Following is my Podcast on Easter in Greece. Click and Enjoy!

Every church bell on the island of Paros tolls the Resurrection. The ships in port blare their horns as fireworks light up the sky over the sea. It’s midnight, Easter Sunday morning in Greece and the narrow streets of Parikia, the capital of Paros, are teaming with people. Christos Anesti (Christ is Risen) is the standard greeting answered with Alithos Anesti (Truly He is).

Earlier in the day we had each been given an unlit ribbon-adorned candle as we exited the small commuter plane from Athens. Upon checking into our room over looking the square of Parikia we found two more candles.

Later that night through our open window we heard a deep male voice chanting in Greek. Mesmerized we joined the throngs in the narrow streets winding towards the Panagia Ekatonapyliani, or Church of 100 Doors. This church was founded by Alexander’s mother, Helen, and built by him in 328. It’s the last standing church in Greece built in the Byzantine style. The legend states that only 99 doors have been found, but when the 100th one is uncovered, Istanbul will once again be called Constantinople and ruled by Greece. As we followed behind, we saw old friends and family members greeting each other with joyful voices. Many kisses and hugs were exchanged. We were told later that Easter is the most important religious holiday in Greece, and that family members scattered throughout Greece and Europe will travel to be home at this time. We sat on a bench in front of an old church listening to the chanting from within, happy voices outside, with many people coming and going. As it neared midnight we went off in search of our daughter Kat and her friends. And then the bells began. There was no fear of waking sleeping children, as the whole town, indeed the entire island population was out. As we neared a smaller Church, we saw the priests outside with the congregation around them. A few came up to light their long tapers, and as they began walking through the streets they would stop to light other’s candles. Greeting each other with Christos Anesti.

The streets were soon alive with happy voices and bobbing candlelight. Many families gathered after the services to break their fast with a soup made from the inner organs of the lamb to be roasted the next day, while we headed back for some sleep.

Sunday afternoon we joined a mixed group of local Greeks and other nationalities sharing a large table at Magaya, a beach taverna, for a day of eating, drinking, and celebrating. All over Greece goats and lambs had been roasting, and it was no different here. The aroma filled the air. The wine flowed freely and plates were heaped high. We felt very blessed to share the day and have this “backdoor” experience within the Greek culture.