On the Thursday before Easter I was in Corfu Town and saw lots of lovely bright red pots for sale in the streets.....thought one would look good at the house but was told these are the pots that are thown from the roof tops on Saturday morning to celebrate Easter! We decided against Corfu Town on the Saturday, where most of the action seems to take place, as although my father is fairly robust, I didn't think he could cope with the crowds and I was worried we may have to walk miles from wherever we could park the car....another time....
Instead we went up to the church in Arillas on the Saturday evening. We were told the service started at 11pm so like good British tourists we arrived at 1055 to find the place deserted. Had we got the wrong day?? Then I spotted Dennis (owner of Perry and Jimmy's behind the Rainbow) who turned out to be a leading light in the church and one of the main singers....dark horse that one. He assured me it would all be happening soon so we went into the church where about 6 people were assembled. A few more trickled in, all carrying long candles of different colours, which I had seen on sale in all the shops. (Also saw lots of Kalo Paska painted on the streets, and some special lights in some of the villages....)
At about 1130, four men started to sing (no music) and this went on for about 25 minutes (sorry....didn't understand any of it) during which time a steady flow of people came through the door. Everyone chattered to each other throughout. I recognised a lot of local people from Arillas, all very smartly dressed in suits and the women in high heels and stylish outfits. I had to hide behind a pillar in my jeans and trainers......We noticed lots of the men seemed to be gathering at the front and there were several priests who all looked very busy. Candle holders were handed round (giant versions of the ones we put on birthday cakes) and suddnely there was a flame at the front of the church, all the men seemed to rush to light their candles and then they went round lighting everyone elses. So suddnely the church was aglow with candlelight. After a few more words, a procession started and evryone went out of the churh into the square and the procession went round the church about three times. By now it was midnight and I was waiting for people to shout "Kristos aneste....alithos aneste"....Christ is risen,truly risen.....I had been practising all afternoon but must have missed the cue because it passed me by!
There was a wonderful warm atmosphere in the square with a huge crowd and everyone hugging each other and for days people were saying Kronia polla all the time. Then the priest indicated that the service was moving back into the church and would continue till 1am. However, only the stalwarts remained (I wasn't one I'm afraid). Most people just made their way back down into the village. The Brouklis family was there (minus Bebis) and even Babis had come home to be with his mum for Easter, looking very distinguished in his suit (a change from those tight red swimming trunks.....)
Although it was all very informal it was clearly a very special occasion for everyone and I felt honoured that everyone made us feel so welcome....another Arillas memory for me.
Next day we went for a drive, and as we went through the villages there were lambs roasting on spits everywhere and families having big gatherings in their gardens.....I dread to think how many lambs were cooked that day!