Public Story
Kyriaki Tou Pascha
The service lasts for hours, and just before midnight all lights are turned off, representing Christ’s death. At midnight, the priest lights a candle, which represents the holy flame. He then announces that Christ has risen. Parishioners light their candles off the priests and then share their flame with others. What is unique about the holy flame in Greece, is that a priest from the Greek Orthodox Church has brought a candle lit from the Church of the Holy Grave in Jerusalem. The initial flame is then shared throughout Greece on the last day of lent. After the flame filled celebration, Greeks break lent and have a huge feast at midnight.
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