Being in Kritsa for Orthodox Easter is a privilege I’ll not enjoy this year as I’m in the UK, so I thought I’d share photos from previous years.

During Holy Week, the Greek Orthodox Church commemorates the events that led to Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. The day I know as Good Friday is called Great Friday.

During the Thursday evening, and into the night, congregations use flowers to decorate the epitaph to carry the icon of Christ during the Friday evening service.

In Kritsa, the three main churches of Panagia Odigitria, Agios Georgios and Agios Panteleimonas, each have an amazing floral tribute that stands before the alter until the Friday evening service of Lamentations.

Towards the end of the evening service, the epitaph is paraded three times around the church with the congregation following behind.

After the third time, the three processions meet up at the top of the village. From here, the three congregations combine to follow their epitaph down through the people lined main street of Kritsa. Imagine the heady scent created by so many flowers combined with incense.

Wherever you are this weekend, Happy Greek Easter.