Good Friday Orthodox Easter 2017. Epitaph commemoration Thessaloniki, Greece. (Ιερός Ναός Αναλήψεως του Κυρίου Θεσσαλονίκης. Η περιφορά του Επιταφίου 2017.)

Good Friday is a mournful day, commemorating the Passion of Christ.

The Epitaphios, or Epitaphios Thrinos in Greek, is the Good Friday evening Orthodox service.

Throughout Greece, the Passion of the Christ is revived in various religious traditions, in every town or village.

It all starts before midday when shops stay closed for people to pray the empty cross in church and decorate the Epitaph with flowers.

During the day, church bells are ringing the funeral toll.

Then at night believers with lit candles accompany the decorated with flowers Epitaphios outside the church, on the surrounding streets.

In big cities usually different Epitaphs are joined in street corners and a common prayer is sung.

Greek Orthodoxs consider it a blessing to pass under Epitaphios.

When the procession returns to the church they usually hold the mounted Epitaphios high upon the entrance of the church.

Also watch past epitaph commemorations here:

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