Easter, the biggest Greek Orthodox religious feast is celebrated in Cyprus with great solemnity.
This year the Holy Week begins on the 10th of April (Holy Monday) and ends on the 16th of April (Easter Sunday).
Evening services take place throughout the Holy Week and traditional games are organised in many villages on Easter Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. (17 - 18/4/2017).
As the Services of the Holy Week coincide with Spring, the divine Passions seem to relate to the passions and resurrection of Nature and man.
Easter in Deryneia District:
Deryneia Municipality: www.deryneia.org.cy
Timetable of Holy Masses:
Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Thursday at 19:00
Holy Friday, ‘Hours of the morning’ at 07:00 and the Epitaphios at 19:00
Holy Saturday, Holy Liturgy at 19:30, the Paschal Service at 23:00 and the ‘Kalos Logos’ (GoodWord) is chanted at midnight.
Traditional Easter Festival ''Kalifes" - Easter Monday 17th of April¨ - Deryneia
The "Easter Kalifes" are, according to witnesses, the oldest custom of Deryneia having been maintained until today.
According to information gathered, the Easter games were organised for the first time approximately 100 years ago, presumably before 1900 and the programme included horse races, street games, competitions and of course musical entertainment, traditional Cyprus song competitions, dances and much more.
In recent years the events have been taking place at Panagia Square Deryneia at mid-day on Easter Monday. As a large happening attracting many foreign visitors it offers a large variety of traditional and folk music and dances of various dance groups like the Dance Ensemble of the Municipality.
Programme of the Traditional Easter Festival "Kalifes"
"The Games and Kalifes(Shacks) of Easter" Cultural Events: Music and Dancing Performances
Kiosk will serve special Meze food, drinks and sweets
Venue:
Square of Virgin Mary Church in Deryneia
Deryneia, Ammochostos, Cyprus
From Monday, April 10, 2017
To Monday, April 17, 2017
