas and Sosipatros, Three Holy Martyrs, Dormition of Holy Mary belonging to the Mamalos family, Saint Constantine and Helen (Koulines), All Saints (Gouvia) and the following monasteries: Platyteras, Saint Efthimia, Kassopitras (Kanoni) and Saint Theodoros (Stratia).
Easter Sunday (24/4)
09:00 – 11:00 Most churches in Corfu hold the Holy Resurrection Liturgy based on the old tradition. There is also a litany with an icon of the Lord’s Resurrection according to Byzantine tradition as is also done in the Aegean Islands and in the Slav Orthodox countries.
Processions with the Resurrection Icon in Corfu Town
07.30 - Church of Saint Sophia in the Jewish quarter
07.45 - Metropolitan Church Spilaiotissis (Spilia) / Church of All Saints (Agion Panton).
08.15 - Church of Saint Spyridon (San Rocco Square-Kotsela)
08.30 - Church of the Assumption in Analipsi (Kanoni) / Saint Eleftherios (kofinetta) / St. George in Mantouki / Church of Virgin Mary ton Xenon (strangers) in Plakada (Saint Spyridon square) / Church of Holy Virgin Mary Vlahernon (Garitsa)
08.45 - Church of Saint Vasilios in Pinia / St. Paraskevi (Porta Remounda)
09.00 - Church of Saint Antonios in Spilia / Panagia ton Xenon / St. Ioannis in Piazza / Church of Saint Nikolaos (Cambiello)
10.00 - Church of Saint Spiridon in Plakada with the 'Old' Corfu Philharmonic Band playing Wagner’s ‘Tannhäuser’ and ‘Mantzaros’ Philharmonic Band playing Kritkos’ ‘Marcia Trionfale’’
18.00 - Church of Holy Trinity in Garitsa.
19:30 Evensong of Love at the Metropolitan Church with the Archbishop of Corfu Nektarios reading the Gospels in all languages.
Easter Tuesday (26/4)
18:00 At the Church of Saint Spyridon the holy relics of Saint Spiridon are ceremoniously placed back into the crypt in the presence of local dignitaries and with the two oldest Corfu Philharmonic Bands.
EASTER IN THE VILLAGES
Parelia District
- Epitaphios Procession in Sinarades with Sinarades Philharmonic Band.
- Easter Monday procession with Sinarades Philharmonic Band setting off from Agios Nikolaos Church (central church).
- Easter Monday processions in villages of Vatos, Yiannades, Kokkini and Pelekas followed by church services. In the evening there are traditional local fairs (paniyiri) in Vatos and Pelekas.
- St. Thomas Sunday procession in Marmaro.
Achillion District
- On Lazarus Saturday from 17:00 next to the Panayia Church in Kinopiastes ladies of the parish make 'Vayia' (palm leaves) whilst singing.
- On Good Friday in Varipatades there is the tradition of 'bobolon' in which hundreds of snail shells are filled with oil and cotton wool. These are placed and lit along the route of the Epitaphios.
- On Good Friday the Epitaphios processions in Kinopiastes, Chrysida and Garitsa are accompanied by the local philharmonic bands.
- On Easter Monday the procession in Benitses is accompanied by the parish philharmonic band and the procession in Viros ends with a small boat on Mouse Island.
- St. Thomas Sunday processions in Kinopiastes, Gastouris and Agioi Deka.
Phaeces District
- Good Friday Epitaphios Procession in Poulades accompanied by Korakiana Philharmonic Band. Epitaphios Procession in Ano Korakiana accompanied by philharmonic band and choir.
- On Easter Monday there is one of the oldest processions in Corfu in Ano Korakiana accompanied by a philharmonic band. There is also a procession in Gazatika accompanied by a philharmonic band.
- On Easter Tuesday there is a procession in Agios Markos accompanied by Korakiana Philharmonic Band.
- There are also processions on the following Friday (Zoodohou Pigis) in Kato Korakiana and on St. ThomasSunday in Sokraki.
Paleokastritsa District
- The Good Friday Epitaphios Procession sets off from Paleokastritsa Monastery in the morning and ends at Alypa harbour, accompanied by Liapades and Lakones Philharmonic Bands and the 'Lakonites' Choir.
