April 14, 2012

A Unique Epitaphion in Ouranoupoli

 
In Ouranoupolis the women have a unique way of decorating the Epitaphion - with thousands of pearls and flowers. Preparations began a month ago when women gathered more than 70,000 pearls and 30,000 flowers to make their Epitaphion into a real jewel. This is a tradition in Ouranoupolis that goes back ten years and attracts thousands of visitors in the peninsula area. Each year the women choose a Byzantine pattern, usually taken from Mount Athos, then they decide on the colors, order the flowers and pearls, and then both old and young participate in the decorating. On Good Friday evening everyone then takes part in the procession with the Epitaphion through the streets of the village.