A Greek Easter Feast

Today we drove from Argostoli to the town of Poros. The terrain between the two towns is rocky and the roads curvy. Nikos, the host of our apartment in Poros, took pity on us and kindly invited us to attend his extended family’s Easter feast. This was fortunate for us, because nothing much was open in tiny Poros on the holiday.

We  followed Nikos in our car up the windy country road to the home of his uncle and aunt for Easter dinner. We were warmly welcomed by his family and friends and we enjoyed a delicious meal with many Greek dishes.  The centerpiece of the meal was a whole lamb roasted on a spit. The family home is on a hillside above the town of Poros and the view is spectacular.

View of Poros Harbor

We arrived in time for the carving of the Easter lamb and the link to the video below shows the number of helpers the process require.

Carving the Easter lamb

 Twenty-one people including the matriarch of the family, Nikos mom; aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends gathered around the table with the blue sky and sea as a backdrop.  The discussion was lively and the Greek music in the background made for a unique experience.

Easter Lunch in Poros

Post-lunch we went for a walk and then settled into our home for the next three nights. One advantage to being here off-season as the price is low for our top-floor apartment with a view of the sea. The apartment is cozy and located in the center of town.

Blue Sky Apartment in Poros

Nikos loves to garden growing roses, lilies and citrus. There is an abundant supply of lemons, kumquats and oranges.

Niko’s Harvest

The small apartment complex is spotlessly clean with many nice features.

Vase on the Stairway

So we’ve had a very fun and interesting day. We’re grateful to this Greek family or welcoming us so warmly.

Easter Celebrations in Argostoli

Easter is the most important holiday of the year in Greece. Friday evening we watched a dirge-like procession as church leaders and parishioners carried epitaphs (tapestry with images of the death of Christ) around the city. There was a marching band;

Philharmonic Band in Argostoli

and three flowered floats with epitaphs.

Flowered Float in Good Friday Procession

At the end of the procession Friday night, crowds gathered in the main square for a religious service.

Saturday at noon, a crowd gathered to watch the Pottery Breaking Ceremony. Painted and decorated clay jugs (“Botides”), filled with water, are thrown from balconies and smashed on the streets below, with visitors and residents gathering to watch. The smashing symbolizes Christ’s resurrection from the dead (or maybe it’s just a fun pagan ritual).

Breaking of the Pottery Ceremony

After all of the pots are broken, people collect shards as souvenirs for good luck.

Souvenir Shards

We think that it’s a miracle that someone below wasn’t injured by a falling pot or a sliver of broken pottery.

For lunch we ate creatively-made fish sandwiches from a colorful take-out shop around the corner from our apartment.

Take Out Fish

The rental car company delivered our car to the hotel Saturday afternoon and we parked it in one of the free parking lots in town.

At midnight, there were fireworks and church bells but after a busy day, we were fast asleep.💤

Night Time in Argostoli

Today it’s Easter Sunday and we are moving to our next stop about 50 minutes away in Poros.

Nikos, the host at our next apartment in Poros has invited us to Easter dinner with his family. They will be roasting a lamb and we’ll bring wine for the table. We’re looking forward to a real Easter meal! Wishing you a Happy Easter Day!