The customs of Lambri vary in Magnesiaespecially in the days leading up to it Holy Easter and some of them have roots deep in the past, such as in Skiathos, the homeland of the world champion of our literature, Alexandros Papadiamantis, but also in Volos, which adapted to the modern demands of urban life in the capital of Magnesia.

In its wider area Volosthroughout Holy Week, the famous tsipouradikas of Volos have their place of honor, since they are overwhelmed by people, locals and visitors for the Lenten seafood delicacies, while on Good Friday it is now customary, immediately after the procession of the Epitaphs, to they all end up in some tsipouradiki, as a counterpoint to the “blessing”, the meal offered after the funeral.

A little earlier, all the epitaphs of the churches of the center of Volos, they head and meet at the central beach where psalms and “…O sweet ear” are heard.

On Good Friday thousands of believers flock to the monastery of Panagia Xenia, at the foot of Othryos, where on the so-called hill of Golgotha, a faithful representation of the Deposition of Christ takes place and then his burial in a cave, which is sealed with cork wax, according to tradition until the next resurrection day. The custom was established for the first time in 1976, by the then Metropolitan Dimitriados and then Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos.

In the Sporades and specifically in Skiathosan atmosphere of gloom and mourning characterizes the island throughout Holy Week, since it is perhaps the only region in Greece where the Agioritiko Typiko is observed, i.e. as defined in the monasteries of Mount Athos, in terms of the Epitaph Sequence.

On Good Friday, in a heavy atmosphere, the Epitaph is carried on the shoulders of the locals, descends through the stone cobbled streets of old Skiathos around one after midnight, while a peddler, called a prexarchon, sings and recites the mournful psalms as forerunner of the Epitaph that follows.

The procession of the Epitaph begins at dusk at the Monastery of Evangelistria where the whole island gathers, the procession follows with absolute delight through the forest and ends again at the temple, so that the Skiathites can then return to Chora.

The gathering of the Epitaphs of the Country takes place in the Cathedral of the Three Hierarchs, in the square above the old port of Skiathos, where today the area is known as the “Pillow Stairs”. The faithful gather from all the churches of Chora, i.e. the Epitaphs of Agios Nikolaos and Panagia Limnia and follow the procession of the Epitaphs in every corner of Skiathos with candles in their hands.

All the houses on the island are illuminatedwhile in the courtyards the lighted candles and burning incense emit aromas, creating an overwhelming atmosphere.

The procession of the Epitaphs lasts all night, until dawn and the return to the churches takes place around 5.30 in the morning. There, the priests perform the representation of Christ’s “Descent into Hell” and while the “Arate Pylas” is being chanted, the priest opens the outer door of the Holy Temple by knocking loudly.

A few hours later, on Holy Saturday morning, the faithful will return to the church for the Liturgy of the First Resurrection. The bells will ring joyfully all over the island to spread to all parts of Skiathos the victory of life over death, while the priest blows the faithful with bay leaves, a symbol of victory and triumph.

On Easter Sundaythe entire island is dominated by the feast with the roasting of the obelia and locals and visitors participate.