Holy Week in Cyprus is a deeply religious period where the past meets the present through vibrant traditions, customs, Easter flavours and folk beliefs. It is a week where the scent of freshly baked flaounes blends with the fragrance of spring flowers and the incense in churches.

Even though the entire week is filled with devoutness, the Passion of Christ and local traditions reach their peak during the sacred three-day period from the Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday.

Holy Thursday

A profound sense of solemnity reaches its peak on this day, as the Service of the Holy Passions is held in the evening. Following the morning liturgy, the icons in the churches are covered with black veils as a sign of mourning. In the evening, the 12 Gospels are read, describing Christ’s dramatic journey: from His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and Juda’s betrayal, to His arrest, trial and Crucifixion. After the 5^th Gospel, the lights in the church are dimmed and the priest carries the Crucifix in procession, chanting “Today He is hung upon the Tree…”. The Cross is then placed at the center of the church for the faithful to venerate.

In the past, it was customary for worshippers to place glass jars of water beneath the lectern to be sanctified as the 12 Gospels were read. This blessed water was later used to prepare the sourdough for baking bread.

After the service, the decoration of the Epitaphios (Sepulcher bier) begins, so that it is ready for the Good Friday morning service when the Deposition of Christ from the Cross takes place.

On this same day, eggs are dyed red, which is why Holy Thursday is known in the Cypriot dialect as Kotsini Pefti, meaning Red Thursday.

In certain villages in the Limassol district, such as Omodos and Koilani, the tradition of preparing arkatena is still kept alive. From Holy Thursday until Holy Saturday, women also bake flaounes, the beloved Easter delicacy of Cyprus.

According to tradition, blacksmiths refrain from working on this day as an act of repentance. It is said that when Pontius Pilate asked for three nails for the Crucifixion of Christ, they provided more than were needed.

Good Friday 

Good Friday is the most somber day in the Orthodox calendar. A deep sense of mourning is felt everywhere, from the sorrowful tolling of the church bells to the quiet atmosphere in homes.

In the morning, the service of the Apokathelosis (Deposition from the Cross) is held in the churches. The priest removes the body of Christ from the Cross, wraps it in a clean linen cloth and places it inside the flowered-adorned Epitaphios amidst colourful petals. The faithful flock to the churches to venerate and traditionally take a few of these blessed petals, which they keep to use later as incense. In some villages, these petals are even given to silkworms, in the belief that they will be blessed and produce rich silk. A special tradition of this day is visiting and venerating seven different Epitaphios.

In the evening, the Matins Service of Holy Saturday is held, featuring the Engomia (Lamentations): “Life in the Tomb” (I Zoi en tafo), “Right is it indeed” (Axion Esti) and “All Generations” (Ai geneai pasai). This is followed by the procession of the Epitaphios through the streets of the parish or village.

On this day, in remembrance of the vinegar offered to Christ on the Cross, many people traditionally eat lentils with vinegar or take a symbolic sip of vinegar.

Holy Saturday

This is the day when the somber atmosphere of Good Friday gives way to the joy of the Resurrection.

In the morning, the Vespers of the Resurrection is held, also known as the “First Resurrection”. As soon as the priest proclaims “Anasta o Theos” (Arise, O God), he emerges from the Royal Doors scattering laurel leaves throughout the church. At that moment, the black veils fall from the icons, the faithful noisily strike their wooden pews to reenact the earthquake that occurred during the Resurrection, and the church bells ring out joyfully.

Shortly before midnight, the faithful gather at churches holding their Easter candles to hear the “Good Word” (Kalos Logos – the Resurrection message). At midnight, the lights are turned off, and the priest, standing at the Royal Doors, chants “Defte Lavete Fos” (Come receive the Light). The Holy Light is then passed from candle to candle, illuminating the church.  After the Resurrection Liturgy, families return home for the festive Easter dinner, which includes traditional avgolemoni soup or magiritsa (a hearty soup made with lamb or goat offal, intestines (optional), fresh and dry onions, dill, lettuce and rice, thickened with egg-lemon sauce), along with flaounes, and of course, the cracking of red eggs.