GREEK EASTER This is a very special time of year to be in Greece.This year, the Orthodox Easter is later than the Catholic Easter with Easter Sunday falling on 1st May. For the Orthodox church, Easter is the most important and joyous event of the year-seen to be of more importance even than Christmas. This is a wonderful time to visit the island; as apart from the actual festivities, and events in the town, the island is incredibly peaceful, so you can enjoy its beaches and countryside without the hordes. The inhabitants are at their most relaxed-this is their holiday time and you can expect a very warm welcome. The weather at this time in late April/early May may be unsettled, but its just right for hiking and exploring . If you would like to enjoy the festivities, we have some special offers for accommodation for you; choose from hotels or town studios.
Also on this page you can learn more about the rituals and celebrations of the Easter week.

Skopelos Village Apartments Located 600 metres from Skopelos town and right opposite the sea, this Category A complex comprises 36 very comfortable units which can sleep from 2-6 persons. The studios are for 2 persons and are open plan, the 1 bedroomed apartments are for 2-4 persons, and have a seprate bedroom, plus 2 sofa-beds in the living room while the 2 bedroom apartments are for 4-6 persons. All the units have airconditioning, television, a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower, and WC, safebox, and their own balcony or terrace with sea view. Cleaning is on a daily basis, and there is also Room Service. the complex has a pool , and pool bar. On Easter Sunday (1st May), there will be a celebratory meal at the hotel, with all the traditional Greek Easter fare ie spit roasted lamb or goat, red-dyed eggs, salads etc, which will be accompanied by live Greek music.   Price per day on BB Basis 25/04-02/05/05 (Greek Easter) Studio 2 persons 116 1 bedroomed apmt 2 persons 1301 1 bedroomed apmt 3 persons 139 1 bedroomed apmt 4 persons 147 2 bedroomed apmt 3 persons 154 2 bedroomed apmt 4 persons 162 2 bedroomed apmt 5 persons 170 2 bedroomed apmt 6 persons 178

Lemonis Studios If you would like to have the freedom that self catering offers, we highly recommend this small complex of studio apartments, located in the centre of Skopelos town, in a very quiet residential area. The complex was built just a few years ago, and all the units are modern, and comfortable. The middle floor of the building comprises two apartments both with a separate bedroom , and a spacious open plan living-room/kitchen. There is a sofa bed in the living room for a further two persons. The kitchen is equipped for the preparation of simple meals. Both apartments have a balcony,and one has sea views. Both apartments have bathrooms with bathtub and WC. The top floor of the building comprises studios, all open plan with kitchen area and bathroom with shower and WC. All have their own balcony with lovely views over the sea to the mountains.All the studios have airconditioning and TV. Prices per unit, per day, in Euros, on Self Catering Basis   Studio for 2 persons 45 Apartment for 2-4 persons 60

Dionyssos Hotel This B category hotel is located approximately 400 metres away from the waterfront and port of Skopelos in a quiet area. It has a large swimming pool set in the pleasant gardens. All the rooms have airconditioning and fridge, bathroom with shower and WC . The hotel has restaurant, and TV room, and bar. The Dionyssos is offering a special Easter package. The prices below include three days accommodation on half board basis. On Good Friday there will be a special buffet dinner with foods suitable for the Lenten fast. On Saturday night, there is a late dinner with mayeiritsa soup, salads and meats. On Sunday, there will be an Easter feast with salads, and roast lamb or goat, which will be accompanied by live music. Prices per room, day, in Euros, on half board basis minimum stay 3 nights   Single room 105 Double room 145 Triple room 170

