A centuries-old tradition, the burning of Judas, will be revived at 9 pm on Holy Saturday in the square of the mountain village of Palaion Roumata, in the municipality of Platanias in Chania.

The custom is found in many areas of Crete and throughout Greece, however in the area of ​​Paleo Roumata it presents elements that inspired the organizers based on tradition.

The revival of the old Easter custom on the night of the Resurrection is organized by the Folk Library Association of Paleon Roumata in co-organization with the Municipality of Platanias.

The event, according to the organizers, includes guarding Judas, stealing a neighboring Judas (from a neighboring parish), preventing the stealing of a Roumatian Judas, and burning. At the end, traditional Easter potlucks will be offered to those present.

The Stealing of Judas

Until the 70s this custom was observed by the young people of the village who “stole” the Jews from the villages of the neighboring parishes of Fotakado, Kechres (it was then a separate parish) and burned the effigies in the square of the Old Rivers.

The custom only stopped during the seven-year period when the colonel’s government did not allow it to be performed. When the republic was restored the residents of the area not only continued the custom but instead of one they set up seven heads of Judas (as many years as the seven years of the colonels) and burned them symbolically in the village square.

Since then the custom faded and although it was observed every year, it was simplified since the young people of the village were few. This year, on the initiative of the new board of directors of the Public Library Association, the custom will come alive again in the square of the Old Rivers.