Today is Good Friday and this Sunday, many will celebrate Easter here in the states with candy, big dinners, and possibly a trip to church beforehand. Also this week both here and in Israel, Jews celebrated Passover with Seder suppers, but in Greece it is all about the Orthodox Church’s version of Easter. I found this article interesting as it explained some of the events that go on in Greece this week.
As Easter approaches, all of Greece prepares to party. The island of Paros, Greece in particular is host to large scale festivities. The Greeks partake in festivities that center around re-enacting the Passion of Christ, in which the events surrounding and including Jesus’ final days, death, and resurrection are acted out. This event doubles the usual population of Paros, and occupies the time of the residents. I find this interesting because, it is portrayed as an event that everyone participates in. However it excludes the Jews and anyone else who does not believe as the Greek Orthodox Church does. In a larger sense, I feel that perhaps the seemingly overbearing Orthodox Church is partially to blame for the exclusion and persecution of outside groups like the Jews and Protestants within Greece.
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