Greek Orthodox Rituals and Celebrations
Greek Orthodox Easter is a fascinating time, full of tradition, a sense of mystery, and joy. If you are planning to spend Easter in Greece, you will enjoy it even more if you understand what each of the special services in Holy Week mean, so we have outlined the Holy Week events below.
Megali Deftera through to Megali Tetarti -Monday 25th April to Wednesday 27th
Now starts six days of general mourning which begins on the eve of Palm Sunday. Most people stop work on Maundy Thursday until after Easter Monday. The faithful attend all church services, while most attend some. Each day there is a church service from 0715 to 0915, and again in the evening from 1915 to 2145, except on Wednesday evening. Many people fast more strictly during this week, for many food with olive oil is forbidden, and people eat plain boiled vegetables, pasta, bread and tarama.
Megali Pempti-Maundy Thursday 28th April
On the morning of Maundy Thursday the preparations for Easter begin. Eggs are dyed red as this colour is believed to have protective power. Easter buns are baked, made with fresh yeast and studded with red eggs. Much of Thursday is spent at the church, as the women weave wreaths of flowers to decorate the Epitaph, which is the wooden bier upon which the image of Christ is laid the next day. There are two church services; one in the morning from 0800 to 1000, when readings relate to the Last Supper; and the evening service which stretches from 1800 to midnight. This service commemorates the crucifixion of Christ, and the complete story of Christ's Passion is read. The congregation lay floral tributes and laurel leaves at the foot of the cross.
Megali Paraskevi-Good Friday 29th April
This is a day of total fasting; some people will only eat lettuce in vinegar while others have tahinosoupa-a soup made from sesame seeds, lemon juice, water and rice. Again, much of the day is spent at church. From 0800 to 1200 there is the Service of the Hours which marks the descent from the cross. The flowers prepared the day before are attached to the bier-each of the four parish churches in Skopelos has its own bier, and the women compete to make the most beautiful epitaphio. The altar is draped in black and the image of Christ is removed from the cross and wrapped in a shroud, before being laid upon the bier, and carried around the church. The congregation sprinkle rose petals and holy water on it as it passes. The bare cross is decorated with a wreath of thorns. In the evening, from 1930 to 2230, the Funeral Service is held. People carry plain brown wax candles to the church. At around 2100 the funeral procession begins, enacting the burial of Christ and his descent into hell. In Skopelos, the funeral procession commences at the church of Christos, passing by the church of Aghios Ioannis where the congregation and the bier join, next to the church of Panagia Papameletiou where again the congregation and bier join the procession, and onto the final church of Faneromeni. As the procession arrives at each church the bell tolls. People line the streets to receive the procession before following with their candles lit. The procession descends to the waterfront and returns to each of the four churches where the bier is placed in the nave, and Christ's image placed in the sanctuary.
Megalo Savvato-Holy Saturday 30th April
Preparations for the next day's feast begin; the lamb or goat must be prepared for the spit, and the Easter bread (tsoureki) must be baked. There is a morning church service from 0800 to 1030 which marks Christs descent into hell and his conquest of Satan. The evening service is held from 2300 to 0200 and celebrates the Resurrection of Christ. People wear their best or newest clothes and hold white candles decorated with ribbons and flowers. The church is dimly lit and the floor is scattered with laurel, rosemary and myrtle. The lights are extinguished to symbolise the darkness of the grave, and then the priest comes from the sanctuary carrying three lit white candles. The congregation light their candles from the priests and pass the light on, until the entire church is lit up, symbolising the new life brought into the world by the risen Christ. People greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks or a handshake and say 'Christos Anesti!' ('Christ is Risen!') to which the other responds 'Alithos Anesti!' ('Truly He is risen!').Church bells peal loudly and fireworks and firecrackers are let off, while all the boats in the harbour sound their horn. After the service, people walk home,saving the light of the candle to light the family icon, and to make the sign of the cross with the smoke above the door. On return home, people break their fast with the Easter soup, (magiritsa), which is made from the heart, liver, lungs and intestines of the lamb or goat.The first course is always the red eggs; each person taps their egg against anothers-whoever is successful in cracking someone else's egg may claim that egg as his own.
Kyriaki tou Paska-Easter Sunday 1st May
This is the biggest celebration day of the Greek calendar. Preparations begin by 0900, as people go to their country house to light the barbeque and start cooking the lamb or goat on a spit. The meat is accompanied by salads of lettuce and spring onions, lots of wine, and dancing! The feasting and celebrations carry on into the night.

Madro Travel, Paralia Skopelou, Skopelos, 37003, Greece