Holy Week

St. Irene, the little church that stands next to our home, high above the Cretan sea.

Hello dear readers, it's Holy Week here in Greece, a peaceful and quiet time, when the Greek Orthodox Church relives the last days of Jesus' life, beginning Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday.

Allium Subhirsutum dot the perimeter of an old Olive tree, softening its rugged, claw-like trunk.

Days are spent cleaning and preparing 

our home for the celebratory feast.

A close up of Allium Subhirsutum, commonly known as Hairy Garlic.

Church services in the evenings, bring people

together in prayer and unity, at this most 

solemn time, days before Christ is crucified.

The hilly meadow behind our home. A petaled path strikes one's curiosity to follow it.

We follow Him to His death on the cross, and mourn at His 
funeral, in the Service of Lamentations, on Good Friday.

Fresh beginnings are evident all around the village. Here, new vine leaves bask in the midday sun.

Then, alas, at the stroke of midnight, on Holy Saturday, 

we rejoice, 'Christos Anesti!' (Christ is Risen!), as our

 hearts are filled with the joy and hope of His rebirth.

For a more detailed account of Greek Orthodox Easter,

please visit my first post, here. To my friends who 

celebrate, wishing you a most blessed Easter.

xo

Poppy