After the twelve gospels are read tonight throughout the churches of Zakynthos the preparation on the tomb will take place. In the village of Ambelokipi it is a ritual that has been done for many years. The women stay and place flowers on the tomb encasement that will carry Christ during the service of Holy Friday evening.

It is here that you will hear a lament called ‘Moiroloi” which is a song that is sung for the deceased and only sung by women.

Holy Friday in Greece one of the most Holiest days of the year known as Megali Paraskevi.

Zakynthos has its own unique way of celebrating this day, if you haven’t already noticed the church bells haven’t been ringing over the last few days, today however the bells, especially in the village areas, will be in strict traditional ‘Penthos’ mourning sound. Throughout the town you may see traditional black flags called ‘Pefki’ hanging from the balconies and windows.

Traditions have it that even today the usual everyday chores are stopped, at the dinner table no one is seated and no tablecloth is placed. At noon the litany of the ‘Stavromeno’ where at the end of the litany the Archbishop of Zakynthos will bless the four corners of the earth, this is done outside the church located in Solomos square.

However, the highlight is in the evening, during the ‘Epitaph’ especially in the village of Ambelokipi, where it is not so common to hear women’s choir, as usually the choirs comprise of only men. The ‘Egomia’ will be sung but in the village of Ambelokipi an extra traditional song called ‘miroloi’ is included in their service, im which I mentioned above. A ‘moiroloi’ which is a tradition from ancient times where songs would be made up talking about the person’s pain and suffering, in this case it is a song about Christ being cruicified, and the pain suffered by our Virgin Mother.

Another highlight, would definitely be the Epitaph and parade that takes place in Zakynthos town, this is done in the wee hours of Saturday Morning. The service usually starts around 02.00a.m and then finishing with the ‘Gloria’ the first resurrection. It is here with the first light Saturday Morning that Zakynthians would have gathered under the clock to break their clay pots.

This is a ritual in its own right. Before the calling that ‘Christ has ressurected’ people gather, coins are thrown on the ground to resemble the 30 pieces of silver that Judas got paid for delivering Jesus and the breaking of the clay pots to resemble the door of His tomb being broken, the first sign of His resurrection. Meanwhile in the church the feeling of an earthquake will be felt as church lights are flashing and the huge chandeliers swing, the faithful join in on the confusion waiting for the Archbishop to call out ‘Christ Has Risen’.After the sevice the faithful return home in the first light and will then usually break a pomegranate as a symbol of rebirth.