The burning of Judas in the middle of the lake of Agios Nikolaos, on the night of the Resurrection, is a custom which is identified with the area and which every year gathers not only the locals but also the visitors of the area, around the idyllic lake.

“As far as I remember and know from the descriptions of older people, for forty years the custom has been observed with reverence and I think that it is now one of the most characteristic elements for our region, during the Holy Saturday” he told APE- MPE the Deputy Mayor of Digital Governance of the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos Haris Alexakis. He pointed out that since the morning of Holy Saturday, young people who have gathered branches, build a makeshift floating base like a raft and place the gallows, from which the figure of Judas hangs, on it.

The raft, with the help of a boatman, is moved to the center of the lake and the fire reaches from the top of the hill, with the help of floating ropes to keep the construction stable.

Here’s how the custom takes place:

“It is a unique sight on the evening of Holy Saturday where the people around the lake with lit candles of the Resurrection, share the resurrection message and exchange wishes with acquaintances as well as visitors” emphasized Mr. Alexakis, who noted that in essence with this custom, the tourist season opens every year.

“Besides, there are not a few visitors either from Greece or from abroad who very consciously choose these days to visit our place and they tell us that one of the reasons is this unique custom” concluded the Deputy Mayor for Digital Governance of the Municipality Saint Nicola’s.