Holy Week on Patmos
A moving Easter celebration of Holy Week on the beautiful island of Patmos, Greece
This entry was posted on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at 9:33 am. It is filed under General, Greece, Sacred Places, Video and tagged with easter. holy week, eastern orthodox, Greece, greek orthodox, Orthodox, patmos, st john monatery.
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INTERESTING THAT THE CELEBRATION DINNER AND DANCING TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY AFTER TWELVE IN THE EVENING, BECAUSE AT THAT TIME JESUS CHRIST HAS NOT YET RESERECTED. EASTER SUNDAY IS RESERECTION DAY, AND IS CELEBRATED WITH JOYFUL HIGH MASS IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
I HAVE ENJOYED THE VIDIOS OF YOUR GREEK ISLANDS, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMMING ONES OF YOUR PILGRAMAGE.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU, AND PROTECT YOU IN ALL YOUR JOURNEY.
LOTS OF LOVE, JANE
Hi Juanita, Thanks for watching the video so quickly! We just finished it a few hours ago and had to ask to post it at the hotel office. The candles are lit, and the procession of Jesus on the bier through the city, to the grave yard and back to the church, happens on Friday at midnight. The party with dining and dancing happens after midnight on Easter Sunday, the same as with the Roman Catholic Church, except using a different calendar. Many thanks for your good wishes. I send my love. XX
Hi Alex and John,
I was very interested in the rituals. Such beautiful vestments and traditions. Then the food and dance. Beautiful color by the way with your camera and camera work. There is a Greek Orthodox Church in our neighborhood that has that same community feel to it. Don and I usually go to their celebrations in the summer. Same kind of old world atmosphere, in a way. You can see it so clearly in your interview and scenes of the worshipers. So welcoming and sincere.
Well…keep ’em coming.
Barbara
What a BEAUTIFUL celebration.. Thank you so much for sharing!
Beautiful! Thanks. The folds on the palm crosses seemed very complex — I’d like to learn to do that.
Happy Easter!
Thanks Em, there was even more that I couldn’t get on camera; it was a memorable experience.
Thanks Tyrell, it’s like complex origami.
Hi Barbara, thanks for watching the videos. Easter on Patmos was really something special. I like your idea, we have an Orthodox church nearby that I think I’ll check out, although I doubt that it’s quite the same.
Hello John and Alex — It’s so interesting how similar and also so unique various Orthodox cultures/countries are re the Easter traditions. When I was with Sri in Syria three years ago at Easter, we were surrounded by the solemnity of the music and beauty of the vestments — and then the cacophony of the joyous loud booming drums and horns of Easter morning music and whole body expression of celebration. I wonder if you too got swept up Easter day in the wild experience of this faith…. Love, Judy
Hi Judy, I do love all the sensory richness of the Orthodox church — the amazingly beautiful Byzantine icons and frescos on every wall; the carved wood Bishop’s Throne, and the ornate raised pulpit; the ornately embroidered vestments and banners; the hanging candle lamps with flickering light, and the colored light trickling through old glass windows; the rich scent of incense mixed with beeswax; the rich counterpoint chanting during a service… it all moves me. And the Orthodox Easter celebration is a wonderful and joyful event, I agree. (We had pretty much followed 40 days of Lent, which made it especially climactic and moving.) Love to all, A & J
Hi Alex,
Happy Birthday!
Your videos are fascinating. I have never been to a Greek Orthodox service, but my sister Anne married a Russian, Alex Soloviev (maybe you remember them), and I love the Russian Orthodox service, especially the music. You are fortunate to be able to visit so many sacred places. Was there any mention of John of Patmos on the island?
Hi Michael, Thanks so much for your note. How are you? There was a lot of mention of John of Patmos, in fact we went to the 7 cities of Revelation to get footage (mostly just stones and ruins) in hopes of making a video of The Book of Revelation. I heard Elaine Pagels just came out with a book and am eager to read it when I get back (we’re in Istanbul, headed home). I would love to hear your ideas about St. John, I can’t make sense of it. I do remember your sister, and her lovely wedding. XX
Hi Alex,
I started reading Elaine Pagels’ book recently, and there is so much in it that’s new to me, that I haven’t finished reading yet, I want to wait to discuss it. You won’t be disappointed in the book. I don’t even remember Anne’s wedding very well. Alex died a few years ago; Anne lives in DC, not too far away, so I see her pretty often and she is doing well. They had two children, Andy and Elena – Andy is in New Orleans, and Elena near Eureka, CA. How is your family? I see Tyrell on this forum – what happened to Billy? If you want to email me directly instead of using this forum, it’s fine with me. XX