With Orthodox Christians worldwide awaiting the hopeful message of Resurrection, a distinctive element is the so-called “First” or Little Resurrection, which takes place on the morning of Holy Saturday and serves as a prelude to the great night of the Resurrection, bearing strong characteristics of foreshadowing, transition from mourning to joy and from silence to life.
The sounds of the first Resurrection were already heard at Panagia Faneromeni or the Holy Church of the Foreigners, located in the historic center of Corfu. The service with the first joyful message began, as every year, shortly after 6 AM with chandeliers and church stalls being shaken, followed by the breaking of clay pots at 11:00 AM.
The first Resurrection in Corfu
“Gloria” in Zakynthos striking metals
With deafening noise, the first Resurrection “Gloria” also took place at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Zakynthos, where a reenactment of the earthquake from the New Testament occurs.
Young people strike metal objects, old containers, barrels, and tin cans, maintaining the tradition, which they have adapted to their own circumstances, as in the past they used to strike the church stalls and clay objects to represent the earthquake and the Lord’s Resurrection.
The special first Resurrection in Chios
An atmosphere of devotion flooded the morning of Holy Saturday at the Holy Church of Panagia Evangelistria in Chios, where the first Resurrection was conducted by the “flying priest” who every year throws the palm branches in his characteristic aerial style and goes viral.
Naxos Metropolis “shook” during the first Resurrection
With particular splendor and intense symbolism, the first Resurrection was celebrated on the morning of Holy Saturday in Naxos, marking the prelude to the great Orthodox celebration.
At the Holy Metropolis of Naxos, the atmosphere was unique. Upon hearing “Arise, O God, judge the earth, for you shall inherit all nations,” the church literally shook as the faithful struck and vigorously shook the stalls, creating a powerful, rhythmic sound that captures the symbolism of the moment.
At the same time, the church chandeliers moved to the same rhythm, representing the earthquake that, according to tradition, accompanied Christ’s Resurrection.
Holy Fire arrives in Greece on Holy Saturday afternoon
The Holy Fire ceremony will take place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem under strict restrictions, and the Holy Fire is expected in the afternoon at El. Venizelos Airport, from where it will be transported throughout Greece. The procession of epitaphs took place yesterday across Greece in an atmosphere of devotion.
A special mission will depart by aircraft from Greece to Tel Aviv, with the crew remaining at Ben Gurion Airport and the delegation being transported by road to Jerusalem to receive the Holy Fire. The procession will move from the Patriarchate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre via an internal route, with police presence to control access.
Yannis Loverdos stated characteristically: “Certainly things are difficult. We have done everything necessary for the transport to proceed normally, as last year, as in previous years. We informed the Israeli authorities that on the morning of Holy Saturday at 7 AM the plane will depart from the air base in Eleusis.”