- In the evening on Good Friday Lakones Philharmonic Band and 'Lakonites' Choir accompany the Epitaphios Procession from the Church of Agios Nikolaos to the village of Lakones.
- In Liapades the Epitaphios Procession sets off from Agia Anastasia Church and is accompanied by the local philharmonic band and choir.
- In Skripero the Epitaphios Procession is accompanied by Skripero Philharmonic Band.
- On Easter Monday there is a big procession in Doukades. There are also processions in Skripero, accompanied by Skripero Philharmonic Band, and in Makrades, accompanied by Lakones Philharmonic Band and followed by a traditional local fair (paniyiri).
- On the following Friday there is a paniyiri at Theotokou Monastery in Paleokastritsa with Cultural Society and Lakones Church choir.
- On St. Thomas Sunday there is a procession in Krini accompanied by a philharmonic band and choir and followed by a paniyiri in the village square with the 'Krini' dance group.
Lazarus Saturday (16/4)
11:30 Choirs set off from Ag. Nikolaos church and Ag. Lazarou church singing ‘Lazarus Carols’.
12:30 ‘Lazarus Carols’ at the Old Town Hall.
20:30 Corfu Philharmonic Society will give a concert at the Municipal Theatre.
Palm Sunday (17/4)
11:00 Litany with the Sacred Relics of Agios Spyridon. On Palm Sunday after the service at Ag. Spyridon church there follows the biggest procession with the Sacred Relics, led by Archbishop Nektarios of Corfu, Paxos and Diapontia Islands.
20:30 Corfu Choir concert with ecclesiastical music at the Old Palace Colonnade.
21:00 Concert with ‘Capodistrias’ Philharmonic Society at the Church of St. George in the Old Fortress.
Holy Monday (18/4)
21:00 ‘Mantzaros’ Philharmonic Society concert at the Municipal Theatre.
21:00 Kinopiastes Philharmonic Society concert with ecclesiastical music at the Catholic Cathedral (Duomo).
Holy Tuesday (19/4)
20:30 Dimodokos Choir and Brass Ensemble concert with ecclesiastical music at Church of St. George, Old Fortress..
21:30 Poetry and Musical Evening organized by the Corfu Events Organization in the colonnade of the Old Palace.
Holy Wednesday (20/4)
19:00 Metropolitan Church 'Agios Arsenios' Ecclesiastical Music Choir led by Archbishop Nektarios at All Saints church.
20:30: Concert with ecclesiastical music at the Municipal Theatre. Corfu 'San Giacomo' Municipal Choir.
Holy Thursday (21/4)
20:00 Foot-washing ceremony at Catholic Cathedral (Duomo) with Archbishop Giorgios Altouvas symbolically washing the feet of twelve children.
Good Friday (22/4)
All of the churches in town organize the Epitaphios procession in a particular order with musical groups, choirs, schools, scouts and others. The church choirs, especially that of the Metropolitan Church, as well as the Municipal Choir solemnly chant the Eulogies whilst the philharmonic (brass) bands play classical works such as Albinoni’s Adagio from the ‘Old’ Corfu Philharmonic Society, Verdi’s Marcia Funebre from ‘Mantzaros’ Philharmonic Society (Blue) along with Mariani’s funereal elegy Sventura and Chopin’s Funeral March from the ‘Capodistrias’ Philharmonic Society.
