Easter in Serifos - Epitaph region & Resurrection

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Good Friday is the culmination of the Divine Drama. The decoration and the procession of the epitaph is the main characteristic of this ritual. In an atmosphere full of emotions, the people of Serifos and the visitors experience the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. A special moment is the procession of the epitaph which takes place at the narrow alleys of Chora. One procession starts from the church of Agios Athanasios in Pano Chora and a second one, making a reverse route, starting from Kato Chora to reach Pano Chora. In fact, there have been times when the two epitaphs "meet" each other in Kato Chora and the two processions become one, creating an impressive scene, to continue the procession together in the narrow streets of Chora, with destination Pano Chora.

The Resurrection of the Lord is the most joyful and hopeful message for the faithful. “Jesus lives” can be heard in most settlements of the island. In Mega Livadi, in Koutalas and in Livadi the Resurrection takes place early at 22:00 while in the Monastery of Taxiarches and in the churches of Chora it takes place at 00:00. When “Christ Resurrected” is heard, the trigger is given for an impressive scene of fireworks in the square of Evangelistria in Kato Chora but also from various parts of the country.

In Evangelistria and the Monastery of Taxiarches, after Christ is Risen, the priest chants the verses of David, pretending to be Christ at the gates of hell, where the chanter answers him through the church who tries to prevent him from entering, pretending the devil. 'Arate Pylas' is sung three times and the last time, the priest pushes hard on the church door and enters the temple with the faithful. Memorable by many Serifs, the Resurrection that was taking place in the Monastery of Taxiarches by the abbot Dean Makarios who died in October 2019.