If you ever find yourself in the Greek town of Artemida during Easter, get ready for more than just a holiday getaway. This isn’t about colorful eggs or a few extra days off. In Greece, Easter is the beating heart of spiritual life and in Artemida, a coastal town not far from Athens, you’ll feel it with every fiber of your being.

Easter in Greece isn’t just a single Sunday. It’s a full week - Holy Week - filled with reflection, silence, prayer, and ancient rituals that slowly draw you into another world. Time seems to slow down, and the sense of anticipation builds with each passing night.

Good Friday

On Good Friday, the town shifts into a quieter gear. Shops dim their lights, cafés go still, and even the sea seems to hush. In the evening, locals gather at churches to pay their respects to the Epitafios - a symbolic tomb of Christ, beautifully decorated with flowers and candles.

From there, a procession begins. Candles flicker, incense drifts through the air, hymns echo through the streets. Even if you're there just to watch, it’s hard not to feel like you're part of something sacred. The procession moves slowly through the town, pausing for prayer, connecting everyone in a shared moment of deep reverence.

Anastasi - the Night Time Stands Still

But the most powerful moment of all comes on Holy Saturday, just before midnight.

Anastasi, the Resurrection, is announced at every church in Artemida. You don’t need to choose a specific one, just walk out your door and head toward the nearest. Around 11 PM, people begin to gather: entire families, from grandparents to tiny children, all holding lambades, decorated Easter candles made especially for this night.

The atmosphere is electric, yet full of tenderness. Kids whisper, adults glance at their watches, waiting.

Then, just before midnight, the church lights go out.

The priest steps outside, carrying the Holy Fire - a flame brought all the way from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. From that one flame, the first candle is lit.

And then - candle to candle, hand to hand - a mother lights her child’s wick, a neighbor lights a stranger’s.

In seconds, the whole crowd glows with a warm, golden light.

If the weather is good, the entire service continues outdoors, under the stars. With the sea as a backdrop, and the scent of incense in the air, it feels almost otherworldly.

Then, exactly at midnight, the priest proclaims in a strong, ringing voice:
“Christos Anesti!” - Christ is Risen!
And the crowd responds, like one great voice:
“Alithos Anesti!” - Truly He is Risen!

The church bells erupt in joyful clamor. Fireworks light up the sky. People embrace, exchange wishes, and smile with genuine joy.

The fast is over. Now, it’s time to celebrate.

Feasting, Joy, and Togetherness

After the liturgy, most people head home or to local tavernas - and fair warning, reservations are a must, because everyone celebrates together this night.

There, you’ll find magiritsa, a rich lamb soup with herbs and offal that’s only served once a year, tonight. Red-dyed eggs, symbolizing life and resurrection, are passed around as people gently crack them against one another for good luck.

Laughter fills the air. Glasses clink. Conversations and dancing often stretch into the early hours. There’s a closeness, a shared joy, that’s hard to describe - and even harder to find elsewhere.

Easter in Greece isn’t some tourist spectacle. It’s a heartfelt, living tradition that embraces everyone, no matter your language or beliefs.

You don’t need to understand every word. You don’t need to know every custom. You just need to be there - to see the light, smell the incense, hear the bells, and feel the moment.

It’s something that stays with you.

If you want to truly experience what Easter can be, come to Greece. Come to Artemida.
Stand under the Greek sky with a candle in your hand.
Hear “Christos Anesti” echo into the night and let it move you.

Christ is Risen - Christos Anesti!