Επιταφιος - Greek Orthodox Good Friday Procession

“Good Friday or Holy Friday is a very holy day in the orthodox faith. It is a day of mourning and the church bells will ring slow and steady through the day. People will be flocking to the church at all times of the day for prayers. It is a day of no work (or cooking). In the evening, a procession will leave the church, headed by the priest and his close followers, going round the neighbourhood streets to eventually return to the church. All the neighbourhood will be out, lining the streets to watch as the procession passes by. Some will follow behind, once it has passed to return to the church. In some communities, at the head of the procession, the church leaders will be carrying a bier on their shoulders, which will be decorated with many flowers and in the centre will be a symbolic icon of Christ. This procession represents the path Jesus’ followers took, removing his body off the cross and taking it to the grave. The people gathered along the streets are lamenting the death of Christ. This procession is called Epitafios.“ Source: