2 CORFU PANORAMA English_1

Easter
Good Friday
One of the most picturesque Epitaphs on the island is the
Epitaph of Saint George, the church inside the Old Fortress.
When all the Epitaphs have come out from the temples, little
girls hand out flowers to the people. The official procession
is done by the Epitaph of the Metropolis, where all the
Philharmonic bands of the island take part in.
The procession of the Epitaph of Saint Spyridon with the
sacred relics of the Saint takes place in the morning of the
Holy Saturday. This peculiar custom derives from the period
of the Venetian occupation, when the procession of the
Epitaph was forbidden in the evening of Good Friday.
Holy Saturday
The breaking of pitchers is one of the most characteristic
Corfiot customs. In the morning of Holy Saturday, the time of
the first Resurrection and when the phrase “Anasta o Theos”
(The Christ has risen) is heard in the churches, the Corfiots
throw from their balconies pitchers full of water. It is believed
that the evil spirits are scared of the din of the pitchers and
won’t come close to the houses of the island.
The bands are playing the cheery anthem “Don’t be afraid
Grecians” in the streets and the cheerleaders are following
them dancing. From this sound composition derives the phrase
“Egine Anasta o Kyrios” (A mess of chaos and celebrations).
The custom of “Mastelos” revives on Holy Saturday. In the
old days, the porters of Corfu, the “Piniadori” placed a mastelo
(long barrel) in a central part of the city adorned with myrtles
and filled with water. Afterwards, they were asking passers-by
to throw coins in the barrel making a wish and when they
had gathered enough coins, they chased someone and
threw him into the barrel, who had the privilege to collect
the money.
On the same night, at the Resurrection in Ano Platia,
the Metropolitan of Corfu and the other official persons
stand on the podium of the musical pavilion and chant Easter
Hymns and the Philharmonic bands are playing marches.
On every house’s window lit candles are placed and along
with the candles of the worshippers the whole city is enlightened
causing awe and solemnity.
The pitchers are thrown on Holy Saturday to scare the
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