Untitled - ente nazionale per il turismo di cipro

Ten of the finest examples are designated
as World Heritage sites by UNESCO.
The frescoes, usually depicting events from the
bible, are remarkable in the clarity of detail
and colour. The later didactic-style wall paintings
evolved because very few of the rural
community were literate and the pictures
enabled them to learn the rudiments
of the gospels.
Easter is the main religious celebration in
Cyprus, and it starts on Clean Monday, the first
day of Lent, during which many people observe
a strict six-week Pascal fast. On Good Friday,
the women of the parish gather flowers to
decorate the epitaphios (bier) that carries the
symbol of Christ crucified round the streets
after a solemn service. At midnight on Saturday,
everyone lights his Easter lambada (candle) and
greets his neighbour with the words, “Christos
anesti”, (Christ is risen), to which the reply
is “Alithos anesti”, (He is indeed risen).
In many churchyards lambradjia (bonfires)
are lit and an effigy of Judas is burned.
Then the feasting starts. Whole lambs or souvla
(large kebabs) are cooked, coloured eggs
and flaounes (special Easter buns), are handed
round and there is a great deal of singing,
dancing and merrymaking.
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