Easter in Nafplio is celebrated with all the enthusiasm and magnificence, that this important religious event requires. The city of Nafplio is decorated with flowers, banners and the churches are illuminated with special colored lights. In the surrounding areas, among the lighted candles, the colors of the flowering lilac, the lilies, the violet and the citrus flowers dominate.
Schedule of Church Services & Events:
Saturday, April 17th 2022 – Saturday of Lazarus
7:00 Orthros and Divine Liturgy in the Churches of the city. The resurrection of Lazarus.
18:00 Evening Mass
The municipal events start on Lazarus Saturday, at 12.00 noon with "Lazarakia", the custom where women knead small buns and children form groups, decorate Lazarus and sing "Lazarus' carols".
18:00 Assini
In the square of Assini village in the afternoon, the children will decorate crosses with flowers and will sing Lazarus there as well.
19:30 Vouleftiko
On the same day's evening, there will be a concert by the "Byzantine and Traditional Echoes" choir at 19:30, in the Vouleftiko (First Greek Parliament's building).
Sunday, April 17th 2022 – Palm Sunday
7:00 Orthros and Divine Liturgy – Palm bearing.
On Palm Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is honored and despite its joyful character, it is considered the beginning of the Holy Passion.
10:00 Kantia
In Kandia, after the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Cultural Landscaping and Educational Association of Kandia will distribute the traditional "Lazarakia" to the faithful.
19:30 Nafplio - Bridegroom's service in the churches of the city.
Choir at the Church of Agios Anastasios in Nafplio, under the direction of choirmaster Mr. Konstantinos Routoulas.
Good Monday, April 18th 2022
Memory of the Blessed Pangalos Joseph
07:00 Mass of Hours and Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
19:30 Bridegroom's service in the churches of the city.
Choir at the Church of Agios Anastasios in Nafplio, under the direction of choirmaster Mr. Konstantinos Routoulas.
Good Tuesday, April 19th 2022
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
07:00 Mass of Hours and Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
19:30 Bridegroom's service in the churches of the city.
Holy Tuesday is dedicated to the sinful woman. The famous hymn (glorifying) of the hymnographer nun Cassiani is chanted.
Nafplio, Holy Temple of Genesis of the Virgin (Panagia): The Ecclesiastical Choir of the Holy Temple of Panagia Nafplio, under the direction of Mr. Theodosius Antoniadis, sings the hymn of Cassiani.
Nafplio, Holy Church of Agios Anastasios: Choir at the Church of Agios Anastasios in Nafplio, under the direction of choirmaster Mr. Konstantinos Routoulas.
Good Wednesday, April 20th 2022
The anointing the Lord myrrh prostitute woman. Day in which the Eucharist and Holy Unction is glorified in the Churches.
07:00 Mass of Hours and Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
10:00 The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (A ')
17:00 The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (B ')
19:30 Bridegroom's service
Good Thursday, April 21st 2022
Four events from the last moments of the Lord: Holy Washbasin, Last Supper (tradition of the Sacrament of Holy Communion), Prayer of Jesus on the Mount of Olives and his surrender to martyrdom.
07:30 Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
Holy Thursday is the day when red eggs are traditionally dyed. The Twelve Gospels are read in all the Churches and the Epitaphs are decorated. In the evening, following the Holy Passion, the choirs give their own color and tone.
12:00 Nafplio - Square of the Three Admirals
From 12:00 noon, in the Three Admirals' Square in front of the City Hall, the Municipality of Nafplio and its Cultural organization offers dyed red eggs to visitors and to all passers-by.
19:00 Mass of Holy Passions (The Twelve Gospels)
Nafplio, Holy Church of Genesis of the Virgin (Panagia): the Ecclesiastical Choir of the homonymous church chants the hymn "Today Hangs" and the "Blessings", under the direction of Mr. Theodosius Antoniadis.
