Are you ready to experience the best Easter holidays of your life? If yes, travel to Crete in our picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos! 

Agios Nikolaos, the municipality of Lasithi prefecture, is a small town with a population of 15.000. The beautiful and relaxing seaside town offers great beaches, wonderful views of its lake Voulismeni, amazing food, and warm, welcoming weather.

Easter in Agios Nikolaos

Easter is the most important Christian holiday. In Agios Nikolaos the traditional celebration is truly engaging, as it takes place in the lake, in the center of the town. The preparations for Holy Saturday’s Resurrection celebration start almost a week earlier, with the local people creating a straw mannequin of Judas and hanging it in the middle of the lake on a raft. When the clock strikes 12:00 am on Holy Saturday, a ball of fire from the sky hits Judas and he burns in the middle of the lake offering a breathtaking spectacle.

Tradition and customs

During Holy Saturday night, people with their friends and families head to the lake to find a good spot in order to watch the burning ritual. As soon as the clock strikes midnight and the priest on the edge of the lake chants ”Christos Anesti” (Jesus has risen), the flame hits Judas and the sky lights up with fireworks! The holy flame gets passed around on people’s candles and everybody says “Christos Anesti”. After that, the families gather at home where the traditional maghiritsa soup is served.

Spectacular fireworks celebration

Just at “Christos Anesti” the much-anticipated fireworks celebration begins. The sky lights up and different mesmerizing shapes and colors appear above the magical scenery of the lake. Its a unique experience that takes place only a few meters away from our complex.

Are you intrigued by what you just read? Agios Nikolaos Municipality created a video for Easter 2017 with footage from previous years. Have a taste 😉