Shortly before midnight on Holy Saturday the Metropolitan proclaims the Resurrection from a stage on the Upper Spianada; candles are lit from one to the next and fireworks go up. Next: Saturday 1 May 2027, 23:00.
When: Holy Saturday night, into Easter Sunday. Where: Upper Spianada (Pano Platia), by Agia Paraskevi.
«Christos Anesti» at midnight, then bands, bells and fireworks.
The night service begins at the church of Agia Paraskevi at about 23:00. Shortly before midnight the clergy and the Metropolitan walk in procession to a stage on the Upper Spianada, and at midnight «Christos Anesti», Christ is risen, is chanted. The Holy Light passes from candle to candle through the crowd, the bands play, and drums and fireworks follow.
On the Upper Spianada, within sight of the stage.
The square is large, but the ground near the stage is packed; its edges give more room and still a view of the fireworks.
By 23:00 for a place near the stage.
The procession to the stage sets off at about 23:40. Bring a candle, a lambada, to light from the Holy Light: they are sold everywhere in Holy Week.
Loud and crowded: firecrackers go off all around.
Firecrackers are set off in the streets around midnight: keep children close, and hold lit candles away from hair and clothes. Afterwards families go home to break the fast with magiritsa soup and red-dyed eggs.
Checked on 14 November 2026.