Nafplio, Pilgrimage Church of Agios Anastasios: the choir of the homonymous church chants in the Mass of the Holy Passions (Twelve Gospels) under the direction of the choirmaster Mr. Konstantinos Routoulas.
Good Friday, April 22nd 2022
The Holy and horrible Passion of the Lord. It is the day of the Unnailing and the procession of the Epitaphs.
09:00 Mass of the Great Hours
10:30 Evening Mass of the Unnailing
After the Great Mass of the Unnailing, "Symphony", the Female Vocal Ensemble of Nafplio, under the direction of Theodosius Antoniadis, will sing the praises of Good Friday and religious hymns, in the courtyard of the Temples of the city of Nafplio.
19:00 Nafplio - Mass of the Epitaph of Mourning.
In the evening, choral groups participate in the Mass of the Epitaph.
Nafplio, Holy Church of Agios Anastasios: the choir of the homonymous church chants in the Mass of the Epitaph of Lamentation and the Praises, under the direction of the choirmaster Mr. Konstantinos Routoulas.
Nafplio, Church of the Genesis of the Virgin Mary (Panagia): the Ecclesiastical Choir of the Church, under the direction of Theodosius Antoniadis, sings the hymns and the mourning procession "funebre" and "E Gennae Passae".
Nafplio, Holy "Evangelistria" Church: the Nafplio Choir Workshop with its polyphonic and youth choir chants praises of the day.
21:15 Nafplio - Beginning of the Procession of Epitaphs
The processions of the epitaphs of Good Friday in the historic center of Nafplio have a different color and follow a kind of ritual, which make the event more impressive. The processions of the epitaphs come out in a defined order from each church and meet in the center of the city, in Syntagma Square. Throughout the route, the municipality will place lighted candles, which metaphorically point the way, while the DOPPAT Philharmonic will accompany playing mourning processions.
21:00 Tolo beach
One of the most beautiful and original customs is the procession of the Epitaph in Tolo, into the sea. After the procession of the Epitaph around the district, the procession ends at the sea, to bless and sanctify the waters. The spectacle is majestic, impressive and is accompanied by boats and myrrh-bearers, who sing with enthusiasm.
Good Saturday, April 23rd 2022
The Godly Burial and the Descent of the Lord into Hades
07:30 Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
11:00 the First Resurrection
The events and customs of Holy Saturday are, perhaps, the best moments of Easter in Nafplio. It is the day when we pass from the mourning of the epitaph to the joy of the first Resurrection, which takes place here at 11:00 am. The bells of the Churches ring joyfully.
11:30 Kantia
In Kandia, after the end of the Vespers of Holy Saturday and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, the Cultural Landscaping and Educational Association of Kandia will offer cookies and red eggs, in the courtyard of the village's Holy Church.
23:00 Mass of Holy Light
On the night of Holy Saturday at 23:00, the Resurrection Liturgy begins and outside the churches at midnight, the faithful along with chanting "Christ is Risen", will enjoy the colorful fans of fireworks.
24:00 Orthros and Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection
Easter Sunday, April 24th 2022
00:00 Orthros and Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection
The day dedicated to the roasting of the traditional lamb, to the crunching of red eggs and to the burning of Judas.
18:30 Assini
In Asini, the custom of burning the statue of the disciple of Christ Judas is revived, which is an element of punishment and purification of betrayal.
20:30 Tolo beach
At 20:30 in Tolo, after the "Love" Mass, the burning of Judas takes place in a spectacular way on a floating platform, which is visible from all over the bay of Tolo.
Easter Monday, April 25th 2022
07:00 Festive Orthros Mass and Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection in all churches
Did you know that?
During Holy Week, under the responsibility of the Municipality of Nafplio and the Municipal Organization of Culture, Environment and Sports, the churches in the city of Nafplio will be specially illuminated, giving a unique touch to the atmosphere of the Week of the Holy Passion.
From Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday, digital works of art with religious content with themes of Holy Week will be displayed in Syntagma Square.
