Santorini is one of Greece’s most beautiful islands. This island has become the top honeymoon destination globally, as millions flock to Fira and Oia for those perfect social media selfies and couple shots. During Greek Orthodox Easter, on Good Friday in Pyrgos, thousands of fire lanterns are lit and the island is transformed into a breathtaking Orthodox Christian marvel.
In case you didn’t know, Easter for Greeks is the biggest religious holiday of the year. The World Series of church services. Much bigger than Christmas is for Catholics. Unfortunately, the beautiful Mediterranean gem is still in lockdown (again) due to the pandemic as measures will be eased a day after Easter Sunday May 2 on May 3. It is very unfortunate that over 10.7 million Greeks will not be able to celebrate another Orthodox Easter in a beautiful BIG Greek Orthodox way in the streets for the midnight resurrection of Christ service Greeks call “Anastasi”.
We pray that this is the last year with pandemic restrictions and that we all can all return to normalcy in 2022. Australia, which has over 1M Greeks, has reopened and is experiencing normalcy, The land down under had a very strict 4 month lockdown and now Greeks in Sydney and Melbourne have begun to attend church services again, concerts, and more.
There are over 260 million Orthodox Christians worldwide and the third largest Christian following after Catholic and Protestant. Let these beautiful Santorini photos fill the hearts and souls of all with warmth, joy, and God’s blessings for a healthy and prosperous world this Orthodox Easter season. Kali Anastasi! Kalo Pascha!
Story by Ioanna Terisikis | Feature Photo by Rivios Thanos Photography
