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Burning of Judas Celebrations
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When:
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27 Apr 2008 (annual)
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Where:
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Agios Nikolaos
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| Costs: |
Free
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For the discerning tourist, the colourful town of Agios Nikolaos is an infamous treasure trove of archaeology, Greek history and myth. Its Anastassi, or Easter celebrations, culminate in an explosive evening of festivities.
Easter Sunday night sees thousands of Cretans gathering around the nearby lake (a beautiful nature spot of red rocks and conifers), bearing candles to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. The tension heightens as an effigy of Judas is set alight, but the silence is swiftly broken by the sounds of scores of firecrackers.
Visitors to the island should not think of this time as all fun and fiesta. Easter is the overriding highlight in the Orthodox calendar and sees the vast proportion of the population attending church every night of the Holy Week. Traditionally, church congregations recognise Easter by recounting Christ's Passion - the events leading up to and including the death of Christ.
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