Epitaphios Processions
12:30 Church of St. Irene (General Hospital) and Church of St. Artemis (Police Headquarters – Old Hospital)
14:00 Church of Pantocrator (Old Town-Cambiello) / Church of Spilaiotissis (New Fortress): Corfu Naval Station
15:45 Church of Saint Nicholas of the Baths (St. Nicholas Gate): DOPAP & Corfu Scouts
16:00 Church of Saint George (Old Fortress): Corfu Events Organization
16:30 Church of Saint Panteleimon (Psychiatric Hospital)
17:00 St. Efymias Monastery (Mon Repos)
17:30 Church of Holy Virgin Mary Kassopitra in Figareto / Church of the Assumption in Analipsi / Church of Saint George in Mantouki
18:00 Church of All Saints (Agion Panton) (Town) / Church of the Resurrection in the 1st Municipal Cemetery in Garitsa / St. Theodoros Monastery (Stratia)
18:30 Church of Saint Sophia in the Jewish quarter / Church of Saint Paraskevi (Porta Remounda)
19:00 Church of Saint Anthony (Spilia) / Holy Trinity Church (Garitsa) / Church of Saint Constantine and Helen (Koulines) / Church of the Dormition of Holy Mary belonging to the Mamalos family (Koyevina Hill) / Church of Saint Iasonas and Sosipatros (Garitsa)
19:15 Vlacherno Church (Garitsa)
19:30 Church of Saint Spyridon (San Rocco Square-Kotsela) / Church of the Three Holy Martyrs (Garitsa) / Church of Holy Virgin Mary Faneromeni (St. Spyridon Sq. - 'Plakada')
20:00 Church of Saint Vasilios (Pinia) / Church of Saint Ioannis Lazos (Kefalomantouko) / Church of Saint Barbara (Potamos) / Church of Saint Nikolaos (Alikes) / All Saints Church (Gouvia)
20:15 Church of Saint Nikolaos (Cambiello)
20:30 Church of Saint Ioannis (Piazza)
20:45 Church of Saint Jacob & Christopher in Old Town Hall Square (Catholic Cathedral)
21:00 Church of Saint Spyridon – Epitaphios Procession in the church accompanied by Corfu Philharmonic Society
22:00 Metropolitan Church Spilaiotissis (Spilia)
Easter Saturday (23/4)
06:00 Reenactment of earthquake following Christ's resurrection at Panagia Xenon Church in St. Spyridon Square (Plakada).
09:00 Church of Saint Spyridon. Epitaphios procession combined with procession of the Saint’s holy relics. The three Corfu Town Philharmonic Bands will take part. The ‘Old’ Band play the funeral march from Faccio’s Opera ‘Amleto’, the ‘Blue’ band play de Michelis’ funeral march ‘Calde Lacrimae’ (Hot tears) and the Capodistrias Band play from Beethoven’s funeral march from the Eroica Symphony.
11.00 The first Resurrection followed by throwing of clay pots ("botides").
11:01 Another old custom of Corfu Town residents is the “mastella”, a great half barrel placed at the heart of the town, Pinia. The barrel is 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)
21:00 Easter Vigil Devotional at the Catholic Cathedral (Duomo) with ecclesiastical music and choir and officiated by the Catholic Archbishop Ioannis Spiteris. The ceremony ends at 23:00
22:00 Reception of the Holy Fire from the Holy Sepulchre. This takes place at the Pentofanaro (Liston) in the presence of local dignitaries. The Holy Fire is taken to the Church of Saint Paraskevi where the Devotional for the Resurrection begins, led by the Archbishop Nektarios of Corfu. Recently the ceremony has been established for the reception of the Holy Fire by the Catholic Archbishop from the Orthodox Archbishop during the procession to the Church of Saint Paraskevi in Porta Remounda.
23:00 Commencement of the Devotional Vigil for the Resurrection at the Church of Saint Paraskevi, near the Upper Square.
23:40 The procession sets out from the Church of Saint Paraskevi towards the stage in the Upper Square led by the Archbishop of Corfu Nektarios. The Resurrection is celebrated there and ‘Christos Anesti’ (Christ is Risen) is chanted and the three Philharmonic Bands play in a spectacular atmosphere. There are Resurrection services in the following churches: St. Spyridon, All Saints, Virgin Mary ton Xenon, Saint Iasonas and Sosipatros, Three Holy Martyrs, Dormition of Holy Mary belonging to the Mamalos family, Saint Constantine and Helen (Koulines), All Saints (Gouvia) and the following monasteries: Platyteras, Saint Efthimia, Kassopitras (Kanoni) and Saint Theodoros (Stratia).
Easter Sunday (24/4)
09:00 – 11:00 Most churches in Corfu hold the Holy Resurrection Liturgy based on the old tradition. There is also a litany with an icon of the Lord’s Resurrection according to Byzantine tradition as is also done in the Aegean Islands and in the Slav Orthodox countries.
Processions with the Resurrection Icon in Corfu Town
07.30 - Church of Saint Sophia in the Jewish quarter
07.45 - Metropolitan Church Spilaiotissis (Spilia) / Church of All Saints (Agion Panton).
