Thanks to its large Catholic community, Syros celebrates Easter differently than the rest of Greece, having developed many customs that are unique to the Cycladic island. What is most important, however, is that here, Orthodox Christians and Catholics celebrate Easter together in a show of social acceptance and unity.
On Holy Tuesday, at the Orthodox Church of Aghios Nikolaos – the patron saint of Syros – you can hear the choir of men and women chant the Hymn of Kassiani (Hymn of the Fallen Woman).
© Visualhellas.gr
On the evening of Good Friday, the procession of the Epitaph at the Catholic Cathedral of Saint George in Ano Syros is not to be missed, while in Ermoupoli, the Epitaphs from the various Orthodox churches meet at the square in front of the imposing City Hall building, accompanied by a choir and philharmonic orchestra.
On the night of Holy Saturday, make your way up to the Church of Anastaseos tou Sotiros (Church of the Resurrection of the Savior), the grand Orthodox church atop the hill to the right of the port. From there, you can enjoy the fireworks as they light up the sky over Ermoupoli.
© Angelos Giotopoulos
What to do
Syros is an ideal destination for short excursions. Ermoupoli, with its impressive neoclassical stately houses, is truly an architectural gem, while the old working-class neighborhood of Ano Syros, with its beautiful whitewashed backstreets and the Catholic Cathedral of Saint George and the village of Podeidonia, located in the wilder north, with its magnificent country villas of yesteryear, have their own charm.
© Alexandros Petrakis
Ermoupoli offers many options in terms of accommodation, food, coffee, and nightlife, as well as experiences that will bring you in touch with the island’s rich history. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Industrial Museum of Ermoupoli (11 Georgiou Papandreou Street, Ermoupoli, Tel. (+30) 22810.847.62, weekdays 10:00-15:30 except for Wednesday, Saturday 18:00-20:00). The museum takes you on a journey through the modern history of not only Syros and the Cyclades but also of Greece in general.
If you would like to discover the lesser-known northern side of the island, drive to the village of San Michali, where, provided the weather permits, you can see the islands of Mykonos and Tinos to the east, while to the west, the sunset will take your breath away. For those who like hiking, Syros offers a network of trails: an enjoyable trail begins from San Michali, passes through the prehistoric settlement of Kastri, and continues to the Church of Panagia Chalandriani, which offers beautiful views.