08.15 - Church of Saint Spyridon (San Rocco Square-Kotsela)
08.30 - Church of the Assumption in Analipsi (Kanoni) / Saint Eleftherios (kofinetta) / St. George in Mantouki / Church of Virgin Mary ton Xenon (strangers) in Plakada (Saint Spyridon square) / Church of Holy Virgin Mary Vlahernon (Garitsa)
08.45 - Church of Saint Vasilios in Pinia / St. Paraskevi (Porta Remounda)
09.00 - Church of Saint Antonios in Spilia / Panagia ton Xenon / St. Ioannis in Piazza / Church of Saint Nikolaos (Cambiello)
10.00 - Church of Saint Spiridon in Plakada with the 'Old' Corfu Philharmonic Band playing Wagner’s ‘Tannhäuser’ and ‘Mantzaros’ Philharmonic Band playing Kritkos’ ‘Marcia Trionfale’’
18.00 - Church of Holy Trinity in Garitsa.
19:30 Evensong of Love at the Metropolitan Church with the Archbishop of Corfu Nektarios reading the Gospels in all languages.
Easter Tuesday (26/4)
18:00 At the Church of Saint Spyridon the holy relics of Saint Spiridon are ceremoniously placed back into the crypt in the presence of local dignitaries and with the two oldest Corfu Philharmonic Bands.
EASTER IN THE VILLAGES
Parelia District
- Epitaphios Procession in Sinarades with Sinarades Philharmonic Band.
- Easter Monday procession with Sinarades Philharmonic Band setting off from Agios Nikolaos Church (central church).
- Easter Monday processions in villages of Vatos, Yiannades, Kokkini and Pelekas followed by church services. In the evening there are traditional local fairs (paniyiri) in Vatos and Pelekas.
- St. Thomas Sunday procession in Marmaro.
Achillion District
- On Lazarus Saturday from 17:00 next to the Panayia Church in Kinopiastes ladies of the parish make 'Vayia' (palm leaves) whilst singing.
- On Good Friday in Varipatades there is the tradition of 'bobolon' in which hundreds of snail shells are filled with oil and cotton wool. These are placed and lit along the route of the Epitaphios.
- On Good Friday the Epitaphios processions in Kinopiastes, Chrysida and Garitsa are accompanied by the local philharmonic bands.
- On Easter Monday the procession in Benitses is accompanied by the parish philharmonic band and the procession in Viros ends with a small boat on Mouse Island.
- St. Thomas Sunday processions in Kinopiastes, Gastouris and Agioi Deka.
Phaeces District
- Good Friday Epitaphios Procession in Poulades accompanied by Korakiana Philharmonic Band. Epitaphios Procession in Ano Korakiana accompanied by philharmonic band and choir.
- On Easter Monday there is one of the oldest processions in Corfu in Ano Korakiana accompanied by a philharmonic band. There is also a procession in Gazatika accompanied by a philharmonic band.
- On Easter Tuesday there is a procession in Agios Markos accompanied by Korakiana Philharmonic Band.
- There are also processions on the following Friday (Zoodohou Pigis) in Kato Korakiana and on St. ThomasSunday in Sokraki.
Paleokastritsa District
- The Good Friday Epitaphios Procession sets off from Paleokastritsa Monastery in the morning and ends at Alypa harbour, accompanied by Liapades and Lakones Philharmonic Bands and the 'Lakonites' Choir.
- In the evening on Good Friday Lakones Philharmonic Band and 'Lakonites' Choir accompany the Epitaphios Procession from the Church of Agios Nikolaos to the village of Lakones.
- In Liapades the Epitaphios Procession sets off from Agia Anastasia Church and is accompanied by the local philharmonic band and choir.
- In Skripero the Epitaphios Procession is accompanied by Skripero Philharmonic Band.
- On Easter Monday there is a big procession in Doukades. There are also processions in Skripero, accompanied by Skripero Philharmonic Band, and in Makrades, accompanied by Lakones Philharmonic Band and followed by a traditional local fair (paniyiri).
- On the following Friday there is a paniyiri at Theotokou Monastery in Paleokastritsa with Cultural Society and Lakones Church choir.
- On St. Thomas Sunday there is a procession in Krini accompanied by a philharmonic band and choir and followed by a paniyiri in the village square with the 'Krini' dance group.
